Build Your Own PC
Purchase/Collect ComponentsMay 31, 1999
By David Risley
Often this step is the one which takes the longest amount of time and consideration. Which parts do I buy? Which components are best?
There are many good places to buy computer parts. You can go to a computer retail store in your area. The support is usually good, and they provide decent warranties. The trade-off will be that you will pay a little more than you would in other places. Sometimes, a lot more.
Most towns have smaller stores that sell and repair computer equipment. These are not large retail stores, but instead usually in an office suite in a strip mall. Regardless of location, though, such stores are often cheaper and can provide individual attention. Their hardware is often retail packaged from the manufacturer, in a box and all. But, they also sell OEM hardware, usually wrapped in nothing but plastic and have little documentation. You will need to be the judge on this type of hardware.
Let's go through each type of hardware.
- Case Make sure you buy a case which will fit the space you intend to use it in. Allow room for expandability: spare drive bays, ample room to work inside. Make sure it has a power supply. Is the case clean?
- Motherboard It needs to fit in the case you choose and support all hardware you intend to use. Make sure it has ample documentation. For more info, see Motherboard Buying Tips.
- Processor Inspect the CPU for bent pins. Don't touch the pins.
- Memory Make sure your motherboard fully supports the memory that you buy. Take into consideration parity and memory type (SDRAM, EDO?). When handling the memory, avoid touching the contacts. Along with this, buy a cache module if your motherboard doesn't have the cache built on.
- Video Card For high-performance, buy a PCI video card. Consider your main uses: business programs, or 3D gaming. If you are doing any graphical work or games with this system, you should buy a mid to high end video card. It is better to get one from a major manufacturer in multimedia such as Diamond, but more generic cards, such as Trident, are usually good for multi-purpose use.
- Floppy Drive Really very straightforward. Make sure it looks good and the pins are all intact. Don't even consider a 5<" floppy!
- Hard Drive Make sure it looks good. Always buy new hard drives. And make sure it has a manual.
- CD-ROM Make sure it has a driver installation disk. You will need to get this drive working quickly so that you can install the operating system.
- Keyboard & Mouse Rather self-explanatory. Make sure the keyboard connector fits into the plug on the motherboard, otherwise you may need an adapter. Make sure the mouse works. And choose the right kind for your system: serial or PS/2.
- Heat Sink/Fan Get a heat sink and fan rated for the processor you intend to use. If it is not already attached to the CPU, you will need to pick up heat sink compound. Heat sink compound isn't needed on all systems due to clips on many heat sinks that attach them to tabs on the CPU socket.
- Drive cables Make sure you have all cables for connecting the hard drive, floppy drive, and CD-ROM to the I/O on the motherboard or I/O card. These cables usually are supplied with the motherboard, but not always, and maybe not in the quantity you need.
- Audio Cable Usually supplied with the CD-ROM, it connects your CD-ROM to your sound card directly.
- Screws Make sure you have enough screws. Usually, an ample amount is supplied with your case. Make sure the screws are the right size. There are different sizes used for connecting card than for connecting drives, and if you try using a large screw on the drive, you'll crack the drive.
The above hardware is necessary to build the system and make it functional. Other hardware, while some can't live without it, is extra and will be discussed a little later.
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