(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Have you ever thought about building your own computer? Actually buying a motherboard and a case *along with all the supporting components and assembling the whole thing yourself?

Here are three reasons why you might want to consider taking the plunge:

1.You will be able to create a custom machine that exactly matches your needs.
2.It will be much easier to upgrade your machine in the future because you will understand it completely.
3.You may be able to save some money.
And, if you have never done it before, you will definitely learn a lot about computers.

*In this thread, we'll take you through the entire process of building a computer. You'll learn how to choose the parts you will use, how to buy them and how to put them all together. When you're done, you will have exactly the machine that you need. Let's get started.


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yes some of this was copy and paste but MOST of it was my own typing =D

[multipage=What you Want]

*The first step in building a computer is deciding what type of machine you want to build. Do you want a really inexpensive computer for the kids to use? A small, quiet machine to use as a media computer in the living room? A high-end gaming computer? Or maybe you need a powerful machine with a lot of disk space for video editing. The possibilities are endless, and the type of machine you want to build will control many of the decisions you make down the line. Therefore, it is important to know exactly what you want the machine to accomplish from the start.*


*Let's imagine that you want to build a powerful video editing computer. You want it to have a dual-core CPU, lots of RAM and a terabyte of disk space. You also want to have FireWire connectors on the motherboard. These requirements are going to cause you to look for a motherboard that supports:

•ual-core CPUs (either Intel or AMD)
•At least 4GB of high-speed RAM
•Four (or more) SATA hard drives
•FireWire connections (possibly in both the front and back of the case)
*Then it all needs to go in a case with enough space to hold multiple hard disks and enough air *flow to keep everything cool.

[multipage=Required Stuff]
Required tools list

* Phillips Screwdriver ( preferably magnetized in case any screws drop inside the case )
* Small / Medium Flat bladed screw driver
* Thin nosed pliers
* Clean working environment
* Selection of small screws - these should come with any new computer case

Required Componets:
Computer cases today come in a huge variety of designs , specifications and prices .

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When looking for a case make sure it is large enough for any future add-ons such as extra cards , hard drives , DVD writers etc. How to build a computer from scratch article


A lot of the time computer cases do come with power supplies , but if your looking for a beefed up power supply , it’s generally better to get a case without and purchase separately.

Also make sure the power supply is compatible with the later generation of motherboards, they may have an extra 4 pin connector in addition to the main connector , which connects to the motherboard.

Compatible Motherboard , Processor , Heatsink and Fan

When it comes to the motherboard, shop around and look for a motherboard and processor deal, this way it works out cheaper and you know it’s all going to be compatible. How to build a computer from scratch article

RAM

When it comes to Computer RAM , it’s never enough so better to over spec a little here, minimum of 2gb.

Graphics Card / Video Card


When it comes to video cards, there are plenty to choose from,
How to build a computer from scratch article

Sound Card


Sound cards today come in all flavours, in terms of prices the difference is huge,
Network Card " NIC "


Do you need a network card ? , a network card only costs a few bucks so it’s down to you.
Maybe the motherboard already has one built in. When it comes to a choice of USB or RJ45 network cards, the better choice is the RJ45 type, it does not tie up a USB port that will probably be needed for other peripherals , and unlike USB , RJ45 does not put as much of a load on the processor.

Hard Drive IDE/SATA Interface


The hard drive always a much under estimated part of the system, it really can make your system crawl or fly.
CD / DVD Drive


You’ll need a CD / DVD drive to be able to install Windows once the computer is built, you just have to decide if you want.
Floppy Drive


To be honest you could probably do without a floppy drive, I have one, but can’t remember the last time I used it.
If you need to transfer data quickly, buy a USB pen drive, even a small one will hold the same amount as about 40 floppy disks and will only cost the same as a floppy drive.
2 High Density IDE/SATA Cables

To connect the CD/DVD & Hard drives “ make sure the cable is the high density type or even the fastest hard drive will be slow “

1 Floppy Drive Cable (not usually required now)


Again only if you decide to have a floppy drive in your system
How to build a computer from scratch article

Power Cord / Mains Cable


Lastly don’t forget you’ll need a power cord / cable

[multipage=INSTRUCIONS]

Determine your price range and what tasks you want your computer to perform. A computer used for standard activities like Web browsing and word processing will not require as many parts or as much money as one built for playing the latest games or doing graphic design work.

2
Buy a computer case and motherboard that fits the case. The motherboard is the most important component of the computer, since all the other parts must interface with it, so make sure the one you get has the type of slots for RAM and audio/video cards that you want. The motherboard should come with screws to mount it into your case.

