Contents
The computer is created from ready-made components, as from the cubes of a children’s designer. The components are standardized, their connection will not create problems, you will not need anything more complicated than a screwdriver, as we have already said. You just need to choose the right components for the optimal construction of the system you need.
Assembling a desktop computer is easy – you can easily buy the necessary components at retail. A laptop or tablet system is somewhat more complicated, but only because the acquisition of components is much more difficult, it is better to purchase such computers ready-made.
What do we get by assembling a computer?
New knowledge, namely understanding the principles of building a computer system. After that, we will understand exactly what is “under the hood” of the PC.
Skills that allow you to independently upgrade your computer, expanding the capabilities of the system to the desired level or repair it. In both cases, you will need to replace the desired “cubes” either with serviceable ones or with the required characteristics.
The possibility in the future – if desired – to mod the system, turning the desktop PC from a utilitarian item into an art object. Of course, the system will retain all its functions, that is, it will not only decorate the house, but also work.
Build a PC together with your children: the younger generation will benefit from additional knowledge of computer technology, and joint activities (and even with your hands!) Bring family members closer.
It is unlikely that you will be able to get noticeable savings by assembling a computer yourself. We will give the necessary recommendations for choosing components at the best prices, but manufacturers, for obvious reasons, do it better. In addition, manufacturers carry out bulk purchases, which is always cheaper than buying at retail. You should also remember the time spent on the entire process of assembling a computer, and “time is money.”
What are we collecting?
There is no “universal computer”. The created system is optimized depending on a number of parameters. The main thing is the tasks that you will solve. You should also remember about the economic side of the issue – the cost of systems can differ several times.
Consider three options for assembling a desktop computer, which are most in demand today.
The simplest system for easy tasks – browsing, social networks, instant messengers, preparing documents. Such a computer is the easiest to assemble, and it is inexpensive, which is important for many s.
A middle-class system that allows you to work and play. Such a computer will be good for the most common photo and video processing tasks. For most users, this one will be optimal, both for applied tasks of study / work, and for home creativity and entertainment.
A gaming computer that will run modern games, and applications for work and creativity will simply “fly” on it, including those related to video editing and photo processing.
Choosing accessories
The choice of components is the most difficult task. The reason is that there is no universal algorithm here, although some recommendations can be given.
We recommend using a balanced approach, while minimizing the likelihood of a big mistake and extra spending.
IMPORTANT! Choose components of the middle price range, preferably not the newest, but developed a year and a half ago. Well, up to two years, but no more! Components practically do not deteriorate, but are rapidly becoming obsolete, so the solutions presented three to five years ago turn out to be “rare” today and, quite possibly, they will turn out to be a “bottleneck” in your system, significantly reducing overall performance.
We remind you that we are assembling a computer in a modern “above average” configuration capable of meeting almost any request within the next three to four years. Based on this, we choose the components.
What you need to remember when “self-assembly”
Accuracy is a must! There is nothing difficult in connecting the components, but the components must be connected correctly and securely. It is unlikely that it will be possible to connect incorrectly – the connectors allow unambiguous connection options – and accuracy is required for accurate connection (“until it clicks”) and correct fixation (where it is needed).
Significant effort is not required. If suddenly it seems to you that you need to press hard to connect, this clearly indicates an attempt to connect incorrectly. Understand how it is right, but you don’t need to press – this way you can easily and simply break a component worth several thousand rubles.
Your computer will not be under warranty. You will be provided with it for individual components, but not for the entire system. After assembly, you will be able to deal with most problems yourself, so you will not really need a guarantee, just be prepared for its absence.
You will have to install the operating system and drivers yourself.
For the stable operation of electronic components, it is necessary to maintain the temperature within the operating values, this is a necessary condition. Therefore, when installing fans, try to place them so that they blow over the most intensively working components – processor, memory, video card. Also, pay attention to the placement of components and connecting cables, which should not obscure each other from the fans and do not block the main ventilation holes in the case.
entry level system
There is a little trick here – it is better to choose a barebone – a case with a pre-installed power supply and a motherboard on which integrated graphics will already be installed. You just have to install the processor, RAM and storage.
