Guide to Pick Parts for a PC Build

This will hopefully show you how to pick parts for building a computer and understanding computer parts.

Step 1: Intro

Building a computer isn’t quite as hard as most think. In most cases, depending on the type of computer you want to build, all that you would need to do is visit a computer part website. As long as you know what to look for and how to find it, you can find your parts within an hour or two.

Step 2: Build's

Now, there are multiple types of builds you can do. But first, you need to figure out what you’re going to use the computer for. Let's say you're making a gaming computer, the most common reason someone would choose to make their own PC. The parts you’re going to need to buy are much better, and in turn much more expensive than the parts you would want if you were going to make a work PC. So once you’ve figured out what you are going to be using the computer you’re building for; then you’re ready to move on.

Step 3: Parts

I will explain what all the parts within the computer do. This can give you an idea on which parts are important. Obviously, all parts for a computer are important that’s why they're there. But, I'll tell you which parts to focus on.

Step 4: CPU

The CPU stands for central processing unit. The processor does exactly that, processes data that is sent to it. The CPU's main jobs are fetching (gathering information), decoding (making the data or information that it gathers useful for the computer), executing (runningprograms), and writeback. Now the CPU has other important features to note. Cache for example, cache memory is located within the CPU and stores data from the main memory. Whatever data that are frequently used or opened. Cores, perform the main function of the CPU, a basic or common CPU contains multiple cores.

Step 5: Graphics Card

GPU stands for graphical processing unit. If you’re creating a gaming PC, then this will be the most important part for you. Graphics cards display images on your monitor. It does this in frames, creating the term frame rate. Frame rate is very important to take into account when making a gaming PC. Bandwidth is very important when buying a graphics card. According to Playtool, “The maximum theoretical memory bandwidth is the product of the memory clock, the transfers per clock based on the memory type, and the memory width”. This, obviously, is very complicated; but what it's saying, generally, is how much memory the graphics card should be able to transfer (measured in MHz) within a given amount of time. The memory type it's referring to is the DDRs (the highest being 4 and most common being 3 and 4). After the graphics card is clocked in; it’s given an amount of Gigabites per seconds (Gb/s). This determines the quality of the graphics card.

Step 6: Hard Drive

This is the computer's main storage unit. Where all the data goes from downloading programs to keeping the programs that come as default with the device. It uses a disk capable of storing multiple terabytes.

Step 7: Motherboard

The motherboard is the brain of the PC. Everything is attached to the motherboard. It also serves as a bridge letting the other components interact with one another. The motherboard itself is a circuit board with various slots and connectors.

Step 8: RAM

RAM is storage that usually houses code instructions important for the function of the computer and programs.

Step 9: Coolants

Fans and liquid coolant serve to keep the computer cool, making sure no components overheat. Processors should usually have their own coolants.

Step 10: Power Supply

A PSU controls the amount of power is draws from the wall outlet. Some are even set to lower the wattage by percentages once the computer is left alone for a period of time.

Step 11: PC Case

A case is the frame of the computer that houses all of the parts.

Step 12: Buying Parts

Buying parts for building a computer is the most important part about the build, also the most difficult. I would recommend looking at websites such asPCpartpicker.com, Newegg.com and outletPC.com. Buying parts is completely dependent on what kind of PC you want to build. Let's say you are trying to get a PC just for work that it’s going to be used for word processing documents and emailing. You could make a PC that would be able to run programs like that for less than $50. On the other hand, maybe you want the top of the line gaming supercomputer. This could possibly run you around $10K.

Step 13: What to Look for in a CPU

When you're looking for a CPU you will come across a lot of specifications. Ghz is most likely the first thing you will see. Ghz within a CPU is how many cycles a second are taking place. Specifically how many billion cycles a second.The more GHz, cores, and cache the better. Generally, the newer the model the better.

Step 14: Looking for a GPU

Believe it or not the first thing you look for when searching for a graphics card is the brand name. You can gather most of what you need just by seeing the name of a GPU. The best brands out there today are: Nvidia, AMD, and MSI.

