Desire a Better Computer? Consider Constructing Your Own

Learning how a computer works is best accomplished by doing the assembly yourself.

Ready to increase your understanding of computers? Building your own computer will enable you to fully personalize your setup and gain an understanding of how each component functions.

Though it’s undoubtedly more difficult than knowledgeable builders may suggest, the payoff isn’t simply a new computer—rather, it’s a new set of practical skills—if you plan ahead, study the instructions, and take your time.

We are unable to give you precise instructions on how to assemble your new machine without knowing the details of your project. We can provide you with planning tools, advice on purchasing components, and insightful information on every stage of the procedure to assist position you for success.

It might be time to check out some additional items to further adorn your new partner in crime after you’ve built your shiny, new PC. Check out our guides to the best gaming controllers, headsets, mice, keyboards, and headsets for gaming.

Updated August 2024: We’ve revised some of our proposals, added data on recent developments, and enlarged the scope of other steps.

For a limited time, Gear readers can purchase WIRED for just $5, saving $25. This includes complete Gear coverage, unrestricted access to WIRED.com, and newsletters available exclusively to subscribers. Contributions enable us to continue doing our daily work.

Make a plan first.

Over the past few years, PC builders have been severely impacted by the global chip shortage; nevertheless, a number of technological and economic variables have caused component costs to start returning to normal. It is still advisable to do some research before making any purchases because pricing are subject to change.

When purchasing components, be sure to verify the return policies of the retailer—such as Amazon, Best Buy, or NewEgg—and make sure you’re purchasing from a reliable source. When parts come, make sure to physically examine them for any damage or missing pieces. You should also verify that the labels on the parts match the parts you bought and the packing.

Make sure you know exactly how much you have to work with before you begin. Building a PC may be costly, and if you don’t keep meticulous track of everything, it’s easy to overlook some expenses. Regardless of your level of experience, PCPartPicker is where you should start. You can quickly plan out your build, choose appropriate parts, and compare prices and availability across merchants using this special tool.

Think about the objectives for your new computer as well. Is it only used to occasionally print off documents and check email? Will you be engaging in any video game play? Will the PC be placed on top of or beneath a desk? You may better direct your strategy and maintain your budget by posing these questions in advance.

If you’re feeling optimistic, sample builds at various price and performance points are listed on the website Logical Increments. These standard components can serve as a basis for your construction or provide possibilities for upgrades or downgrades to fit your requirements and budget.

What’s Required of You?

The components you’ll need are essentially the same whether you’re building for gaming or a home office. You’ll encounter many abbreviations throughout this tutorial, so consider this section to be your glossary.

Nearly all computers require the following parts, at the very least:

Example

Motherboard

CPU, or central processing unit

RAM, or memory

Storage: Solid State Drives, or SSDs, are common.

Energy Source (PSU)

You need also spend money on a dedicated graphics card, or GPU, if you intend to play games. This additional part raises the price of your construction significantly but lets you play games and supports workloads related to machine learning, photo editing, and video editing.

If you don’t already have one, you should think about including a monitor in your budget. These can range from straightforward choices for regular work to enormous, ultrawide panels with features and costs tailored to the gaming community. You ought to have a better understanding of your alternatives after reading our guide on buying monitors.

To operate the system, you’ll also need a keyboard and mouse, which, like displays, come in an unexpected variety of styles and functions. Make space in your budget for them; a basic set should cost $50, while a high-end set should cost $200 or more.

Selecting a Case

First, think about the computer’s intended location and the case’s physical dimensions. First and foremost, consider whether it can fit on a shelf or whether there isn’t much room on your desk. Make sure your PC is resting on a firm, level surface and allow space for airflow both in front of and behind it.

It is common for manufacturers to mark cases according to the biggest motherboard size they can accommodate. The most popular form factor for home desktops is ATX, where “full tower” denotes a higher case with a more capacious interior, and “mid towers” describe the standard desktop box you see out in the world.

