How to build your own PC: A complete step-by-step guide
Whether you’re embarking on your first PC build or you’re a veteran, our in-depth PC building guide has something for everyone
Rejoice! Your PC is almost ready to go. Don’t turn it on just yet, though, there are still a few more steps standing in your way. Crucially, it’s time to tidy up all those cables and install Windows.
Now begins the tedious task of threading your PC’s cables through the various routing holes and hiding them as well as you can. Tie them down to secure them using any available holes in the frame and thread your cable tie through the anchor points, pulling it tight around the cables and snipping off the end with scissors. This step is essential if you own a PC case with a glass side panel, as you’ll want your PC to look as fancy as possible when you look inside.
How to build your own PC: Installing Windows
Give your PC a once-over, making sure that all the power cables are properly connected. You can then plug your PC into the mains, plug your monitor into your graphics card, connect your keyboard and mouse, and push the case’s power button. If you’re welcomed by a boot screen – congratulations! Everything has gone according to plan.
Now you’ll want to insert your Windows 10 installation (usually on a disc or memory stick). Some motherboards provide the option to select a boot device on their startup screen – if so, select your DVD drive or USB stick and kick off the Windows installation process; if not, tap the Del key when your PC starts, then find the boot section and set the first boot device to the type you’re using.
In the Windows installation, select your language. You’ll be given the option to install Windows on a specific drive, so make sure to choose your SSD for super-speedy boot times. Your PC will restart when the installation process is complete, so just remove the DVD or USB stick and let the PC boot from the drive with Windows installed.
Once you’re in Windows, install your motherboard’s Ethernet or Wi-Fi driver, get your PC online and download the latest Windows updates. After that, visit your motherboard manufacturer’s website to get the latest Windows drivers – start by installing the Intel chipset driver, then install the other ones. Now is also a good time to install any available software for your motherboard.
Finally, download the latest AMD or Nvidia driver for your graphics card from their official websites. Once that’s installed, change your Desktop resolution to the native resolution of your monitor – right-click the Desktop, select ‘Display settings’ and select the correct resolution. Once that’s all done, you should have a well-built, clean-looking PC that’s ready to go.