Processor
Intel Pentium. Even if you really want to save money, we do not recommend taking Atom and Celeron – their performance will not last long. If you put Core i3, then there will be some performance margin, if you need one.
RAM
16 GB, DDR4-2666, like a mid-range machine. All the same Kingston HyperX Fury, 2 × 8 GB or XPG GAMMIX D10 DDR4 will do.
Video card
Do you remember what we save? Therefore, we will manage the built-in video card. For example, when choosing an Intel Core i3-8300 processor, we get an adequate Intel UHD 630 graphics accelerator, which will even allow you to play mid-XNUMXs titles.
Жесткий диск
We will manage with one, in order to save money – a spindle hard drive. Toshiba DT01ACA with a capacity of 1 TB is quite sufficient.
Motherboard, cooling system, case and power supply
As we have already agreed, we select the barebone system in this configuration. In this case, we recommend a simple one, for example, Gigabyte GA-H110MSTX or Shuttle NC03U. The power supplies there are not very powerful, but for the existing “stuffing” they are quite sufficient.
Middle class system
Processor
Intel Core i5-8400. Why Intel? Because these are the most common processors, so there will be no problems with their purchase and you won’t have to overpay “for rarity”. Why Core i5? Because its performance will definitely be enough for you for three years, even with some margin. Why “8400”? But because today it is the “golden mean”, the most profitable based on the price / performance parameter: it will be less profitable to buy the oldest model due to a noticeably higher price, the youngest available one – due to clearly lower performance.
Motherboard
We exclude top solutions, specialized cards, refuse ultra-compact solutions, stop at the ATX or mini-ATX form factor (we’ll talk about this below, in the “chassis” section), but in this case we have a lot of options. Although we are assembling a middle-class computer, we recommend choosing a gaming motherboard – in this segment, manufacturers often update their lineup, offering solutions based on optimal circuitry.
Example: Asus ROG Strix Z390-E GAMING, quite modern and at the same time not the latest or top-end. The board we recommend has a number of nice features. For example, it has reinforced slots so that during assembly a not very experienced user does not accidentally damage the “motherboard” mechanically, making excessive efforts to install the component. In addition, a good sound card, modern network controllers (both for cable and wireless connections) and a good set of ports for connecting external devices and internal components are already installed on this board. Competitors also have analogues, for example, MSI, y Gigabyte and other companies.
RAM
16 GB, DDR4-2666. With such a volume, almost all applications will run without problems and work without noticeable “brakes” even with large files. There is never too much memory, of course, but today 16 GB is enough.
Example: Kingston HyperX Fury, 2 × 8 GB. Of course, other options are also possible, for example, XPG GAMMIX D10 DDR4. Note that these are dice built on the “nothing more” principle, but they have heatsinks to improve passive cooling (we will talk about the importance of cooling in more detail below).
Video card
Nvidia GeForce GTX 1660, like other components, was chosen on the basis of the principle of reasonable sufficiency for today, but at the same time a little “for growth” in order to remain relevant for tomorrow. Why do we strongly recommend installing a discrete graphics card, and a fairly modern one, if the motherboard we recommend has integrated Intel graphics? Firstly, modern games will require such a map. Secondly, modern computers are becoming “two-headed”, using the resources of both central processing units (CPU) and graphics processors (GPU) located on the video card to solve practical problems.
Жесткий диск
They will need two – solid state (SSD) and traditional (HDD). Again, we recommend choosing gaming ones that are designed for intensive work.
For example, as a solid-state we recommend Western Digital SN750 from the Black gaming series with an optimized heat pack and the ability to install an optional passive radiator, but with a capacity of 500 GB. Options up to 3 TB are available, but they are still very expensive.
The requirements for the second hard drive are softer, but we also recommend opting for a modern model, for example, the Toshiba DT01ACA series with a spindle speed of 7200 rpm. Modifications are available with a capacity from 1 to 3 TB, choose depending on the amount of data that you want to have at hand. There are alternatives, for example, from Seagate in the Barracuda series.