It usually comes down to personal preference when it comes to the aesthetic aspects on cases, so don’t be hesitant to get something just because you enjoy the way it looks. It’s worth looking around to pick a case that suits your style because case manufacturers frequently provide color and panel changes for their most popular models.

Last but not least, you should be aware of any unique needs you may have. For instance, those who use virtual reality headsets would want to certain that their case has a USB Type-C port on the front.

Recommended Hardware

Corsair 4000D Airflow: Available in an array of hues and finishes, the 4000D is among Corsair’s best-selling mid-tower cases. This case is designed to make even novice builders feel like pros, with a large mesh front panel for fans and a dedicated channel for wires.
Design Fractals Meshify C: The Meshify C, which has an open interior and a distinctive textured front panel, might be your next home desktop or sleeper gaming setup. Similar to the Corsair, the front panel comes in a variety of colors and sizes and lets a ton of air through to keep things cool and silent.

Our top pick for an ATX mid-tower case is the NZXT H510 Elite. It has the quintessential NZXT minimalism charm, but with the glass casing, there’s plenty of space to showcase additional lighting. An older model of this case that I’ve owned for years maintains its cleanliness and hasn’t faded in the slightest even though it’s white.

Motherboard:

The motherboard serves as the communication channel for all other parts. Despite their variations in size and arrangement, they all serve the same basic purpose. Although motherboards are typically made to support both AMD and Intel CPUs, you should make sure the CPU and motherboard you purchase are compatible.

There are several varieties of motherboards, but the type of socket it contains is the most crucial detail to be aware of. Essentially, there are two: AM and LGA. They are always listed with a number following them, such as “AM5” or “LGA1150.” In order to designate which version of AMD or Intel chips these socket designations support, the actual numbers after the LGA and AM sections will change over time. However, as of 2024 (which will work with the newest CPUs from both manufacturers), the standards are AM5 for AMD and LGA1700 for Intel.

Additionally, motherboards are available in two sizes, the most popular of which is ATX. Generally speaking, especially if this is your first construction, that is what I advise. More space within the case means more room for your hands, which will facilitate upkeep, upgrades, and setup. Make sure the motherboard and PC case match the size listed on the casing.

Purchasing guidance: What distinguishes an expensive motherboard from a low-cost motherboard? Performance, connection, and a sophisticated feature set are typically combined to create it. The motherboard’s chipset, which can swiftly inform advanced users of basic details like maximum RAM, connectivity, and overclocking potential, typically indicates these.

But the real question is: Do you really need those extra features? The amount of memory slots that are available to you may be limited by your chipset, which may prohibit future upgrades. Two M.2 slots are more than sufficient for storage drives; any additional space is considered a luxury. The last thing to consider is overclocking, which can be done on the most expensive boards but needs thorough stability testing and specialist knowledge to avoid harm.

There are far more motherboards on this list than we could ever test and cover for you, despite their different pricing. Once you’ve found one you like, make a note of its specifications and evaluate it against others to see which one best suits your style and budget. Although we make an effort to update this list on a regular basis with prices that don’t deviate far from MSRP, you should shop around if any of the prices listed here suddenly increase.

Recommended Hardware

Gigabyte B650 Gaming X AX (AM5 Socket): If you’re building a mid- to high-end gaming PC with an AMD processor, you’ll love this motherboard’s few extra ports (including Thunderbolt 3).

A620M Gaming X by Gigabyte (AM5 Socket) Micro-ATX: This motherboard is designed for smaller builds because it is Micro-ATX sized, but it is an excellent choice if you are building a cute tiny mini gaming setup.

The Asus Prime B760-Plus D4 (LGA 1700 Socket) is an excellent midrange gaming PC board with four M.2 ports, which is a lot of ports for the price.

For gaming computers, the Gigabyte Z790 Gaming X AX (LGA 1700 Socket) is a high-performance motherboard. This is what we advise if you’re purchasing an Intel processor from the 12th or 13th generation.

