How to Build a Cheap Computer

How to Build a Cheap Computer

Choose the components you would like to build the computer with. Try searching for the items on sites like Amazon, as it is sometimes cheaper than buying them from specialist stores such as Maplin.







When you recieve the parts, assemble them together, as detailed below:







Unscrew one side panel of the PC case








Install the CPU into the motherboard CPU Socket (Be careful to align the CPU properly into the socket. Try to align the two corners with no pins)








Install the CPU heatsink and fan on top of the CPU








Install the RAM into the RAM slots on the motherboard and apply firm pressure until the RAM clicks into place








Screw the motherboard into the computer case








Connect the wires from the front panel of the computer case to the motherboard front panel pins. This is different for each motherboard, and detailed instructions should be included in your motherboard documentation.








Screw the hard drive into the disk rack at the front of the PC case








Screw the CD/DVD drive into the rack, and push out one of the pieces of plastic so the drive is visible on the front panel








Connect one end of a SATA cable to the motherboard, and the other to the hard disk, taking care to plug the motherboard end into the slot marked 'Hard Disk' or 'HDD'. Repeat with another cable for the CD/DVD drive, plugging one end to the motherboard, and the other to the CD/DVD drive








Screw in the power supply into the PC case, and connect the appropriate cables to the motherboard, hard disk, and CD/DVD drive








Replace the side panel of the computer case









3Install the operating system, by starting the computer, inserting the setup disk, then selecting 'Select boot device', followed by the CD/DVD drive, for example "IDE CD/DVD Device", then follow the instructions on screen

Tips

• You can also buy a computer kit with all the parts you need.
• Don't expect the latest and greatest on a budget, you won't get it

Warnings

• Take your time, using too much haste can cause silly mistakes
• Do NOT force any components, they are very delicate, and could cause them to break
• Take care when installing RAM, pushing too hard can damage it

Things You'll Need

• PC Case (Around £30 - Amazon)
• Motherboard (Around £35 - Amazon)
• Random Access Memory (RAM) (Around £20 - Amazon)
• CPU (with Heatsink and Fan) (CPU around £40; Heatsink & Fan around £10 - Amazon)
• Hard drive (HDD) (Around £30 - Amazon)
• SATA Data Cables (x2) (Around £2 - Amazon)
• Power Supply (PSU) (Around £25 - Amazon)
• Video card (if the motherboard doesn't have a inbuilt one, or you would like higher graphics capability for games etc.) (Motherboard Integrated)
• CD/DVD ROM (to install the operating system, and/or to play most types of video games) (Around £10 - Amazon)
• Operating System (Windows XP/Vista/7; Ubuntu; Linux etc.) (Ubuntu and some other Linux distributions are free for personal use)
• Screws
• Screwdriver
• Total: Around £202

official source