Cooling system
You will need to install a fan on the processor. The standard one that comes with the processor is enough in most cases. Video cards are supplied with their own active cooling (several fans are installed on them), the memory modules recommended by us also come with cooling modules (although with passive ones – they only have heatsinks), an optional heatsink is installed on the SDD recommended by us, most cases are supplied with a cooler for cooling the entire system.
Chassis
The simplest solution is a mini-tower, which will definitely fit both the selected motherboard and graphics card, and the components will be quite spacious. Cases today are the most interesting engineering solutions created at the intersection of ergonomics, thermal physics and modern design. But we are talking about assembling the first computer, so the simplest mini-tower will be enough.
Take Cooler Master’s MasterBox Q300L as an example, which is interesting for both vertical and horizontal installation, has a neutral design, built-in dust filters, a transparent side panel in the latest fashion and a complete powerful fan. But in this case, this is just an example, the cases are presented in large quantities, so it is quite easy to choose according to your taste.
Power supply unit
With a power of at least 500 W, although more is not needed for the configuration we have chosen. It is quite possible that the power supply will be pre-installed in the case, if not (as, for example, in the Q300L mentioned in the paragraph above), choose from a specialized company, for example, Cooler Master MasterWatt is suitable, although, of course, options are possible.
When the components are selected, it remains to purchase them, which for the first time can be quite difficult.
Gaming PC
Processor
Intel Core i7-9700K. Not the oldest available i7 option, but still a “seven”, otherwise your computer will become outdated too quickly and will cease to be relevant for gaming tasks, as it will not pull modern games with decent graphics settings.
Motherboard
Of course, gaming, you can Asus ROG Strix Z390-E GAMING mentioned above, for gaming systems of primary and middle class it is quite enough.
RAM: 32 GB, DDR4-2666. The Kingston HyperX Fury, 4 × 8 GB discussed above, is quite suitable, as well as the XPG GAMMIX D10 DDR4 mentioned as a competitor. But you can take “gaming” memory, already with LED backlighting, for example, GigaByte DDR4 DIMM 3600MHz PC4-28800 (they also have a pre-installed heat sink, which improves heat dissipation), or Thermaltake WaterRam RGB Liquid Cooling with backlight and built-in water cooling.
Video card
Nvidia GeForce GTX 1660 minimum. You can choose a more powerful card, for example, GeForce RTX 2060 Super or GeForce RTX 2060 Super, more advanced models are sharply more expensive, we do not recommend them for beginner assemblers.
Жесткий диск
They will definitely need two – solid-state (SSD) and traditional (HDD). The above-mentioned tandem of solid-state Western Digital SN750 and spindle on Toshiba DT01ACA series is quite suitable for games for a start. If you plan to use the machine for creative tasks, it’s better to take larger drives: SSD is not 500 GB, but 1 TB, and HDD is 3 TB instead of 1 TB.
Chassis
It is better to choose a more spacious one, with transparent elements and complete fans – this approach will save you from choosing fans for the air cooling system, and if necessary, will allow you to install water cooling with a pump, but this is already fierce aesthetics. An example is the relatively inexpensive Thermaltake View 37 ARGB Edition, which has three complete fans, all of which are equipped with fashionable LED backlighting. The body is large – mid-tower, weighs 11 kg, and without a power supply.
Power supply unit
With a power of at least 750 watts, then the margin will not be superfluous. High-performance processors consume a lot, sooner or later you will want to install a new video card that will be more powerful, and, therefore, will be more gluttonous than the existing one – in order not to change the power supply, it is better to immediately provide a margin of “watts”. An example is Thermaltake BX1 RGB 750W, it also has a backlit fan, it will look organic in a case with transparent fragments.
When the components are selected, it remains to purchase them, which for the first time can be quite difficult.
General buying advice
Acquiring anything in modern conditions is just theoretical, in practice it turns into a fun quest. Some general advice can be given.
- Buy only new parts. No second-hand, also exclude redubrished (“restored”) – the savings will be cheap, and you don’t need problems with the entire system due to a “buggy” component.
