Having a custom-built desktop computer is one of the most exciting ways to improve your overall experience in gaming, editing, programming, or any other computer activity. With a custom PC, you are able to tailor the parts you installed to your specific needs, thus maximizing the utility of your setup. If it’s your first time attempting to build a fully custom PC, do understand that it’s going to be tedious and somewhat stressful.
However, also know that the end result will be very rewarding, thus making the entire process worthwhile. This guide will show you the steps to building your own custom PC. Here, we will cover the topics of buying parts, including those from Newegg Black Friday deals, testing, building and installation, and diagnosis or setup.
Sourcing Computer Parts
Perhaps the most difficult part of this entire process is to plan out the parts that you want to install in your system. Generally speaking, you should choose the ones that will be most relevant to your intended use. In terms of actually buying the parts, you do have plenty of choices. You could buy it at retail price, you could wait for deals, such as Black Fridays, you could wait for clearance sales, you could buy second-hand items, and you could even reuse old parts lying around.
Depending on how picky or how particular you are when it comes to the parts that you want to have, the cost of your entire setup could also change. If you want to be very cost-effective, be patient and be on the lookout for deals and promotions.
Testing
A key component in PC building that most people fail to do is the proper testing. This process is really important not only for used items but even for brand new ones. Testing ensures you that the items you have bought are functioning as intended. Understand that this process will, of course, be quite a hassle on your part. But also note that it could save you a lot of time and stress down the line. During testing, it’s critical that you do a “stress test.” Here, you will run some programs and applications that put the device to its maximum performance. Here, you will have a better idea of how the part will respond to higher and heavier workloads.
Building
The actual building procedure is typically the most exciting part of this whole process. For the first time, you can lay out all the parts and components, and you can start to see how the entire build will go. To start the build, lay out all the parts on a flat surface. Have a checklist of all the components that you need for the build, and make sure that you have everything prepared. As regards the actual building process, be sure to refer to guides or tutorials for the proper procedure. There are a lot of resources available online that will show you the exact step-by-step process of how the build should go. During the build, be patient and do not attempt to rush things. Especially if you are a beginner, expect that the build will consume half of your day, depending if there are no issues during the process.
Diagnosis and Setup
The final stage of this entire process is to conduct a diagnosis and finish the setup. This step typically includes having to install a bunch of essential software, running various tests, and configuring or tweaking some settings. It might be very tempting to skip this step and go straight into downloading your favorite games. However, if you do that, you run the risk of bugs and errors. The proper diagnosis and setup ensure that you have the correct drivers, software, and applications that allow your computer to run as smoothly and as fast as possible.