Building Your Own PC: A Quick Guide

We all like to do things on our own from time to time. That makes us proud and we get to practice our DIY skills, which serves as a valuable lesson, in the moment and in life.

There are many things which we can do on our own, from learning how to solder and fix simple component failures on our electronic devices, to how to build our own PC. This guide will tell you how to go about building your own PC, provided that you already purchased all the necessary components.

Here we go!

Clear the Case And Install the Power Supply

The power supply is what gives power to your computer. Before installing it, you will want to check the case and empty it, as there might be some materials inside. Usually, you might find a plastic bag with all the necessary screws and spacers. Check whether the motherboard standoffs are in place. They are basically screws into which you screw in the motherboard screws, lifting it from the case. Check the number of screws and location of the screws against the holes in your motherboard.

Then, you can go ahead and install the power supply. It usually goes in the bottom or top part of the case, in the back. 

Install the CPU, RAM and NVME SSD

Let’s face it, any modern build will have an NVME SSD, so installing that should be done while the motherboard is out of the case. It will give you better clearance. Most boards have a heatsink which goes on top of the SSD, which requires small Phillips-head screwdrivers most of the time.

The CPU installation varies, whether it’s Intel or AMD and which platform you are installing them in. Install the RAM and then install the CPU cooler. You always install RAM first, because the cooler might get in the way. RAM is always installed in the slot furthest away from the CPU, and then you skip one slot and install the second stick. That way you get dual channel memory.

Note, if you have a liquid cooler which comes as an AIO (all in one), then you can install it after placing the motherboard in the PC, provided that you install the mounting bracket first.

Install the Accessories in the Case

If you have hard drives or SSDs, it is a good time to install them in the case, prior to installing the motherboard. It is also a good time to install any intake and exhaust fans if you want to have a push-pull system, good for cycling air inside the case. Always do this type of work before installing the motherboard, as the CPU and definitely graphics card, will be in your way.

Installing the Motherboard and Connecting the Cables and Installing the Graphics Card

Once you are done with the case, you can install the motherboard. Grab it by the CPU cooler if it is an air cooler. They are perfectly stable. Once you install and screw in the motherboard, you can go ahead and connect all the appropriate cables, the 24 pin, the CPU 8 pin, the power, reset and LED cables, the RGB and FAN cables, SSDs and HDDs. It is also a good time to install your AIO and connect it to an appropriate fan/AIO header.

Then you can install the graphics card, always in the top PCIe slot. Make sure to remove the metal slots on the back of the case so that your graphics card can fit. Install and connect it with the appropriate power cables from the PSU.

Connect your newly built PC to a monitor and power cable (turn on the power supply) and try it out!