When I put each component of a computer together, my senses come to life. I smell the stale air as I open each component’s box. I feel the snap of the 24-pin motherboard connector slotting into its respective location. I hear each fan accelerate to 5000 RPM as the computer takes its first breath. I see each LED light up and shine in vivid RGB through the tempered glass panel. And when every part comes together, I taste the success of a completed build.
Most people tend to think of building a computer as examining a complicated circuit board and soldering various connections to points on the circuit board. However, this couldn’t be any farther from the truth. Building a computer is similar to putting legos together, every part has a respective slot and clicks right in.
Although it’s simple to put a computer together when you have all the parts, you’re going to need the components if you plan on building a computer. These components are:
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● Motherboard: This is what connects every part of your computer together and allows
each component to communicate with each other.
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● CPU (Central Processing Unit): You can think of this as the brain of your computer. It
does the basic arithmetic and calculations in your computer.
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● RAM (Random Access Memory): RAM is what stores data in your computer very
temporarily, allowing it to run. Has your computer or phone ever lagged when you
opened too many tabs? You didn’t have enough RAM.
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● Storage: You can get storage in two forms, Hard Disk Drives (HDD) and Solid State
Drives (SSD). HDDs carry more space for cheaper but are relatively slow. SSDs are more
expensive for the storage amount but work very quickly.
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● GPU (Graphics Processing Unit): A GPU is what allows you to see anything on your
screen. It calculates how each pixel on your computer should appear and sends a message
to your monitor to display images. You can get a dedicated GPU if you are going to do
intensive things like gaming or you can rely on the integrated graphics in your CPU
which is perfect for watching youtube and doing homework.
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● Power Supply Unit (PSU): This is the heart of your PC. It takes electricity from your
outlet and distributes it to your computer, giving it life.
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● Case: The case for your computer is what everything is housed in. Every component of
your computer should fit cleanly into your case and some cases even have spaces for you
to hide wires, making your computer look cleaner.
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● Operating Software: Buy Windows 10 from Microsoft
Some optional components are:
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● LEDs for a vibrant, colorful computer.
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● Extra case fans for better cooling in your computer so components don’t overheat.
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● Sound Card for better audio quality.
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● Network Card for a better connection to your WiFi.
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● CPU Fan if your CPU does not come with one.
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● A monitor if you don’t have one.
The first step in building your computer is choosing the price range for your computer. If you
want a computer to do homework and watch youtube, I recommend spending $400 (A good
example is: https://bit.ly/2QwrP52). If you want to do gaming like Fortnite I recommend
spending $700 (A good example is: https://bit.ly/2QvTjHZ). For AAA games like Battlefield and
Call of Duty: Modern Warfare, I recommend a computer worth at least $1000 (A good example
is: https://bit.ly/2QtnMX7). The second step is purchasing components. You can calculate prices
on https://pcpartpicker.com/list/ or you can use one of the builds I linked earlier. Once you
purchase everything, you should be ready to build your computer. WARNING: DO NOT
BUILD YOUR COMPUTER ON CARPET. THE STATIC ELECTRICITY CAN FRY
COMPONENTS, RENDERING THEM NON-FUNCTIONAL.
