Assembling your own PC is not
hard. I just want to clear that up from the start, since I'm often surprised
when somebody praises me for my computer 'expertise' because I can, for example,
install memory in their systems. Installing memory is an exercise roughly
comparable in difficulty to cleaning the lint out of a dryer and putting the
filter back in the right way.
Modern computer systems are designed to be easy to fit together, and they are.
The majority of components are keyed so they will only fit a certain way, for
one thing, and everything is standardized. This is not to say that it is
foolproof, but perhaps fool resistant would be true.
A couple of years taught me that some folks should not ever be allowed
near a computer that is not securely locked behind a bombproof enclosure. But
for most people I think, building a computer from a pile of components just
requires a little guidance to get them on the right track.
The thing is, the majority of non-techie people that I know have this almost
superstitious awe of computers which requires them to make pilgrimages to the
local computer store every time they want something added, upgraded, or replaced
in their machine.
I have to admit that charging unreal prices for the 10 minutes of labour
required (computer must be left for service overnight of course) is somewhat
thrilling.... though really not necessary if you know a few basic things about
what lies under the hood so to speak.
The key then, is to familiarize people with computers as another appliance that
may sometimes need a little attention, and not just as a magic box that enables
them to use Photoshop. Building a computer will do this. Call it your own little
self-help project. Plus, you can always Donate a few dollars from the money
you'll save on labour to us in gratitude. :)
This guide aims to be a simple guide to building your own home computer from
easily available components available from local, or online retailers. Now,
let's get started and show just how easy building your own PC really can be.
Where to begin, and ESD worries If you are a beginner at computers, begin at
your local small computer store. For the purposes of buying parts you are much
better off dealing with a small store than a large chain or electronic
warehouse, provided you get a good feeling about the place when you walk in of
course.
Small stores are used to dealing with computers in terms of individual
components, so they are better equipped to help you out. Tell them you are
planning to build your own PC. They will be able to make sure that the parts you
get are compatible, at least. You will have an idea of what you want the
computer to do once it's built, so go with that. Once you have all the parts on
the list, it's time to start building your computer.
Now, if it seems we've already skipped too many steps for you, spectrum computer
stocks. Your ShoppingList consists of computer components we'd actually buy
ourselves, and of course you're always encouraged to substitute your own choices
for what we've listed. At the very least you can use it as a shopping list so
you don't begin your project missing that one vital component.
First though, a brief rant about static electricity. This is where things may
get a little argumentative. First things first, there is no doubt that
Electro-static discharge can destroy computer components. Static Electricity is
also known as ESD, or that shock you get when you touch the doorknob after
walking across the office carpeting.
The question is, how careful do you have to be? Is it necessary to properly
ground yourself with an electrostatic wrist strap before touching computer
components, or do you just exercise a few simple precautions?
I have to admit I fall on the latter side, but I'm not the only one. Walk into
any of those small computer stores you see by the hundred in any city, and go to
the back. I'll bet you the guy up to his elbows in computer parts there is not
wearing a wrist-strap, most likely because he is also the guy who is going to
come out to the front and try to sell you something too. Yet this store will
turn out computers as reliable on average as any other computer store you could
walk into.
Sure you could say "what about the big manufacturers? What about Dell? Don't
their techs wear wrist straps?" I'm sure they do. The thing is, I don't believe
that Dell (as one example) has a parts failure rate that is significantly lower
than that of any other major or minor manufacturer, and if there is a minor
difference, it is going to be because major manufacturers have a standardized
quality control system in place that your local AlphaBetaGamma computer store is
not going to be able to emulate. With a few simple precautions, I don't think we
need to worry much about ESD.
Simple precautions: Build your computer on a hard surface, away from carpets if
possible. Wear shoes and a short-sleeved cotton shirt. Synthetic materials like
polar fleece are excellent static generators, so it's best to wear natural
fibres which don't create little lightning clouds every time you shift your
feet.
Use the anti-static bags that come with most computer components as mats to rest
the components on your workspace. If you often get static shocks in your home,
it may be a good idea to plug the power cord into your power supply and turn the
switch at the back to the OFF position. You can then touch the metal case of the
power supply (or the unpainted metal area of the computer case if the PSU is
already mounted) to ground yourself while you work.
Be sure to unplug the power cord from the power supply before connecting any of
the power cables to the components, however.
Handling Components Correctly When handling computer components like
motherboards, video cards, memory, or even a hard drive it is best to hold them
by the edges. If you hold that videocard (for example) by the edges the PCB it
is less likely that your fingers will even come in contact with any conductors,
decreasing the chance of causing any ESD damage further still.
This is not only a good precaution, it is also a good habit as any Electrical
Engineer will tell you. Certain electrical components (namely capacitors) can
store an electrical charge even after the power has been disconnected for
sometime that can deliver a nasty shock, or kill if they are sufficiently
powerful enough... Don't worry though, all the components we'll be installing in
the computer are more afraid of you, and don't carry enough charge to cause you
harm.
Still, grabbing a board of electronics like you would a sandwich puts your
fingers in direct contact with the little metal leads from soldered-on
electrical components. If for example, your finger came in contact with the
leads from a powerful enough charged capacitor you could get a very strong
shock. The opposite rings true if you happen to grab a videocard when you're all
charged up with static electricity. Instead of receiving a nasty arm-zapping
shock, you may just deliver a nasty bolt of static electricity to a sensitive
microchip - damaging it in the process.
Obvious precautions: Try not to remove articles of clothing while you work on
the computer, for esthetic as well as practical reasons. DO NOT let your cat
near the computer parts. Cats are walking static death bombs.
Now that the ESD precautions are out of the way, what do you need to build your
computer?
- ATX computer case with at least 300-watt power supply
- Intel or AMD processor with appropriate heatsink
- Computer motherboard compatible with your processor
- 1 or more sticks of RAM (memory) compatible with the motherboard and processor
- 1 or more IDE hard disk drives
- 1 or more optical (CD) drives
- 1 floppy disk drive
- 1 PS/2 or USB keyboard.
- 1 PS/2 or USB mouse
- AGP video card (ie. 4XAGP, 8XAGP, etc.) compatible with the motherboard (this
may be integrated into the motherboard on some models)
- VGA monitor (computer screen)
- Sound card (these are generally integrated into the motherboard, though
depending on your requirements, this may not be enough)
- 10/100 Ethernet Network Adaptor aka NIC (if you plan to connect the computer
to other computers in your household)
- A Phillips-head screwdriver with a long neck, preferably magnetized, because
you WILL lose a screw or two during the course of this.
- A flashlight is always a good thing to have. So is a big desk, or table where
scratches on the surface aren't a big deal.
The system I am going to assemble in the article is a fairly typical Pentium 4
based midrange system for office use. Nothing too cheap, but nothing too
expensive either.
