How to Build a Computer Step by Step

So you want a computer, but you don't want the hassle of purchasing it from Dell, HP or Gateway, since they always want to sell you over priced upgrades or void your warranty for a memory upgrade. This is a good idea on your part you still retain a manufacturers warranty on each of the products you install to create your PC. These warranties extend typically as long as the manufacture warranty for a prebuilt from Dell. Ironic, not really Dell buys the same components you do and these components when they go out are returned to the manufacturer by dell.

Do you have a local computer store?
The first thing you will need to do is find a computer store near you. This is becoming more and more of a task any more, but I can suggest a company for you that deals in on-line computer component sales and often has the best pricing Tiger direct. Now if you have found your dealer it's time to look at the components.

Shopping online,
If your looking at tiger direct right now like I know I would be. Then you have an opportunity to take a look at their pre built systems. These are prefab systems but not name brand. Tiger puts the components together and sells them as complete units. Custom built you can even upgrade them if you want much like ordering from dell. However, Tiger doesn't have dells nasty pitfall the voiding of your warranty if you open the case to add more ram. Each of the components installed in your PC will still retain a factory warranty, which will be provided to you upon delivery of your new computer. How cool is that?

Bare bones and what it means,
If you don't see any pre built systems you'd like. Have a look in the bare bones deals section as you browse this area look for things that appeal to you such as a quad core processor. If your into Internet browsing and on-line gaming processing power and memory are very important to you. Once you go to the final check out you will notice that they have suggestions pertaining to your purchase on the side bar. Look through these quickly as they can help you make sure you got everything you needed.

Now I should address the question what do you need for a complete computer, in no particular order.

- Processor also known as "CPU" or (Central processing unit), this component is the center of your computer without it nothing works and with a good center everything else works better.

- Processor fan or other coolant device, "I don't know maybe you want a water block?" without some specialized form of cooling your processor can literally melt down in about 2 seconds flat.

- Main board, "If this has on-board audio and video you can skip the next two items." This is another important part of your computer. Everything you install will in some way connect to this board which is why it's called the main board

- Video Card, "depending on whether or not your main board comes with on-board video" This is only a really important part when it pertains to gaming, otherwise a cheap video card is fine for most tasks.

- Sound Card, "Depending on your board you may not need this as many boards today come with on board audio" Audio is not that important unless your computer is being built to specialize in audio recordings and you need a lot of audio inputs and control.

- RAM "Memory", This is so your computer has someplace to store information before passing it to your Processor. You need as much of this as you can get. Next to the processor, it's the single most important part of your computer and slow memory hurts your over all performance.

- Hard drive or solid state memory, to install the operating system on. It's up to you solid state is faster and for the most part more reliable. However, it only allows so many writes to a bit before that bit is rendered dead. This device will hold every bit of information you have on your computer. From the programs you use, to the music you store, and videos you watch. Bigger really is better for the typical home user.

- CD-ROM,DVD-ROM,Blu-ray drive, DVD burner, CD burner, depending on your needs you may pick one or two of these to install. Depending on how much you will be watching movies on your PC you may want to install a DVD/Blu-ray player, and if you want to copy DVDs and even burn your own then you will need a burner.

- Computer Chassis, these come in a few form factors make sure you match your boards form factor to your Chassis. This part houses the rest of your components and as such, you should take care in deciding how you want your computer to look. Also consider where it will be placed. If you want to have your computer act as a DVR, then you will likely want to go with a sleek but versatile Chassis. Conversely if you want an expandable easy to work on gaming computer, or home PC you should go with a nice looking mid Tower.

- Operating system, unless you want to steal one off the Internet "This guide won't be covering stolen operating systems for obvious legal reasons" However, Linux is free and open source, so I will include some links later in the article to where you can download some of these distributions free.

- Networking card, without the networking card you will find it very difficult to get Internet and I don't suggest a modem because no one uses them anymore not in a home PC anyway often times this can be found on your main board as an integrated device.

Checking Compatabilities,
Now that you know what you need. Lets look at how you can determine if the devices you choose are compatible. The easiest way to determine that all devices will be compatible is to check the compatibilities of the main board. What kind of ram does it accept? What kind of processor can you use, and is it PCI-E or AGP? Since they don't sell many AGP cards anymore this isn't much of a concern

Processors,
Choose your processor first AMD or Intel I could tell you all about both sides of the debate for which is better. But then I'd be writing forever, in reality both are pretty equal competitors in the market. With the one big push being that Nvidia is still leader of the graphics market, and is tied to Intel now. If you are building a gaming rig I would go for an Intel so that you can take advantage of SLI with the best video cards on the market

Main board,
Once you have decided on your processor pick out a main board that supports it. Things to look for in a main board are, size, number of PCI expansion slots, and on-board features. If your looking for a low budget Internet browser PC, then get a main board with everything on board. Don't forget to purchase a cooling device for your processor.

Memory,
The next thing to decide is what memory to use, check your main board specs to see how much memory you can install max, and what the fastest speed of memory is for that board. Installing the best memory available for the board will give you a significant performance boost. The next Device on your agenda is the hard drive.

Hard Drives,
Nearly all hard drives are created equal these days your choices are SATA, or IDE. Both are supported on 90% of the boards sold. There really isn't an issue of compatibility here. Now for your Chassis, check the form factor of the chassis make sure it's not smaller then the main board you are going to put in it. Common form factor for boards and chassis are SFF(Small Form Factor),MT(Mid Tower), and full size tower. The names are pretty self descriptive.

CD-ROM DVD-ROM or Blu-Ray,
There's only one device left to get, an input method your going to need some way to get data onto your computer. Games and programs don't just install themselves, you need a media reader of some sort. By now you should have your mind made up on which kind you would like Blu-ray, DVD, or CD-ROM go ahead and get it now.

Assembly the easy way,
With all your components purchased, if you chose to order through tiger direct. You will find an option on the purchase page to pay an extra $30 for them to assemble it for you. If you are a novice this is a good idea. Once you get your computer delivered it will have no operating system on it. You will need to have purchased windows with it or you will have to download Linux from a friends computer and burned it to a CD for install on your new computer.

The OS,
http://www.linux.org/dist/ This site will get you started on downloading a Linux distribution, for install on your new computer. Once you have downloaded an install CD and burned it to disc, you can install it much like you would install windows. Just insert the disc into your CD drive turn the computer on and follow instructions.

Congratulations your done!
Congratulations, you have just built your home computer, and saved a lot of money on costly repairs from corporate conglomerates that hate you, and learned something new. Though there is a lot to remember here it's really easy once you get the hang of it and while you browse the web site of your choosing you can pop back over to this article for consult if you need to.