How to build your own PC
Wyatt Hart, Contributing Writer
If you had to guess, what would you say the most important piece of technology is in our daily lives? Obviously, that answer would be your computer.
From your phone to your desktop, computers have major impacts in your daily lives and, potentially, your wallet.
According to OTSCR, the average price of a mid-range PC totaled around $1,500, but what if I told you that you can build a custom PC for a fraction of the price?
PC building has become a common practice since around the late 1990s. This trend results from parts being easier to buy, customization over your system, and likely the biggest factor, the price.
Brandon Leonard, owner of DarkenedCyrus LLC, has been building custom systems for over 10 years. “I have dialed in every part and setting I need for maximum efficiency and performance. If I had to pick between custom and pre-built machines, the choice is obvious,” he said.
Over the summer, Brandon and I got to build my new PC together. We took a trip to Micro Center in Charlotte, found some killer deals and assembled it in one evening.
A pre-built machine that matches the performance of what we built could easily cost $2,000. We stayed under $1,000 building it ourselves.
The first step in building a custom system is knowing your budget. Many sites such as Newegg and Micro Center offer new and used parts for a great price. If you are feeling thrifty, many components can be found through Facebook Marketplace and eBay too. Knowing how much money you are willing to spend will help make your building process as smooth as possible.
Before any parts are purchased, it is wise to check what components are compatible with each other. Intel processors will not fit onto Ryzen boards, and some boards may not fit into some PC cases. A great site to help determine compatibility is PCPartPicker. This site will also help you determine the price and where to buy your parts. It is a helpful tool for first-time builders to check out.
To start your custom build, you will need to know all the parts to make your machine function properly. The main components you will need are a CPU, GPU, RAM, motherboard, power supply, storage, cooling, a case and a license to your preferred operating system (OS). That list may sound long and scary, but with helpful tools like PCPartPicker, you will be able to determine everything you need and have it shipped right to your door.
One thing to be aware of is that no build is ever identical. However, the process of piecing everything together has the same simple steps. You will typically want to start with the motherboard. Almost everything will be built onto it and then put into the case. Watching a simple guide on YouTube can help you learn where specific components are installed.
Once your motherboard is assembled, you can mount it into the case and wire everything up. Many of the connectors are unique in design, so determining where to connect the power supply, fans and any other accessories is quick and to the point. Be sure to work with everything unpowered and away from anything that can create static electricity. If you make a mistake, it is very likely to cause a shortage in the circuit — and a shortage of money in your bank account.
When you are confident in your wiring job and YouTube DIY skills, it is time to boot your new build up. Upon your first boot, you will be sent into what is called the BIOS. This is basic software that configures how your system will boot your OS and configure other settings like fan speed and cooling control. Again, many BIOS will appear different, so watch some YouTube videos on your specific model and DIY just a little more.
Congratulations. Now that your BIOS is configured, you now have a running machine for a fraction of the price. There is an infinite number of resources online to help guide you in your building process. Now that you are done, enjoy your nice new machine and revel in the fact you saved yourself all that cash.