Now, onto the building portion of the guide. The first thing you need to do is unbox everything but leave components on top of their respective boxes as placing them directly on the floor can scratch and damage them. Here is an important diagram of a motherboard you may need: https://bit.ly/34aE4Z7. Take your CPU and match the arrow in the corner of the CPU with the arrow in the corner of the G slot indicated in the diagram. Be sure not to apply pressure to get the CPU slotted, it should slide in without any pressure. Then, attach the CPU fan you have to the motherboard with a screwdriver and the screws that came with the CPU fan. Next, take your RAM stick(s) and line them up with the H slots on your motherboard. When placing two or more sticks in, color coordinate them so you have a RAM stick in both blue slots. This will make the RAM run faster. Now you are ready to place your motherboard in your case. Take the side panel off of your chosen case and lay the case down with the open side up. Lay your motherboard
Now, onto the building portion of the guide. The first thing you need to do is unbox everything but leave components on top of their respective boxes as placing them directly on the floor can scratch and damage them. Here is an important diagram of a motherboard you may need: https://bit.ly/34aE4Z7. Take your CPU and match the arrow in the corner of the CPU with the arrow in the corner of the G slot indicated in the diagram. Be sure not to apply pressure to get the CPU slotted, it should slide in without any pressure. Then, attach the CPU fan you have to the motherboard with a screwdriver and the screws that came with the CPU fan. Next, take your RAM stick(s) and line them up with the H slots on your motherboard. When placing two or more sticks in, color coordinate them so you have a RAM stick in both blue slots. This will make the RAM run faster. Now you are ready to place your motherboard in your case. Take the side panel off of your chosen case and lay the case down with the open side up. Lay your motherboard
down very gently inside the case, making sure to line up the screw holes in the motherboard with
the standoffs in your case. Screw the motherboard in. This can take some time as lining the
motherboard up correctly can be difficult. Once it is sufficiently screwed in, get your GPU, if
you have one, and place it in the PCI-E slot indicated by letter A on the diagram. It should click
in. Next, you need to put your storage in your case. Most cases will have trays that you can put
your Hard Drive or SSD in. Find these in your case (They should be pretty big). Some trays
require that you screw in your storage so do that if necessary. Great job! Most of the computer is
now built. It is now time to put the heart of the computer inside. Look at the bottom of the back
of your case and you should see a rather large rectangular hole. The side of your PSU with the
outlet connection is going to face this side. Place your PSU in the case with the outlet connection
facing out through the back. Connect each cable from your PSU to the respective connection on
your motherboard or GPU. If you’re unsure of where to connect some of the connections, look at
the manuals for your motherboard and power supply. Now, take the connections for each case
fan and the CPU fan and insert them into the correct spot (Your motherboard will label them
“CPU Fan” and “Fan1” “Fan 2” etc. so it should be easy to find). If you can’t find them, look at
the motherboard diagram in your motherboard manual. You will also need to connect the power
button to your motherboard. This too will be labeled on the motherboard. Once everything is
connected in your computer, close up your case and connect the power cable to your PSU and
the wall. Then connect your monitor to your PC with an HDMI cable. To install your operating
software. Download the windows installer onto a different computer or laptop and transfer the
install files onto a USB. Once the files are on the USB, connect the USB to your computer
through a USB slot and press the power button of your computer. Your computer should boot up
and load off of your USB which will cause the Windows installer to open up on your computer
and once you get everything installed, your computer should work perfectly.
I have built a few computers in my lifetime, all of them throughout high school. This means that not too long ago I learned how to build, and successfully built, a computer for the first time. I too thought that building a computer was some intense task that only the smartest of people could do but I discovered that it was much easier than I had ever expected. By following this guide, you too can learn to build a computer.
Here’s a picture of my personal computer that I built myself by following the listed steps!
I have built a few computers in my lifetime, all of them throughout high school. This means that not too long ago I learned how to build, and successfully built, a computer for the first time. I too thought that building a computer was some intense task that only the smartest of people could do but I discovered that it was much easier than I had ever expected. By following this guide, you too can learn to build a computer.
Here’s a picture of my personal computer that I built myself by following the listed steps!
23 comments:
Firstly, that’s amazing! You built your own computer!? I wish I had that capability. Regarding your writing, I really loved the way you described putting the components together as you “smell the stale air,” “felling the snap” of the motherboard, and “hearing the fan.” It really paints a picture for readers to truly step in your shoes as you build the computer. Additionally, I really liked how you listed out the parts and the different types that you could get with a little description of each. For all those technical parts and terms, it gives the readers a much easier path to understanding how to build a computer. Keep up the great work!
This educational walkthrough on a subject that is becoming more popular and advanced everyday was interesting to read as it is. However, my favorite detail about the work is how you used the appropriate terminology without easing into it. At first it seems like gibberish, but upon further reading it makes sense which provides a contrast to the reader’s initial knowledge versus the knowledge they gained at the end of the piece.
I love that you gave a picture showing the outcome after the written instruction of how to build the computer, very entertaining. :)
Your use of the human senses in the beginning really caught my eye. I also like how you put the link of your recommendations to make the assembling easier. - Leigh Rubillar
I enjoyed how passionate you are with building computers and I also liked how you explained each of your steps, making it easier for the reader to understand.
