How to Build a Cheap and Fast Computer

Computers are becoming cheaper. Unfortunately, the cheap base offering only offers slow components. Building a computer yourself provides you with the opportunity to build a better computer than commercial offerings for a specific price point. You will be able to choose what components are best for how you will be using your computer. If you want a computer to play games with, you will need to get a video card that can handle the games you want to play. If you want to process your image you will need more RAM, a medium power CPU and a large screen.

Things You'll Need

• Phillips screw driver

Instructions

Usage

1. Determine what the computer will be used for. Is it for Internet use? Is it for gaming? Processing your pictures?

2. If you already have a computer make a list of what you wish was different. Less time to start? More storage for your pictures or video?

3. Make a budget for your computer.

Purchase

1. If you need a computer for general Internet use and gaming use, purchase the cheapest dual core processor, around $50. For video and image processing purchase a mid range dual core processor or a cheap quad core that can be had around $90.

2. Purchase 2 GB of RAM minimum. If your budget allows purchase 4 GB.

3. For video and image processing, purchase a motherboard with integrated video card from AMD or Nvidia. Integrated means the video card is integrated to the motherboard. If you want a gaming computer, purchase a separate video card. Check Resources to find the video card that fits best your budget.

4. Purchase a 500 GB to 1 TB hard drive depending on your budget. Hard drive store the operating system and all your data.

5. Purchase a display for your computer. For pictures choose a display with good color rendition as the difference between on screen and print can be radical with low end displays. Purchase a case with power supply of 400 to 500W. Purchase a cheap DVD/CD drive.

Building

1. Clear a large table. Open the processor socket on the motherboard. Install the processor and close the socket. Install the memory in the memory slot. Memory and processor have a tongue and groove system to avoid installing them the wrong way. Install the Heat sink on top of the processor using the manufacturer's manual.

2. Open the case, install the motherboard and secure it with the screws found in the case's box. Secure the hard drive and DVD/CD drive with the same set of screws. If you have a dedicated video card, install it now and secure it with a screw.

3. Connect the case and power cables to the motherboard. Connect the hard drives and CD/DVD drive to the motherboard and the power supply.

4. Connect the power cord to the case and power the computer. Check if all the fans are spinning and that everything is power connected. Unplug the computer and close the case. Put the computer in place and reconnect the power cord. Connect the display to the computer as well as the keyboard and mouse.

5. Turn the computer on and insert the operating system installation CD/DVD. Follow the on-screen instruction to install your operating system.

Tips & Warnings

• Check the video card's manual to see if you need to connect a power cable to the video card.

• Check the review on newegg.com to see what is the best case for the budget you have left.

References

• tom's Hardware : Build you own

Resources

• tom's Hardware: Performance charts graphics cards
• Tom's Hardware: Performance charts processors