How to Build a Fast & Stable Desktop Publishing PC

Cooling the computer is very important. The cooler the CPU, the more stable.

To build a fast and stable desktop publishing PC, you need to have a low operating temperature, compatible components, a video card that is approved by the desktop publishing software you use, and hard drives in a RAID array that mirrors or has parity data. RAID is a configuration that allows multiple hard drives to be linked together to increase speed and safeguard data. The mirroring on RAID 1 ensures there is always a backup of data in case of drive failure. RAID 5 uses parity files that can recover specific data if there is a crash. RAID 5 is faster than RAID 1, but not quite as safe.

Things You'll Need

• Case
• Power supply
• Motherboard with RAID 1 or 5
• CPU
• Video card
• Hard drive
• Optical disk drive
• Screw driver
• Anti-static workstation or wrist strap

Instructions

1. 

   Make sure the motherboard fits the case and has good airflow.

   Place the motherboard into the computer case and secure it. Make sure the case fans will have good airflow when attaching the rest of the components.

2. 

   This heat sink and fan can reliably cool a CPU.

   Attach the CPU to the motherboard and then apply enough thermal paste to cover the top of the CPU. Place the heat sink on top of the CPU and lock it down. Make sure the thermal paste covers every inch of the CPU or you could have heat problems down the road that will result in a less stable system.

3. 

   12 GB or more of RAM is often necessary for memory-hungry desktop publishing applications.

   Put the RAM into the memory slots on the motherboard and lock them down. RAM with heat sinks on top will run better than bare memory.

4. 

   Video cards with top fans can contribute to unnecessary system heat.

   Attach the video card to the PCI-Express slot in the motherboard and screw it into the back panel. When selecting a video card, look for one approved for use with your desktop publishing program of choice. Also, try to get one that blows the hot air out the back of the computer. Avoid the video cards have fans that shoot the hot air right into the CPU.

5. 

   Hard drives in a RAID 5 array will have better performance and are safer than a single drive.

   Place the optical disk drive into the drive bay and attach the SATA cables. The SATA, or serial ATA cables are smaller and more round than the standard ATA ribbon cables. Then take the hard drives and place them into the hard drive bay, or use adapters to put them into the 3.5-inch bays. Connect the drives to the motherboard's SATA RAID connector. Depending on the motherboard, this could be in a different place than the standard SATA connector. Consult your manual for more help.

6. 

   Although sometimes difficult, organized wires in a computer case enables good air flow.

   Put the power supply into the case and secure it. Connect the power cables to the video card, motherboard, hard drives and optical disc drive, then secure the wires together to keep air flow as unimpeded as possible.

7. Close the case, attach a keyboard, mouse and monitor, and push the power button. The BIO's, which allow the user to configure motherboard options, should load up. Configure the RAID, either in the BIO's or by installing software supplied by the motherboard manufacturer, then install your operating system and desktop publishing software of choice.

Tips & Warnings

• Keep the computer clean of dust by cleaning it every two weeks. Dust can short-circuit components of the computer and will lead to the fans' operating poorly.

• Always be cautious when working around electronic components.

• Take anti-static precautions when working with static-sensitive devices.

References

• Tom's Hardware: Build Your Own PC
• University of Massachusetts: Basic RAID Organizations

Resources

• Adobe: Supported OpenGL Cards