One of those things that every computer ‘geek’ should do at some point is build their own PC, it’s a rite of passage. Yes, you can go to a custom build place or even build a PC on a gamer-centric site like CyberPowerPC.com, but where’s the fun in that? There’s a sense of pride, that you can only feel, when you’re playing Team Fortress 2 on a machine that you build with your own hands. It’s that pride that I wanted to feel, and that’s why I embarked on a new project. I’m building a new PC.
The first thing I did was research, lots and lots of research. The first thing that anyone who has built a PC before will tell you is that you have to research exactally what you want first. Are you looking to build an ‘ulitimate gaming rig’? a ‘video editing beast’? or maybe you just want a budget ‘do-a-bit-of-everything’ box? Whatever you’re looking to build, you have to have a clear picture in your mind before you start buying parts.
She will not help you build your PC…
One of the advantages of building your own machine is that you can pick and choose exactly what goes into the box, but that’s a bit of a double edged sword. There are so many options and pieces that you can put into your machine…it can get overwhelming. That’s where resources like the r/buildapc, The Logical Increments PC Buying Guide, and the Lifehacker ‘Build a PC’ Night School come in handy.
These resources were invaluable to me when I started piecing together my build. The Logical Increments Guide will give you piece-by-piece suggestions based on your budget, r/buildapc will help you with questions you may have, and the Lifehacker Night School will show you what every part does, and how it all fits together.
If you’ve dabbled with the idea of building your own PC, it’s never been easier. Take this chance to head over to the three resources, and learn about the entire process. In part 2, we’ll go through the parts of the build.
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