If you are new to building computers or have had problems assembling them in the past, then it may seem like a daunting task if you do not know where to start.

Whilst you could certainly dismantle your current computer to find out how it works, it can actually be easier to learn when someone simply shows you how to build one in the first place.

Having built computers myself for over two decades, I’ve picked up lots of tricks and techniques along the way.

I now use this same process over and over again because I know it will work each and every time.

Now when building a computer it pays to have a procedure to follow, for example:

1. Planning your PC build
2. Choosing which parts to use
3. Readying the case
4. Fitting the CPU and cooler
5. Installing the motherboard
6. Adding the power supply
7. Installing the drives
8. Adding the memory
9. Fitting the peripheral cards
10. Fitting external interfaces
11. Installing fans
12. Powering on your PC
13. Configuring the BIOS
14. Installing the Operating System
15. Updating your PC software

1. Before you can even build your own computer you need to put together a list of parts first. You will also need an operating system to install, some tools to put your computer together with and a safe environment to work in.

2. Knowing what type of parts to build a computer with is one thing, but actually choosing these parts is much more difficult. You have to make sure all these parts will be compatible with each other and you’ll be kicking yourself if you buy a CPU that’s high in price but poor in performance. You have to put a lot of research and effort into this and so make sure you check out customer reviews before you buy anything.

3. Now you are ready to begin you should prepare the case by fitting the standoffs to the motherboard tray and replace the I/O shield in the case with the one that came with your motherboard.

4. Before you install the motherboard in the case, you should attach the CPU and cooler to it first, as you can lay the motherboard on a flat surface where there is less risk of damaging it. Also some heatsinks can only be fitted this way as you have to fit a part underneath the motherboard in order to attach it. Just remember to attach the power cable for the fan to the CPU connector on the motherboard.

5. Installing the motherboard itself is relatively straight forward. Just lower it into the case and then screw it in place. After that you should attach the system cables from the case to it.

6. If the case doesn’t already have a power supply then now is the time to install it. You should then attach the relevant power cables to the motherboard.

7. Hard drives, optical drives, and floppy drives should then be installed in the case. Each of these will require a power cable attaching and a data cable connected to the motherboard.

8. The memory for you computer can now be installed in the relevant slots. Just make sure you fit them in the proper order by checking your motherboard manual. It would be a waste to buy Dual Data Rate memory and then fit it as if it was Single Rate, as you won’t get the performance gains.

9. Any peripheral cards e.g. graphics card, sound card should now be installed in the relevant slots in the motherboard. Just remember to supply any power to a card if it needs it.

10. Some cases offer external interfaces e.g. USB ports and some motherboards require you to fit an external interface in the case to provide extra ports. So you need to install these and attach the necessary cables to the motherboard.

11. To improve the airflow in the case and keep the temperature down it pays to have an inlet fan at the front and an exhaust fan at the rear. If the case didn’t already come with these installed then now is the time to fit them and attach them to the relevant motherboard fan connectors.

12. Now is the time to power on your PC and check everything is working so plug in the monitor, keyboard and mouse. Attach the relevant power cables to the monitor and PC and turn on your monitor and then your computer.

13. Assuming everything went well you need to configure the BIOS. At the very least make sure to set the boot order correctly in order that the computer boots off the CD drive before the hard drive.

14. It is then a matter of installing the operating system so that you have a basic working computer to use. Once that is done you should install the relevant drivers for your motherboard, sound card and graphics card.

15. Before you finish make sure you install the latest security patches for your operating system. You should also install a decent anti-virus program and anti-spyware software on your computer and keep these up to date.

After that feel free to update your drivers by downloading these from the website of the manufacturer.

David McKone has been involved in the computer industry for over 10 years and started off as a professional computer builder; assembling computers for both small and large companies.

If you want to learn the easiest way to build your own computer then check out “The Easy Guide To Building Computers” at http://The-Computer-Builder.com