1. Build Your Own PC! The Simple Guide To Building Your Very Own Personal Computer By Chris Phillips http://students.uta.edu/cs/csp2009

2. Why Should I? • Its not as hard as you would think • It does not take that long to complete • You get exactly what you want • It saves a good deal of money

3. AT/ATX case Motherboard & CPU Hard-drive Memory CD/DVD-ROM Floppy Drive Video Card Sound Card Modem Monitor Mouse & Keyboard Step 1:Picking The Right Parts

4. AT/ATX case • Now-a-days a case with a 300 Watt (or greater) power supply is needed to supply enough power to all the components of your computer. • Good air ventilation is important • It is very important to purchase a good quality case, because one small defect could ruin your entire computer. • Price range: $100 - $200

5. Motherboard & CPU • This is the heart and soul of the computer. This will determine the computer’s overall performance • My suggestion: just go to Fry’s Electronics and buy a motherboard/CPU combo so you don’t have to manually install the CPU • Price range: $50 - $900

6. Hard-drive • This is the device that stores all of your music, video and game files • It would be smart idea to purchase a 40GB (+) hard-drive • Price range: $50 - $200

7. Memory • Memory is very important hardware that also determines the performance of your computer • Density (MB) & frequency (MHz) are two key things to look for • You can never have enough memory • Price range: $20 - $60 for 128-256MB and $100 - $800 for 512MB-2GB

8. CD/DVD-ROM • This device is good for playing music, movies, games and installing software • Performance is measured by 1x - 52x • Price range: $20 - $100

9. Floppy Drive • This device is optional • Good for storing files under 1.44MB on 3.5 inch hard disks • A thing of the past, but nice to have • Price range: $10 - $20

10. Video Card • This device produces the visuals on screen • This device is optional. Most motherboards now-a-days have built in video processors, but an AGP/PCI card performs better • A 32MB+ card is recommended • Price range: $20 - $500

11. Sound Card • This device is what produces sound via speakers • This device is optional. Most motherboards now-a-days have very good built in sound processors, but PCI cards perform better • If you still plan to buy a sound card their price range is $50 - $300

12. Modem • This device is what connects you to the internet • ISP is required • Price range of 56K modem: $20 - $50 • Price range of DSL/Cable modems: depends on the company you contract with (normally around $100)

13. Monitor • Probably the most important piece of hardware to buy. Without it, your tower is just an oversized paperweight • Two options are available CRT and LCD. Nothing fancy needed. CRTs are cheaper and work just as good • Price range: $100 - $500

14. Mouse & Keyboard • Nothing fancy needed as long as the keyboard has all functioning keys and the mouse has left and right buttons. Both must be compatible with the operating system however • Price range: $10 - $50

15. Step 2: Precautions & Preparations • Use a flat table or floor to work on • Static electricity and its harmfulness • Surround yourself with tools. Don’t use power tools (i.e. power drill) • Keep loose screws in a can • Surround yourself with part manuals

16. Step 3: Assembling The Parts • 1: Installing the CPU onto the motherboard • 2: Installing the memory onto the motherboard • 3: Installing PCI and AGP cards onto the motherboard • 4: Installing the hard drive and CD/DVD-ROM • 5: Installing the motherboard (with components attached) • 6: Giving it power • 7: Double check

17. Step 4: Turning It On • Tweaking the BIOS • Formatting the hard-drive • Installing the operating system • Installing drivers

18. Step 5: Afterthoughts To keep your computer running effectively you might want to: • Avoid downloading harmful viruses • Keep dust out of the tower • Defragment the hard-drive

19. Resources • Tom’s Hardware • Fry’s Electronics • PC World • Newegg - This is the site where I acquired all of my hardware photos except the website logo

20. About I am a junior at The University of Texas at Arlington. My current major is Business Finance. Building computers has been a hobby of mine for 2 years. Some people like to work on their cars, I like to work on computers. If anyone has any questions feel free to e-mail me at csp2009@exchange.uta.edu

21. 1: Installing the CPU onto the motherboard • Lift lever on CPU palette • Correctly place CPU on palette with pins and holes matching up • Lower lever on CPU palette • Correctly place heat sink and fan on top of CPU

22. 2: Installing the memory onto the motherboard • Pull back the 2 levers on DIMM slots • Correctly place the memory in the DIMM slots • Push levers forward on DIMM slots to secure the memory

23. 3: Installing PCI and AGP cards onto the motherboard • Remove metal slots on back of computer case • Put PCI card in the PCI slot and bolt the metal plates down with screws • For AGP cards, first pull back tiny lever near the AGP slot. Put AGP card in and release the lever. Then bolt down metal plate with screws

24. 4: Installing the hard drive and CD/DVD-ROM • Simple step. Just put the hard drive and CD/DVD-ROM in an available bay in the pc case

25. 5: Installing the motherboard (with components attached) • Align the motherboard screw holes with the screw holes provided in the case • Screw in the motherboard. Not to tight • Make sure no part of the screw is touching the circuitry on the motherboard

26. 6: Giving it power • Plug in the AT/ATX plug (should be a 20-pin plug • Plug in the cd-rom, hard drive and floppy drive into the IDE connectors on the motherboard • Plug in the 4-pin Molex plugs into any peripheral device that requires this plug • Plug the CPU fan into the motherboard • Plug into the motherboard the wires coming from the front of the case

27. 7: Double check • It is always a good idea to go back and double check your assembly before turning on the computer for the first time