CPU, or processor

The CPU, which plugs straight onto the motherboard and controls nearly every function of your computer, is its brain. This will probably be the first or second most expensive item in your budget, but it will be the most crucial factor in deciding non-gaming performance. Ascertain that the sockets on your motherboard and CPU are compatible.

Even a simple graphics unit that can only produce YouTube videos and the desktop is necessary for any machine. Chipmakers may omit this because they believe higher-end systems will use dedicated graphics, even though many entry-level and midrange CPUs feature integrated graphics capable of handling basic tasks.

Take a break: Your CPU requires a specific cooling solution because it operates so hard. This is another area where cheaper chips will not include a fan or heat sink in the box, while entry-level chips will have a basic fan and heat sink that will function for the majority of users.

We suggest the tried-and-true Cooler Master Hyper 212, which is available in multiple colors and fan configurations, for those looking for a basic air cooler. The ML240L liquid cooler from Cooler Master is an improved option that has a closed loop to prevent leaks.

Recommended Hardware

Intel Core i5-12600K 6-Core 3.7 GHz (LGA 1700 Socket): If you have the GPU power to support the majority of that weight, Intel’s 12th-generation i5 processors are a superb choice for daily tasks and won’t be slow down by your games.

LGA 1700 Socket Intel Core i7-12700K 8-Core 3.6 GHz: An Intel i7 processor can handle the majority of demanding workday tasks and 4K gaming.

LGA 1700 Socket Intel Core i9-13900K 8-Core 5.8 GHz: The 13th-generation Core i9 from Intel is an extremely adaptable gaming processor. This device tears through content creation burdens and pushes games to their utmost limits. Although it is costly, this processor is a beast and among the most potent ones available.

5.3 GHz 6-Core AMD Ryzen 5 7600X 6-Socket (AM5): A great option for a gaming or video editing PC is the Ryzen 5 7600X. Although it’s not as fast or agile as AMD’s flagship models, it manages to keep up with the more costly processors very admirably.

16-core, 5.7 GHz AMD Ryzen 9 7950X (AM5 Socket): For high-end 4K or 144-Hz gaming, AMD’s 16-core monster is an incredible CPU, but it comes with some unique requirements. It becomes so hot that installing it in a PC without a liquid cooler such as the Asus ROG Strix LC Liquid Cooler is not recommended.

GPU, or graphics card

A graphics processing unit, sometimes known as a graphics card, is required if you intend to play games. This processor is specialized and optimized to handle visual data, such as graphics from video games. It might also help with other high-stakes tasks like photo or video editing, 3D modeling, or machine learning.

AMD and Nvidia are currently the two leading manufacturers. However, instead of purchasing a GPU straight from them, they sell the chips to board partners such as MSI, Asus, and EVGA, who subsequently assemble them into graphics cards. Make sure you keep an eye out for discounts, rebates, and even free games with GPUs because your decision regarding AMD or Nvidia will probably depend on where you can find a better bargain.

Purchasing advice: Graphics cards are one of the most sought-after PC parts, and while they’re more accessible than in the past, their costs occasionally exceed MSRP. The selections in this list range from mid-range to high-end. I think it’s wiser to spend the majority of your money on a graphics card. Spending more money now will make it last longer; for example, you could spend $100 on shoes that will last you years rather than $20 on shoes that would break apart in a few months. For gaming PCs, cheap graphics cards are dollar-foolish yet penny-wise. You can probably get away with using the integrated graphics in your CPU for a standard home office PC.

Recommended Nvidia GeForce Devices

The GeForce RTX 40-series graphics cards are the newest from Nvidia, but none of them are included in this list. They are still rather pricey as of this writing, and the 30-series offers better performance for the money.

MSI GeForce RTX 2060: This card is an excellent choice if you want to start playing medium-end games because it balances price and performance well. Excellent choice for an office PC that may also be used for light gaming or video editing.