- Choose components “in technical packaging”, refusing large and beautiful colored boxes. The point here is not environmental friendliness, although today this is also becoming important – the price of devices in retail packaging (the same large and bright one intended for retail sales) in most cases will be higher than the price of the same components in simple boxes. The only exception for the first time is the motherboard for kits No. 1 and No. 2, which is better to take in a complete set – there will be assembly instructions.
- Look carefully at the price offers – it is unlikely that you will be able to save radically, but there is absolutely no need to overpay. We hope everyone knows how to use Google, Price.ru and Yandex.Market, but remember – these resources do not cover all offers! Go to the radio market, look at the sites of large sellers. The options may be different: sometimes in large federal retail chains what you need costs less than in a “basement store” or on the radio market, and sometimes it’s the other way around.
- When searching, a suspiciously low price offer will usually turn out to be “left” – perhaps the product is out of stock, the equipment is different from the standard one, or the price “accidentally” turns out to be indicated for bulk purchase.
- Choose sellers that inspire confidence, otherwise you can “accidentally” buy an old one for the price of a new one. The sellers mentioned above who offer suspiciously low prices are, by definition, untrustworthy.
We assemble a computer
We connect the cables from the die to the connectors on the motherboard, there should not be any problems here – the connectors are clearly marked and their sequence is predictable. Now we connect the controls and connectors of the front panel of the case to the “motherboard”, here options are possible and you will need to be careful. USB ports, mini-jacks for headphones and a microphone, as well as buttons for on / off the system and a forced reboot are usually available on the front camera.
Connecting the ports is usually simple, but to connect the controls you need a whole bunch of wires, which looks intimidating, but everything is simple with it – its connectors are marked. Power LED- and Power LED + transmit information to the computer status indicator, Power SW is responsible for the operation of the power button, HDD LED- and HDD LED + must be connected to the drive activity indicator and, finally, Reset SW is responsible for the operation of the forced reboot button.
Some elements may not be in your case – not all are equipped, for example, with a Reset key or LED indicators – in this case, simply do not connect the corresponding wire.
Processor
Installing it is simple, but this action requires accuracy. Raise the clamping frame, install the processor, lower the clamping frame. Only the processor must be installed strictly according to the recommendations from the manual for the motherboard, avoiding distortions so that the legs fit exactly into the grooves.
It is better to install the cooler on the processor immediately. Some coolers already have thermal paste on the “sole” (its use significantly increases the efficiency of heat removal from the CPU), but in some cases a tube with it comes separately and it must be applied before installation in an even layer up to a millimeter thick. Installing a standard fan for Intel processors is very simple: install the heatsink on the CPU and gently press the plastic latch-clip until you hear a characteristic click. We connect the fan wires to the nearest four-pin connector for coolers – there are several such connectors on motherboards, the processor one is usually marked as “CPU_FAN” or “SYS_FAN”, and sometimes it is accented with color (most often white, but options are possible).
RAM
We place it in the appropriate connectors, which are recognizable and have “protection” – it will not work to insert the dies into them incorrectly, since a jumper was prudently made in the connectors, which excludes the installation “vice versa”. The dies must be fixed with latches located along the edges of the DIMM slots.
Video card
Place it in a PCI Express x16 slot (also known as a PEG port), this is the longest slot on the motherboard. There shouldn’t be any problems with the installation – we prudently chose an ATX board and a mini-tower case!
Try to install the card so that there is maximum space in front of the cooling fans. It is difficult to make a mistake with the “polarity” of installing the card – after all, its side with the connector should go to the back of the case, where you first need to remove two technical “plugs”. The final stage is connecting the cables to the card from the power supply.
System cooling determines not only the right number and correct location of fans, but also the relative position of the components inside the case. Arrange them as spaciously as possible, and also in such a way that they do not create a “shadow” for each other from the cooling air flows.
Hard Drives and SSDs
It is easiest to connect them, you should not have any problems with this – the cables are regular, the “docking” options are unambiguous, it is impossible to confuse anything.
What’s next?
Then it remains to connect the power cable, monitor, keyboard and mouse to the computer. We press the power button and everything should work. Now you need to install the operating system – Windows 10 or a Linux variant of your choice – install the necessary programs and use your own created computer to solve your tasks for work, study, entertainment, etc.