Build your own computer

Part 1 Shopping
By: Chris Rice

Internet & Technology

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  Part 1: Let’s go shopping!
 
Before we gussy up and get the car keys, here are a few things to know about before building your first PC. First, always ask questions! The best part of building your own computer is the learning experience.

Second, always make sure your parts are compatible with one another (I will give more guided advice on this along the way). And lastly, never be scared! You don’t have to know everything about computers or technology. The people at your local computer store are there to help you, and make the most out of your experience.
 
Now that you’re ready to release your inner geek, let’s get to it. For this tutorial, and the few more to follow, the computer I’m going to build will be an everyday, low-energy using, easy-to-use and entertaining machine. If you wish to make something more or less powerful, feel free. I will be inform you of the differences and similarities throughout the article!
 

Asus P5K

The first parts you want to get for your information power-house are the outer case and the mother board. The outer case is what you see from the outside when you look at a computer. A case is the shell that holds all of the inside components in place, and makes it look stylish and economic. The motherboard is the brain of the computer.

The motherboard delivers and receives all data to and from other components throughout the computer. The most important reason you should start with a motherboard and case is for size reasons. For the computer I will be building,

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I will be using the “Asus P5K” series. The P5K is a “Full sized ATX” motherboard that uses the Intel’s 775 socket (we will talk more about socket sizes when we get to
 processors). The beauty of knowing that our motherboard is a “Full sized ATX” motherboard means that we just need to find a case that is  “Full sized ATX”. Simple eh?
 

ATX Computer Case

I will be using the ultra illuminus Full ATX computer case for this build. The Illuminus is full of easy to use features including tones  of room and has front bay for extra USB ports!

If you want to play copycat, you can get the Asus P5K series for around $150, and any Full sized ATX case from $50-$200 at your local computer store!
 
This concludes the introductory and first steps for building your own personal computer. Come back soon for the next steps when we tackle the power supply, processor, and system memory!