How to Build a Computer from Scratch: The Complete Course

Identify your user type—gamer, productivity user, or casual—and budget accordingly, selecting parts like a strong graphics card or a compact case within 200–600, 600–1200, or 1200+.

Learn the essential pc parts and their purposes, including motherboard, cpu, ram, graphics card, storage, optical drive, power supply, and cooling, and how faster processors and dedicated graphics affect performance.

Discover how logical increments dot com helps you plan a pc build and budget using a color-coded tier grid of real parts, with guidance to research components.

Learn to use Newegg’s filters to find gaming graphics cards with at least four gigabytes of memory, a $200–$300 price, and VR readiness, then review specs and pros and cons.

Discover how pcpartpicker helps you build a compatible computer by checking component compatibility, estimating wattage, and listing prices from outlets for your custom build.

Identify your user type and budget to guide PC component choices. Use the provided tools to determine these factors as you learn which specifications matter for different user needs.

Identify the essential parts and key aspects to consider when choosing components, while noting optional parts you may want for a successful PC build.

Choose the right CPU by weighing Intel vs AMD options, socket compatibility, cores, TDP, and clock speed, while considering overclocking risks, cooling needs, and benchmarks.

Explain the differences between i3, i5, and i7: i3 is dual-core with hyper-threading, i5 is quad-core without it, i7 is quad-core with hyper-threading; hyper-threading benefits heavy calculation tasks.

Learn to use passmark.com to benchmark cpus, compare models, and view thousands of user-tested scores and cpu value ratings to identify the best buy.

Choose a compatible graphics card by considering form factor, PCI Express slot, clock speed, and memory size; weigh DirectX support, CrossFire options, and benchmarks for smooth 60 fps gameplay.

Compare graphics cards with the nanotech benchmark site to see real-world fps performance in games like Rise of the Tomb Raider and crisis three, helping you pick the better buy.

Choose RAM by balancing capacity, channel type, and compatibility, from 4 gigabytes for casual use to 16 gigabytes for productivity, and confirm ddr3 or ddr4 support.

Choose between a hard drive and an SSD based on data needs, rpm, and the SATA interface. Recommend at least 1 TB for most users.

Choose a motherboard that fits your case, supports your components, and matches socket type, form factor, RAM type and speed, PCI slots, USB ports, and display outputs.

Determine your wattage needs with a calculator or PCPartPicker, then choose a modular 80+ power supply from Corsair, EVGA, or Cooler Master, budgeting for future upgrades.

Select a pc case by balancing size, airflow, noise, drive bays, ports, cable management, and aesthetics while ensuring motherboard compatibility with your build.

Explore how Tom's Hardware forum helps you plan and publish a pc build, share goals and a permalink, and receive community feedback on your hardware choices.

Check compatibility issues, verify your budget with the part picker, post your final build on Tom's Hardware for input, then order parts and assemble the PC.

Watch a detailed, step-by-step computer assembly that shows every part and cable in comprehensive footage to ensure the build is done properly.

Ground yourself to prevent static discharge before handling components. Align the golden triangle with the socket markers, seat the CPU into the socket, and lock the hinge to secure it.

Install a heat sink and fan, choose stock or third-party cooler, mount plastic casing for AMD or Intel, apply pea-sized thermal paste, align, secure with screws, and power the fan.

Install two 4-GB RAM sticks into the motherboard's slots as shown in the manual, aligning the notches correctly. Press down evenly until the clips snap, securing an eight-gigabyte RAM setup.

Mount the motherboard in the case by installing the IO shield, aligning holes with standoffs, and securing screws to prevent shorts.

Install the graphics card by removing the front panels, aligning the card’s pin connectors with the PCIe slot, lowering it into the slot, and securing it with a screw.

Install an SSD into a 2.5 inch drive bay, connect the SATA cable to the SSD and motherboard, and secure it with screws.

Remove the front lid, insert the optical drive into the bay, secure with two screws, and install Windows from the drive (or boot from USB if needed).

install the modular power supply into the back of the case, align the ac power slot and on/off switch, then secure it with screws using a screwdriver.

Learn to connect power supply cables to the motherboard and components, including the 8-pin CPU, 24-pin ATX, 6-pin SATA for SSD and optical drive, and 8-pin PCIe.

Connect the case cables to the motherboard by plugging in the usb 3.0, hd audio, front panel buttons, and three system fans, following motherboard pin layout.

Assemble parts, connect cables, power on, verify fans and LCD indicators, confirm the SSD boots, run idle to check for malfunctions, and celebrate your first PC.

Learn practical pc troubleshooting tactics to diagnose startup issues, test power, reseat RAM, check cables and cooling, and swap components using motherboard debugging indicators.

Install Windows by setting BIOS boot order, selecting the CD drive as the first boot device, and entering language, time, currency, and keyboard settings, plus the product key and license.

Learn to connect a computer to the internet using wired ethernet and wireless options, including USB plug-and-play external adapters and internal PCI Wi-Fi cards.

Open settings, go to update and security, and select Windows Update to check for updates. Click for updates to view the update status and begin installation.

Open device manager to identify missing drivers with a yellow triangle, then install the latest from the manufacturer or a CD; Windows 10 updates drivers automatically.

Nine-Nine lets first-time builders install and update all chosen programs at once. Choose popular apps like Chrome, Notepad++, Steam, Dropbox, Spotify, and antivirus for a convenient setup.

Discover the CPQ tool to inspect cpu, memory, mainboard, graphics, and bench data, and learn to run stress tests to evaluate overclock stability and safety.

Clean and speed up your pc with seek cleaner by analyzing and deleting cookies, temporary internet files, and junk dumps; scan the registry; manage startup programs; and schedule regular cleanups.

We celebrate finishing the build with chosen parts and Windows installed, and everything is working. We invite you to share your build story and rate the course.