Jaw Dropping! I instantly felt as if I was Ben Snitzer when he built his computer with your descriptive imagery ranging from the smell ,"I smell the stale air" to auditory, "I hear each fan accelerate to 5000 RPM". Regarding the step-by-step procedure, I loved the idea of implementing youtube videos because it signifies that even you started somewhere and it's not a shame to start from the basics.
Your guide eloquently shows the reader how building is a computer is simple and oftentimes cheaper and more dollar efficient than buying a pre-built computer. Excellent guide! - Cameron Hunter
First of all, good job on explaining each step and thanks for the youtube video. It also shows that you like technoolgy and like to build things. It nice how humans can also build computwer without spending a lot of money.
Rumjeet P Per 2
I can just see how passionate you are about this topic through your writing. Building a computer seems so complex but your guide made it look easy, especially since you provided explanations of each component and made the steps understandable.
First I want to say is I love this !!!! Computers are my passion as well and I love how in detail you went with the explanations . Its great to see that you are a fellow tech enthusiast and that you actually know what your talking about lol sometimes people like to fake what they know lol. I am a little hurt to see that your PC is better than mine but ill catch up haha. I also loved the organization of the tutorial and how you did truly go step by step and didn’t skip around. Overall this was a very insightful piece and do really appreciate the passion you have for computers.
Wow! The detail in your directions makes it very easy for even a beginner to learn how to build a computer. It is apparent how passionate you really are about computers and the personification just adds another level of connection. Wonderful job!
Wow - After reading your descriptive tutorial, building a computer seems far less intimidating! Its almost just like solving a big puzzle piece! I also did not realize how cheaper building a computer from scratch would be compared to buying one prebuilt. Nice job on warning your readers about the static electricity/carpet part, that's probably a very important precaution that people may not know about.
I found this How-To guide to be amazing and beneficial. This really opens up people's eyes into how building a computer actually is instead of the challenge that they perceive it to be. -Aaron P
I love how not only did you explain how to build a computer but you also included your own sensory experience while compiling the pieces and described your experience while building a computer and also your opinions on the process. Overall really helpful. -Justin Lim
The introduction of this how-to piece made me forget this was even a how-to. I loved the vivid imagery you used that was followed by the descriptions of every piece of the computer. This made the process of creating a computer seem far easier than I had originally thought.
I cannot believe you know how to build your own computer! Its extremely unique and a very hard task to learn! For starters, I love how precise and descriptive your instructions were; not only were you able to describe the building process so clearly, but you were able to describe the significance of each step and the components. It really shows that you know what you are doing! Also, your hook fit quite perfect for this piece of writing. The use of sensory details really drew me into this instructional piece of writing.
- Julia Lozano
Although building a computer seems far too complex for me, your excitement and passion for technology kept me glued to my screen! You took a subject that is seen as mundane and uninteresting, and made it into a concise and attention holding how to guide. Great work!
Honestly dude its so freaking crazy that you even know how to build a freaking computer at this age. This whole tutorial shows just how smart you are not only knowing how to build it but also being able to explain it in a way that makes it feel like someone who knows barely anything about technology could do it themselves. It was a really great and thorough explanation good job.
This was a very insightful piece! I like how you went fully in depth on all of the parts needed as well as what those specific parts do. I also like how you simplified the steps so that a person who's not really familiar with technology can still understand how to put this computer together. I've personally really wanted to build a computer for the longest time so this tutorial will really help me out. Overall a great piece! - Yuan Maneje
Great piece! I liked how you gave very specific details and an explanation step by step because I feel like even a person who doesn't know much about computers, would still be able to understand.
First, may I just say that I find it incredibly amazing that you were able to build your own computer at this age. Second, I’ve actually been looking to build my own computer sometime next year and this blog entry has actually helped me in a way, because it gave me a in-depth look into what it really takes to build a computer. But please keep up the good work Ben and I may enlist you to help me build my computer.
Building a computer? That's not what you here everyday especially from a young individual like you. It was like a tutorial mixed with a narrative when reading this because you talked about how much fun you had making the computer and also the materials you needed for it. I like how you gave us a laundry list and even an after picture of the product because it helps us see how much compassion you had and time it took to make the computer. Good Job!
I really like how you gave detailed instructions on how to build a computer going step by step through the process. I feel like the links and the image are very helpful when building technology. I also liked how you explained how each piece contributed to the greater whole and how one piece could make such a big difference. Overall very informative and amazing work! -Linda Hung
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