Other key specifications are: Bandwidth Compatibility Memory size (depending on your desired build)

Step 15: Looking for a Hard Drive

There is really only one thing you have to look for in a harddrive, storage. So I would choose a harddrive depending on what I would do with the computer. For example if it was going to be used for video games then the amount of storage needed would be far greater than what it is need it for work, because the sizes of the programs are far greater than that of what you would use in a work computer.

Step 16: Looking for a Motherboard

When looking for a motherboard there are lots of things to take into account. The first thing I would begin to look at is slots and availability. If it has enough room for what you want to put in it. Then I would suggest looking at its model and when it was made or released. The more recent the better.

Step 17: RAM

Choosing RAM is all in the storage. 4-8Gb of RAM is common between computers. In most builds you shouldn't need anymore then 16Gb. Another big part of finding RAM is its compatibility. There are different types of RAM, DDR-4, DDR-3. You should find out which type works in your motherboard.

Step 18: Power Supply

Choosing a power supply isn’t very difficult. Generally the more wattage and voltage the better. Now, if you're trying to save money, here's the tricky part, you would need to find out how much power consumption your build would get you; so it should be the last thing you buy. A good site for finding your power consumption is http://outervision.com/power-supply-calculator

Step 19: Example of a Regular Build

Next, I'm going to give an example of a standard build. This would be useful if you're just an average user. Maybe you're going to be using this computer to play some games, surf the web or just watch an occasional video. You’re probably going to be spending around $300 on this type of build.

CPU-Intel Pentium G4400 3.3GHz Dual-Core Processor

GPU-Zotac GeForce GTX 1050 2GB Mini Video Card

Motherboard-Asus H110M-A/M.2 Micro ATX LGA1151 Motherboard

RAM-Crucial 4GB (1 x 4GB) DDR4-2133 Memory

Power supply-Logisys 480W ATX Power Supply

Case-Deepcool TESSERACT SW ATX Mid Tower Case

Fan-Cooler Master SickleFlow 69.7 CFM 120mm Fan

Total price: $344.02

Step 20: Example of a Cheep Build

Unfortunately, this built would not be achievable in a large scale because you have to find parts on sale or parts that aren't manufactured anymore. This means that they are in very low supply and nearly extinct due to the low performance they offer compared to the high performing parts today.

The way he was able to achieve this built was by getting a lot of the parts and the case for free. He purchase a computer missing parts on ebay for $0.

The following built on the other hand is the complete polar opposite of the $25 gaming PC. This PC totals around $30,000 and it’s able to support 7 users at once. That’s right 7 people are able to play the most demanding games at the same time and they can even keep above 60 frames per seconds (fps). This is highly impractical, although absolutely awesome.

Step 21: Here's an Example of a High Costing Build

Here is my own example of a high range build too!

High Range:
Site used:PCpartpicker.com

CPU:Intel Core i7-6700K 4.0GHz Quad-Core Processor

CPU cooler:NZXT Kraken X62 Liquid CPU Cooler

Mother Board:Asus Z170-A ATX LGA1151 Motherboard

Ram:Corsair Vengeance LPX 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR4-3000 Memory X2

Harddrive/ ssd:Samsung 850 EVO-Series 1TB 2.5" Solid State Drive +Seagate Barracuda 2TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive

GPU:MSI GeForce GTX 1080 8GB GAMING X 8G Video Card

Case:Corsair Crystal 460X RGB ATX Mid Tower Case

Powersupply:EVGA 850W 80+ Gold Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply

OS:Microsoft Windows 10 Pro OEM 64-bit

Wireless Network adpt:Gigabyte GC-WB867D-I PCI-Express x1 802.11a/b/g/n/ac Wi-Fi Adapter

Case Fan:NZXT Aer RGB120 (3-pack) 61.4 CFM 120mm Fans

Total Cost: $2367.44

Step 22: Get Out There and Build a Computer

Finally, with this guide you are ready to begin the process of building your first computer. Assembly is fairly a straightforward process that is adequately cover is the following video