Ready to level up your computing knowledge? Building your own PC will help you understand how every component works and gives you the ability to customize your system for a perfect fit.
While it’s certainly more complicated than experienced builders might tell you, if you plan carefully, read the manuals, and take your time, the reward isn’t just a new computer, it’s a new set of useful skills.
Without knowing the specifics of your build, we can’t tell you exactly how to build your new machine. What we can do is help set you up for success with planning resources, component buying tips, and valuable info about each step of the process.
Once you’ve built your shiny, new PC, it might be time to check out some other stuff to further accessorize your new partner in crime. Be sure to have a look at our guides for the Best Gaming Keyboards, Best Gaming Mice, Best Gaming Headsets, and Best Gaming Controllers.
Updated August 2024: We’ve expanded the details of some steps, added information on new advancements, and updated some of our recommendations.
Start With a Plan
The worldwide chip shortage hit PC builders hard over the past few years, but component prices have begun to fall back to normal thanks to a variety of economic and technological factors. Still, we recommend shopping around a bit before buying anything, as prices fluctuate regularly.
When you’re shopping for components, make sure you’re buying from a reputable vendor, like Amazon, Best Buy, or NewEgg, and make sure to check their return policies before you do. When parts arrive, make sure to physically inspect them for any damage or missing pieces, and check the labels on the parts themselves to make sure they match up with the packaging, as well as what you ordered.
Before you start, make sure you have a clear idea of your budget in mind. Building a PC can be expensive, and it’s easy to miss some costs if you don’t track everything carefully. No matter what your experience level is, you should start with PCPartPicker. Using this unique tool, you can easily plan out your build, select compatible parts, and check pricing and availability across retailers.
Also consider the goals for your new computer. Is it just for checking email and printing out occasional documents? Do you plan on playing any video games? Will the computer sit on or under a desk? Asking these questions early can help guide your planning and keep your budget on track.
If you’re feeling confident, the website Logical Increments lists example builds at different price and performance points. These common parts can act as a starting point for your build or help offer options to upgrade or downgrade to meet your budget and needs.
What Do You Need?
Whether you’re building for home office or gaming, the components you need are going to be generally the same. For the purposes of this guide you’re going to see a lot of abbreviations, so let this section act as your glossary.
Almost every computer needs, at the very least, the following components:
- Case
- Motherboard
- Central Processing Unit (CPU)
- Memory (RAM)
- Storage (Typically a Solid State Drive or SSD)
- Power Supply (PSU)
If you plan on gaming, you’ll also want to invest in a dedicated graphics card, or GPU. This extra component adds a substantial cost to your build but allows you to play video games, as well as supporting video editing, photo editing, and machine learning workloads.
You should consider a monitor in your budget, if you don’t have one already. These can range from basic options for everyday productivity to massive, ultrawide monitors with gaming-focused features and prices to match. Our monitor buying guide should give you a better idea of the best options for you.
You’ll also want a keyboard and mouse to control the system, which, like monitors, have a surprising range of functionality and aesthetics. Leave room in your budget for these, anywhere from $50 for a basic set to $200 or more at the high end.
