Writing Assignment 1
How to Build Your Own Personal Computer By Jarvis Simms
If you are considering building your own personal computer, this guide will provide comprehensive, easy to follow, step by step instructions to help you achieve your goals. Building a custom computer from scratch often have less to do with saving money and more to do with the experience you gain and the satisfaction from the end results. Another benefit of building your own system is that you will have a custom system that contains the exact components and features that meet your specific needs. You will also have a guaranteed industry-standard system that will be easily upgradable in the future. You might be able to save money by reusing some components from your current computer when building your new system. Your monitor, keyboard, mouse, storage devices, adapter cards and some video cards from your old computer will likely work in your new system. However, most newer computers require different memory from an older system and some video cards might not function in newer motherboards. So, if you’re interested in a gratifying experience and want a customized and fully upgradable system, building your own computer is the way to go. The first step in building your own computer is determining the components necessary to assemble your custom system. The components used in building a basic PC are as follows: case and power supply, motherboard, processor with heatsink and fan, memory, hard disk drive, optical drive(s) (CD and/or DVD, keyboard and mouse, video card and monitor, sound card, cables, nuts, bolts, screws and brackets and lastly, the operating system software. If you have already purchased the necessary hardware, you are ready to assemble your PC. Before unpacking the components from the original anti-static bags, it is advisable to wear an anti-static wrist strap. This will prevent any Electrostatic Discharge (ESD) that could potentially cause damage to the computer components and yourself. If you do not have an anti-static wrist strap, you can discharge yourself by touching the metal edges of your computer ATX case. Wearing rubber sole shoes is also recommended and will help to prevent the danger of static discharge. The next step is to unpack your ATX case and motherboard. Place the case on a desk or table and position it so that you are looking down towards the opening of the case. Place your motherboard inside the case and align the screw holes on your motherboard with the screw holds on your ATX case. Place the screws into the appropriate holes and gently screw it on using a screw driver. After mounting the motherboard to the ATX case, you can now plug in the ATX power connector to the motherboard. Push down the power connector and it should clip onto the socket. The power connector will only fit one way. Now it is time to install the processor (CPU) on your motherboard. Raise the lever on the socket and carefully put the processor in place. Close the lever which will securely keep the CPU in place. Most processors will include a heatsink and fan. Remove the plastic cover from the bottom of the CPU and push down the metal clips on the fan so that it will clip onto the CPU socket. Connect the CPU fan power