3
Pick a processor and install it into your motherboard. Make sure the processor is one that works in your motherboard. To install the processor, insert it in the square-shaped slot on the motherboard and use the metal bindings to clip it in place.

4
Purchase RAM for your motherboard and install it. Buy at least 1 GB of RAM, and if you are planning to run your computer on Windows Vista, buy at least 2 GB of RAM. Again, you must make sure the RAM is a type that works with your motherboard. To install the RAM, press the sticks down into the parallel slots on your motherboard that are the same length. There will be two plastic clips on either end that snap around the sticks as you push them into place. Push down on both clips if you want to remove a stick.

5
Choose and install peripheral devices. You may already own an extra DVD or CD drive from a previous computer that can be mounted in the device slots of your new tower. Depending on your motherboard, you may also need to purchase and install a video card, audio card, Ethernet card or modems. Some motherboards have audio, video and Ethernet capabilities built-in. If you intend to use your computer for games, you should not get one with a built-in video card.

6
Purchase and install cooling devices such as case fans and a heat sink with fan for your processor. At the very least, every computer needs a heat sink and fan mounted over the processor. Cases also come with grated openings where fans can be mounted. You should buy and install case fans for every such opening on your case to increase airflow and limit the possibility of overheating.

7
Find and install a hard drive. Your tower will have a at least one if not several slots where a hard drive can slip in and be mounted. Make sure to note weather your motherboard can use SATA or IDE hard drives. SATA is a newer and faster interface, so if you have the option, get a SATA drive. Once your hard drive is installed, connect it to your motherboard with the SATA or IDE cable it comes with.

8
Install a power supply. The power supply is mounted in the upper rear of the case, and is where your computer is turned on and off. Inside your tower, a mass of cables will come out of the power supply. Attach power to your motherboard, peripheral devices, hard drives, cards and fans as needed. Usually a power supply will have more cords than you will need.

9
Install your motherboard BIOS by using the CD or floppy disk that came with your motherboard.

10
Buy an operating system and install it by inserting the install CD into your DVD/CD drive and following the setup instructions. After your computer is up and running, install drivers for your other devices using the CDs they came with. After you install drivers for your network card, log onto the Internet and download an antivirus program, or load one from a CD.



Read more: How to Build a Computer From Scratch | eHow.com You must login or register to view this content.


[multipage=Adding Ram]
Because we all hear news of computer technology getting faster and faster, we expect a lot when we purchase a new desktop. We figure from the moment we start up the system, everything will be fast and easy. Running applications and switching between several programs will take no time at all, and the act of opening your Web browser will take place in a flash.


In the beginning, it may be very much like this. But as time passes and you add new applications and acquire a lot more data on your hard drive, chances are your computer will react a lot slower. After a while, starting up your computer might take several minutes, an eternity compared to the day when you first switched the machine on. But it's no surprise that your computer's growing slower. Just think about all of the things you use your computer for. Are you one of those people who like to edit and organize digital photos? If so, you're probably filling your hard drive with a seemingly endless number of pictures from memory cards. Or perhaps you like to capture home movies on digital video, which can take up even more storage and processing power. And, like many others, you may store large libraries of MP3 files on your desktop, too. Your computer has to manage the software that you use to work with these files. If you think about your computer having to run all of these programs at the same time, you start to understand how much pressure we place on desktops.

So, do you have to accept an abysmally slow desktop, or can you actually take action? Fortunately, there's an easy and inexpensive way to adjust if you want to keep up with a digital world that never seems to slow down. Simply adding to or upgrading your existing random access memory (RAM), can make a noticeable difference in your desktop's processing performance.

---------- Post added at 03:26 AM ---------- Previous post was at 03:25 AM ----------

Please tell me if i have missed anything

Should help very much with my current endeavours!

Well i must say i do not think i'll be building my own computer from scratch anytime soon but nice tutorial.

i know its not the most practical thing but it opens up otions you couldnt have if you just bough one from the store and some people actually want those extra features
the laptop im using to write this i actually built myself =D lol

lol Build your own computer. that will be so hard.

it actually pretty easy i built my first computer on my first try lol
you just need to know how to put different things together ... LIKE LEGOSlol

Nah nevermind everytime i play LEGOS , it'll messed up in 5 minutes, my lil bro become a "godzilla" and crash my legos. So no. :carling:

maybe you should teach him a few lessons :bat: hahaha jkjk

I love building computers. I'll be getting a job at a computer repair shop soon.

wow good thread i cant use it but still good