Asus ROG Strix RTX 3060: The GTX 3060 from Nvidia is a fantastic graphics card for 1080p and 1440p gaming.
The Zotac GeForce RTX 3080 remains a highly efficient graphics card, even while playing games at 4K resolution with ray tracing enabled. Plus, it’s only $1,000, which makes it quite tempting.

Recommended Radeon Hardware for AMD

The 7000-series is the newest generation of Radeon graphics cards, which is fantastic news for anyone seeking to purchase a high-end graphics card but even better news for those hoping to purchase a previous-generation model and receive a little discount.

Red Devil PowerColor Radeon RX 7900 XTX from AMD: This is the best option if you’re searching for a graphics card that is an absolute monster. This device is incredibly fast and powerful, easily handling even the most recent games at their highest, ultra-max settings in 4K resolution. All the X’s indicate that it’s good.

Sapphire Pulse AMD Radeon RX 6600: If you’re looking for an AMD graphics card for 1080p gaming, the RX 6600 is a great option.
PowerColor Red Dragon AMD Radeon RX 6800 XT: Currently, the RX 6800 XT from the previous generation is my favorite pick if you’re looking to get a strong GPU at a lower price. With its powerful GPU, it can tackle any task, including Cyberpunk 2077 in its entirety at 4K resolution.

Keepsake

Every system requires storage, and the amount required will again depend on the intended usage of the system. Even for light home use, we recommend a minimum of 256 GB of storage for any system. It could be advantageous to install your operating system on a 256-GB primary drive and then add a second drive, perhaps 1 TB or larger, to store your movies and games if you’re a big gamer.

You do not need the large HDDs. SSDs in the M.2 format, which resemble a digital stick of gum and screw straight into your motherboard, are currently used in almost all consumer systems. They reduce cable clutter and are far faster and simpler to install.

Recommended Hardware

Samsung 980 Pro M.2 SSD: M.2 drives from Samsung are consistently a wise option. They can be paired with almost any other internal SSD because they are small, light, and strong (about the size of a stick of gum). There is no need to fiddle with cords because the majority of motherboards feature an M.2 slot either on the front or around the back of the board. This one has a read speed of around 6,980 MB/s and a write speed of 4,876 MB/s.

Samsung 970 Evo M.2 SSD: Though a little slower, the Evo range is more affordable and a great option for any build. At its maximum, this M.2 drive can read and write data at 3,500 MB/s and 3,300 MB/s, respectively. Though slower than several on this list, it’s still fairly fast—fast enough for gaming, for sure. Choose the Evo if you’re on a tight budget.

Corsair MP600 M.2 SSD: This drive from Corsair has an integrated heat sink to reduce temperatures while it transfers data at lightning-fast speeds. It has a read speed of 4,950 MB/s and a write speed of 4,250 MB/s.

WD Blue 1-TB Internal SSD: This Western Digital model is better suited as a secondary storage drive—not the one you use to run operating systems or games. It is reasonably speedy and has lots of storage space.

RAM, or memory

When discussing memory and storage, you’ll come across many of the same terminology, but they’re not the same. More akin to the one table you throw stuff on and deal with later is memory. It’s temporary; it’s scratch paper. However, it’s critical because software caches—or temporarily stores—data in memory so that it can be swiftly retrieved.

To increase speed and dependability, most systems choose to operate two or four DIMMs, or physical memory sticks, in identical sets. It’s likely that you’ll purchase a “2 x 8GB kit” and install both if you intend to add 16 GB, for example—our suggested minimum. For information on supported memory and configurations, be sure to review the specs of your motherboard.

The industry recently switched from DDR4, an older memory standard, to DDR5, which is appropriately titled. The majority of motherboards from the most recent generation have made the transition, so be sure to get the appropriate model for your system—the model number will be indicated in large letters on the motherboard box.

Recommended Hardware

Corsair Vengeance LPX 16-GB 288-Pin RAM: While 32 or 64 GB of RAM is usually included in high-end gaming setups, an 8-GB stick will suffice for the majority of 1080p games and daily chores.

