How to Build Your Own Computer
This site is dedicated to the thousands of ordinary people every year who decide to build their own PC's -- very often, on their kitchen tables. Our goals are to present an illustrated, step-by-step guide that presents basic information in simple language to help make your do-it-yourself computer-building project as enjoyable, educational, and rewarding as it can be.
Why should I build my own computer?
I guess for most of us computer geeks and geeklings, the truthful answer to that question is "because we like to," or "because it's fun." But there are actually quite a few other advantages to building your own computer. For example:
- You can build your computer exactly how you want it, as best fits your computing needs. When you build your own computer, it truly is a "personal" computer.
- Building a PC is an educationally rewarding experience that can enrich a person's knowledge of and appreciation for applied math, electronics, and physics.
- Sometimes a homebuilt computer can be less expensive than a comparably equipped store-bought computer. Sometimes.
- Building computers is an enjoyable hobby with the potential to lead to a career. In fact, many IT professionals got their start that way.
What do I need?
Like any other do-it-yourself project, computer building requires certain skills, tools, and resources. For example:
- You must be able to read and write.
- You have to know how to do some basic math.
- You need some basic hand tools.
- You have to have a clean place to work with a suitable table or workbench.
- You need to be able to follow instructions and observe basic safety and anti-static precautions.
- If you're a child or a teen, you will need a parent, teacher, or other adult to help you and to supervise your project.
- You need someplace to obtain computer parts, like the companies who advertise on this site or your local computer shop.
Navigating this Site
This site uses an unusual navigation system. The "Getting Started" link on the top of each page will take you to a map of the site. So if you get lost, click on "Getting Started." You can find your way from there.
The links for "Components" and "Software" will take you to mini-maps of the pages dealing with those topics.
In addition, some subjects are divided into multiple pages, with mini-maps on the bottom to navigate between those pages.
The reason we chose this odd layout is because we know from experience that designing and building a computer is not quite as much of a step-by-step process as one might hope. It involves a lot of back-and-forth, as well. After experimenting with different navigation styles, this one seemed most like the actual process.
Javascript Required
Please note that this site uses JavaScript (Active Scripting) for many layout and navigation functions and to open thumbnail images in new, movable, automatically resized windows, which allows visitors to look at the images while continuing to consult the text.
If you do not have JavaScript enabled, if your browser doesn't support it, or if it is being interefered with by another application (for example, by a poorly written ad blocker that's too stupid to tell content from advertising), then almost nothing on this site will work properly. In addition, the ability to click on and enlarge pictures (as well as a few other features) will not be available. The same applies to the email links, which are written in JavaScript to help foil the spambots.
You can click here to learn how to re-enable JavaScript on most current Web browsers.
Special Note!
We would like to start a gallery section for people who would like a picture of themselves with their homebuilt computers posted on this site, along with a few paragraphs about their projects. If you are interested, please email .
Ready to begin?
Good! Then let's get started!
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