Our previous articles addressed two vital parts of building your own PC. In this final article of the series, we will take a look into the actual process of putting the PC together. We will review the principles of safety, protecting your investment (parts), remaining patient, and placing the hardware together one piece at a time. At this point of the series, you’re probably anxious in finishing the project to get back to gaming or creating videos for your family. Consider the importance of taking your time to make sure everything is right. If you rush this aspect, all of your hard work can go up in smoke.

Safety Facts - ESD

Have you ever felt a small shock from the static sent from one person through your system? Imagine this happening to your motherboard, hard drive, or RAM before installation. It can cause the equipment to lose its initial charge by Electrical Static Discharge. Electrical Static Discharge (ESD) is a deadly shock that can occur from working on PC equipment without purchasing an anti-static set which include an anti-static wrist wrap, bags, and surfaces. These are available online and in electronic retail stores; purchase one before you begin putting your PC parts together so you can protect your investments.

Protect Your Investment

Please keep your kids away from your work area. In fact, place the PC parts in the appropriate anti-static bags to prevent ESD transfers between your office and the parts. If you find that certain parts need cleaning, purchase a blower to remove the debris from the surface of the equipment. Do not touch anything open such as RAM, hard drives, and motherboards because it can cause an issue with the makeup of the device. The majority of the protection is basic maintenance tips to ensure the safe transport of all of your PC parts without damage.

Remain Patient

Are you ready to get to work? The excitement circulating this project probably has created goose bumps up your arm. Do not rush through the installation process involving the parts of your PC. Be careful not to push too hard, brush too hard, or leave equipment without anti-static protection. Anything can happen in a split second that can damage your investment completely. The majority of today’s first-time builders make minor mistakes, but you can overcome this issue by taking your time to build the PC the right way.

One Piece at a Time

It takes patience to put a PC together one piece at a time. The motherboard is the most important aspect of the PC because it functions as the mainframe. If you understand the basics of the motherboard, you can build a great PC in as little as a week (with all of the parts available).

Remember, the case is a primary concern in building a functional PC. Your case is the definition of the kind of PC you can build because it’s the mainframe of the whole process. The processor, RAM, hard drive, floppy disk (if applicable), sound card, and video graphic card falls in line with the main pieces of the PC. You will feel, notice, and appreciate a sense of achievement once you start building the PC from the inside out.

Visit Netwind Learning Center for more information regarding PC repairs.

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Okay, it’s obvious that you’re interested in building your own PC if you’re moving onto the second part of this three part series. The most interesting part of building your own PC requires finding each and every piece that works in conjunction with the PC you want. Sometimes it’s hard to find the perfect hard drive with the power you need on a budget. Below you will find a list of required parts for ANY PC project you undertake.

Required Parts for ANY PC:

Monitor

Motherboard

Modem

Keyboard

RAM

Power Supply

Mouse

Processor

Hard Drive

PC Case

Sound Card

Universal Power Cord

Floppy Disk (if applicable)

Fan

Internal Wireless Card

Video Adapter

In this article, you’re going to learn three great places to locate these parts to build a functional PC that’s on a low budget. Some of our destinations will require a bit more money to get the right parts to work without sacrificing the integrity of the project.

Online Auction Sites

Online auctions sites such as eBay have an array of PC parts available for low prices. In fact, sellers offer lots of certain equipment including RAM, processors, and power supplies on a good day. One factor you must consider in purchasing from an online auction site is the reliability of the equipment. As with any electronic purchase, ask the seller questions regarding the products including:

Where did the parts come from?

Do they work with my current processor/motherboard?

Does the fan fit my kind of case?

Will I be able to return the equipment if it is faulty?

Concentrate on the details provided in every email with the sellers. The great thing about online auction sites is you can contact or complain if someone does not keep their end of the bargain in the sale. Since you’re on a budget, you have to find the right equipment with some kind of warranty that you’ll receive your money back if it does not work. Online auction sites such as eBay can provide this guarantee because all transactions are monitored through PayPal.

Retail Stores

Retail stores offer warranties, sales, and extreme discounts on old equipment in need of quick sales. Learn all of the details pertaining to purchasing procedures and return policies for faulty equipment. Top electronic retail stores keep a 14 day return policy that allows you two weeks to try the equipment before you can return it for a full refund.

In the midst of looking for equipment, you will have a knowledgeable associate to assist in finding the best parts for your project. Keep a list of all of the parts you have at home then come to the store to find the remaining parts needed to fulfill the details of your PC. An associate will be the perfect help in locating discounted or low priced parts to fit in the puzzle.

Local Libraries and Other Sources

Local libraries, flea markets, and yard sales can be a goldmine in finding old or current hardware necessary for building your PC. Your local library may offer short sales of old computer equipment as well as desktop computers that require little upgrading. Do not cut short on visiting these locations to find parts because they seem out of range; in fact, you may find more for your money.

Finding parts is the second step in creating a fast, functional PC under a tight budget. Anyone can find these parts at a reasonable price. Consider your needs before you go on your search. Do not go back too far where none of the software works on it properly. Focus on current systems that can manage Windows XP or better. With the costs of computer parts dropping to the industry’s lowest costs, you can build a supreme PC for as little as $200-300.

For more information about PC repairs, visit Netwind Learning Center

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