G.Skill Ripjaws V Series 32-GB 288-Pin RAM: You should be able to handle daily tasks and gaming with this amount of RAM.

Corsair Dominator Platinum 64-GB 288-Pin RAM: Consider upgrading to 64 GB of RAM if you require more capacity for demanding games or content development.

Energy Source (PSU)

Even though it seems straightforward, the function of your power source is crucial to the longevity of your system. It’s also possible for other components to sustain irreversible harm if your power supply malfunctions. Unfortunately, reading specifications or user evaluations won’t quickly reveal the indicators of quality, dependability, and safety.

For your power supply needs, we advise staying with one of the few main manufacturers. These manufacturers include Cooler Master, Corsair, EVGA, and NZXT; they’ve all made good power supply and fixed problems fast.

Based on the parts you have chosen, PCPartPicker will suggest a wattage if you are utilizing it. Your system may unexpectedly shut off or fail to start at all if your wattage is too low. The gold and silver ratings, on the other hand, indicate that if the wattage is too high, the PSU won’t be as efficient.

In order to reduce clutter and streamline installation, a modular power supply also refers to the cables, which can be fully detached from the unit.

Recommended Hardware

Corsair RM750e (2023): For entry-level setups, Corsair’s modernized version of their iconic PSU is a fantastic choice. It’s entirely modular, well equipped, and frequently on sale. The latest ATX 3.0 standard is also supported by it.

EVGA 1000GT: This upgrade option resembles the EVGA 1000T. This power supply is a little bit more powerful, but it’s still completely modular.

Corsair RM1000X 1000-Watt Power Supply: Corsair’s 1,000-watt PSU is a fantastic choice for PCs with a lot of storage or several graphics cards.

System of Operation

You don’t always get Windows when you create a computer. To install it, you will need to purchase a license from Microsoft or another supplier and create a USB key. Here are some additional details regarding the features of the most recent Windows version.

Combining Everything

We won’t go into great depth here because every gaming PC has a slightly distinct internal structure. Referring to your manuals and looking up your components on YouTube are your best options if you’re looking for precise instructions for your hardware. Seeing someone install and handle your precise hardware in person may be really beneficial, particularly if you’re stuck and don’t know what the hell your handbook is talking about. However, here are some general pointers for assembling all these parts.

Set up a spotless workspace first. This may be a desk that has been cleared out, or it could be a dining room table—any surface large enough to accommodate your case lying flat on its side with enough of space surrounding it for the remaining components. A Phillips-head screwdriver, which fits the majority of the screws in your case, is also required. Generally speaking, screws in cases just need to be securely attached; nothing needs to be tightened all the way down. Make sure to release any static buildup before assembling these parts, and work on a nonmetallic surface, such as a wooden table.

The instruction manuals that came with the majority of the components you purchased should be kept close at hand. Mostly, you will turn to the case handbook, which will guide you through configuring everything for your particular parts; when the time comes, you will go to the motherboard instructions. Choose the handbook whenever there is a discrepancy between it and our guide. There’s a lot to look at, so it can be a little frightening, but picture everything as one large Lego set. Every component fits into every other component. Your first task is going to be to seat your CPU on the motherboard.

Setting Up Your Processor

Before you begin, make sure you have read all the directions and know what each item is for because this part of the procedure can be a little tricky. The chip will have either tiny pins on one side (don’t touch them) or tiny golden contacts on one side (don’t touch these either), depending on what sort of CPU you bought (AMD or Intel). Please refrain from touching that side of your chip. Fingertip oils have the potential to bend a pin or harm the contacts. If you choose either option, your processor will be reduced to a pricey piece of silicon.

