Building my first pc?

Question

I want to try my hand at building a computer.

The only problem is i don't know what components to get or where from and which ones are compatible.

Could anyone give me a list of components that are just the cheapest you can get anywhere. Don't matter if its the slowest pc in the world, just want to practice building one. Under £100 would be amazing.

Answer 1

- processor : E2140 or E2160

- Case+PSU : search for something u like/cheapest (ATX)

- ram : 1GB-ddr2 , or better get a pair of 1GBs

- Motherboard : something with built in graphics, something like gigabyte 945G

- harddisk : some sata2 160gb harddisk

the case always come with whatever screws u may need, the motherboard maunal will have instruction to coonect the cables of the case and PSU properly, and almost every other stuff.

the CPU comes with its fan and how to connect it and install it

read the manual, follow the instructions, and u should be fine

and u got urself a nice pc capable of running vista and all basic stuff efficiently

u may need DVD-RW , keyboard , mouse , screen , speakers

Answer 2

Sounds like you're interested in electronics, if not programming as well. But I think you're off on the wrong foot here. If your goal is just knowledge, then taking things apart is better than trying to put them together. Buy an old computer on Craigslist or ebay, pull it apart piece by piece, using the internet to look up what exactly each piece is for, and then put it back together and get it working again. If something doesn't work, you can figure out what that it and fix it. After you gain that working knowledge of the hardware and software, you'll be ready to pick a new goal to work towards.

Answer 3

May I suggest you walk around your neighborhood or make a few calls.  People are constantly tossing out perfectly good computers.  I have never had to buy a computer.  I just take in used ones and replace defective or slow parts.

You need a case.

You need a power source. (it's like the old model train transformer that plugs into the wall outlet to give you power).

You need a mother board (this is the most expensive part that contains the processor.

You need a sound card and a video card and a modem card to plug into the mother board.  These are items you often have to purchase to make a used computer work better.

You need memory chips.  This is the part you most often install for cheap to bring an old computer up to newer speeds.  

Now, that's just for the computer.  You also need a monitor, and a mouse and keyboard.  All items that people are constantly replacing just because they want new stuff.

You should be able to do this for free bucks if you're not afraid to make some contacts.  Just pick an industrial park or office building and walk around with a friendly smile.  Schools are another place where computers get thrown out, but around here they are the cheapest people who never give anything away.

Answer 4

Check these guys out. It's what the guys who built my computer used as a reference.

http://www.tomshardware.com/us/

Answer 5

www.newegg.com has lots of parts at various prices to start building your first PC.

You might want to check out their 'barebones kits" that give you a case, motherboard, and processor for a good price.

Good luck!