Build Your Own PC: Part Two

Posted on 20 Nov 2002 at 14:58

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In the final part of our series on building your dream PC, we show you what goes where and how to plug it all in. Share the wisdom we've gained from eleven years wrestling around in PC cases.

Welcome to the final part of Computer Buyer's guide to building your own PC. Two months ago, we looked at what makes a PC tick. We discovered what all the different components inside a PC do, how they work and how they interact with each other.

Last month, we looked at why people build their own machines and which components are best for what kind of PC. This month we're going to build a PC from scratch. We'll take you from a pile of components right up to the moment where your mouse pointer glides across a Windows screen for the first time.

As you read, you'll learn some secrets from our Labs team. Some of these tips we've picked up from talking to professional system builders. Others, we confess, come from dark days spent in the Labs working out why things just don't work. We've never had smoke or fire, but a fair few tantrums have been thrown. So we can let you know where potential stresses lurk and how to avoid bursting a blood vessel.

The walkthroughs we've prepared are designed to help you build either an Intel or AMD-based PC. There are subtle differences involved in the construction of these PCs, so occasionally you may find details that are not directly applicable to your project. However, most of the steps are identical for both types of system, so these digressions should be few.

It's a good idea to read this entire feature through before you begin building your PC, to acquaint yourself with all the necessary steps. You may discover that, with your specific components, you'd be better off doing things in a slightly different order. Remember that if you have any doubts about what plugs in where and how, read your component manuals. Never guess!