Processor seating is a rather simple operation. We’ll be utilizing your motherboard box as a workspace, so open it and take off any plastic wrapping, but keep the motherboard inside. Verify that you have unlocked the processor socket and refer to the instructions that came with your motherboard again. It will be a large square with several little holes (or contacts) and a button or lever next to it. The instructions that come with your motherboard will specifically explain how to unlock the socket so that your processor may be installed without any problems.

Once it’s unlocked and operational, locate the small golden triangle on one corner of your processor and align it with the corresponding sign on the processor socket of your motherboard. After carefully inserting the CPU into the socket, turn the latch or locking mechanism. Fighting it shouldn’t be necessary. Make sure the CPU is correctly inserted into its socket if you have to apply a lot of pressure.

Regarding thermal paste, a lot of CPU coolers come pre-applied. In most cases, a plastic shell will conceal any circles or patterns of silver goo, so you may skip this step and install your cooler right away. If that’s missing from your cooler, it probably comes with a small plastic syringe of paste that you’ll have to put on yourself. You’ll find detailed instructions on this in your CPU cooler’s manuals.

Proceed to gently press a small ball of thermal paste, no larger than a pea, onto the processor’s silicon square. It should be as near to the center as possible.

After positioning your heat sink so that it lines up with the screws encircling your processor, carefully lower it into place. Squish the thermal paste gently; the idea is to cover the back of your processor with a thin layer. If it seeps a little, that’s acceptable, but if it overflows the processor’s edge, you’ve used too much. Using a lint-free cloth and some isopropyl alcohol, clean the processor and heat sink. When they are completely dry, wait before trying again.

Once your CPU is seated, examine the bright silicon square located in its middle. Your heat sink will be located there. The heat sink that came with your processor has a copper circle on one side. The silicone square and the copper circle should line up precisely when you place the heat sink directly on top of the processor.

Screw your heat sink into place, being careful not to overtighten, if everything appears to be in order. Return to your motherboard instruction manual and locate the correct location to plug in the cooling fan on your heat sink, close to the processor socket. It ought to be near the processor socket. Once you’ve located it, plug it in and enjoy your newly installed CPU. The most difficult portion is now behind us. Well done!

Setting Up Memory and Storage

After the CPU, installing your memory will seem effortless. Your motherboard documentation will tell you which of the two or four slots next to the processor to use depending on your kit.

There are little plastic levers at the end of each slot; they can be on one or both ends. Gently press them down until they release the slot and click open. Make sure the off-center notch on the slot and the notch on the sticks line up when aligning your memory. Once the levers on the ends fully click into place, carefully apply even pressure over the top of the stick while it is vertical.

There ought to be a slot on the motherboard where you can put an M.2 drive—a tiny SSD the size of a stick of gum—directly. The M.2 slot on your motherboard might be under a heat sink; consult the handbook for more information. After carefully pushing down the opposite end of the drive and using the tiny screw to tighten it in place, insert the end of the drive with the contacts into the slot.

How to Install the Power Supply and Motherboard

The motherboard will then be installed into your case; for more specific instructions, consult the handbook. When you identify the ideal location, start by carefully lowering the motherboard into the casing and lining up the ports on the rear with the broad slot. Take care not to move it around too much. Proceed to turn each one slightly to secure it in place after the screw holes underneath line up. Then, proceed to finish each one. Simply hand tighten them until they are snug enough to hold everything in place; they don’t have to be extremely tight.

Installing your power supply should be your next step. A large square opening toward the top or bottom of the casing should have room for it and accommodate your supply precisely. If you’re still having problems finding it, try looking for a rectangular hole with three or four screw holes surrounding it on the back of the case. When you’re done, you’ll put your PC in there and that’s where the power supply goes. After locating its proper location, insert the fan and tighten the screws, ensuring that it faces a vent or an open space. Nothing needs to be plugged in just now; we’ll return to the power supply shortly.

How to Install a Graphics Card

Since your GPU will be large, it makes logical to install it last. It is therefore crucial to consider how it fits into your argument. Space will become limited as soon as your GPU is installed.

Check for a PCIe slot by flipping open the instruction manual again for your motherboard. It is going to be located around the center or bottom of your motherboard, in a horizontal slot with a small plastic latch next to it. Identify which case plates need to be removed in order to make room by holding the GPU up to the motherboard’s slot. Take them out and place them aside.

Place the GPU in the horizontal slot and align the DisplayPorts and HDMI with the back of your case. With a simple click, it ought to click into place; if not, confirm that you’re putting it correctly.

Attach the GPU to the case using the screw or screws from the plates you removed. That has a small space on the same metal piece as the HDMI ports. It ought should be simple to locate. Watch this video from Asus, a hardware vendor, if you need help. It’s a terrific overview of GPU installation, albeit certain details may vary.

Power Lines

It’s time to connect the power now that the other parts have been installed. Connect each component that needs power one at a time, making that the connectors are firmly installed and facing the correct direction. First, make sure the PSU is unplugged and turned off using the button on the back. The plug ends of the cables will have labels if they are fixed in place. Verify that the labels on the cable, PSU port, and component match when using modular power supply with detachable cables.

The specifics of your arrangement will determine how these power wires should be routed. Certain cases feature discrete sections behind the motherboard, featuring gaskets at the front to reduce disarray. You can find examples of how other people have handled their cords by searching PCPartPicker or Youtube for your specific case.

A New PSU: The power supply cable layout that home systems have been using for years is referenced in the instructions that follow. The release of ATX 3.0, a new standard, is underway. If your system is really advanced, be sure to consult your manual for specific instructions on how to set it up.

Commence with the motherboard, since it will have a specialized plug that is far wider than the others. Verify that the tab on the outside edge clicks firmly into position. In addition, your motherboard might feature a spare 4- or 8-pin power connector next to the CPU on the other corner, along with a special power connection for it.

Additionally, specialized power is typically needed for GPUs; these cables are frequently identified as PCIe or VGA. Make sure you have electricity hooked into any available ports on the outside corner of the card. These can be numerous and come in different configurations. Consult your GPU handbook for more information.

Completing

Lastly, attach your motherboard to the front of the case’s ports and buttons. A small collection of pins that are usually found close to the board’s bottom match a set of cables that are hardwired into the case. It is possible that your motherboard comes with a little adaptor to help with this procedure. Slid the board or adapter onto the ends of the cables, making that the labels match.

We advise keeping with the fan setup that came with the case if this is your first build. Every fan will have an own data and power line, which can be connected to a common fan controller within the chassis or left loose with each fan. Either attach the fan controller’s end to the motherboard and power supply, or connect each fan to a port on the motherboard identified in your handbook.

This portion of your setup largely depends on the hardware you bought, so make sure you’ve plugged everything into your motherboard and power supply correctly by reading the manuals for each component. Making a mental inventory of every component you bought and asking if it has a shared data and power connection can be helpful.

Turn it on and install Windows

It’s easy to finish off your project by pressing the Power button. If the computer turns on, you most likely assembled it flawlessly! Don’t give up if it doesn’t. Numerous possible issues could lead to a PC not starting up at all on first try. Take a look at this Kingston video and try again if you can’t get your computer to start up. It covers some common mistakes that could give you trouble.

It’s also possible that you were sent defective parts. Some advice on how to check your parts are covered in this video. In general, YouTube is your buddy if you’re having issues with a particular component. There are several useful tutorials available for building PCs.

If everything started up without a hitch, turning it off is the next very simple step. Do you still have the Windows flash disk you created earlier? Restart the PC by plugging it in. Your computer should install Windows on its own if everything is configured correctly. If not, you may need to first establish the USB drive as a “boot device” in your BIOS (see the manual for your motherboard for instructions on how to do that). Here’s a quick summary of the procedure, starting with step 3.

You succeeded!

Well done on building your first computer. Although a little difficult, it’s a fun way to pass the afternoon. or a few days, contingent upon the number of unanticipated headaches you encounter.