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Now, building your own PC seems to be a daunting task, especially considering how difficult it is to purchase individual components in 2021 due to the shortage of semiconductors and manufacturing obstacles caused by the Covid-19 pandemic. However, regardless of the situation at the time, learning how to assemble a computer is still a satisfying experience. Doing this for the first time may be overwhelming, but you will love the process. If you are building for the first time, we have compiled a step-by-step guide on how to build a computer.

In addition to providing some tips for beginners, we also recommend some parts in each section. Remember, no two builds are the same, which means you may have a completely different set of parts on hand or in your mind to build. This is no problem at all, because it all depends on personal preference. Now let us prepare for your first PC build:

It is best to prepare yourself and prepare all the necessary tools so as not to be distracted when assembling the computer. Before putting everything together, you may need to master the following:

With these prerequisites, it's time to start doing business.

It is recommended that you connect some core components, such as CPU, RAM, SSD, etc., before installing the motherboard into the chassis. PC case space is often limited, so it is easier to do this before installing the motherboard.

As for motherboard options, we recommend that you buy products that provide potential space for future upgrades. Remember, the motherboard is the backbone of the PC because it holds all the components together. It is best not to skimp on this component, because the choice of motherboard will also affect other aspects of the PC, including the size of the PC case, storage options, number of ports, etc.

We believe that ASUS ROG Strix X570-E Gaming is a reliable choice built on AMD, and ASUS ROG Strix Z590-E Gaming is our choice built on Intel. Yes, you need to use different motherboards for Intel and AMD CPUs, so please choose your poison. Both motherboards are ATX units with a large number of expansion slots and ports for you to build. Not to mention, they also leave room for future upgrades. You can purchase these motherboards from the link below.

We recommend that you check out our best motherboard series to find all available options, including budget and compact motherboards that fit your SFF version.

The CPU is the first thing you connect to the motherboard. The first step is to loosen the tension bar on the CPU socket so that the processor can be placed in it. You need to align the arrow/triangle on the top of the CPU with the arrow/triangle on the socket or its lid. This is a crucial step. If you don't pay attention, you may end up damaging the chip, circuit board, or both. Due to its own weight, the CPU will ideally fit in the socket. If not, please retrieve it and reinstall it. Do not force the processor into the socket. When it is in place, press the tension rod down.

The above instructions are the same for mainstream Intel and AMD CPUs on the market. The biggest difference is the location of the connection pins-in Intel builds, the pins are on the socket, while in AMD's case, the pins are on the CPU. In addition, the steps for enthusiast platforms like AMD's Threadripper and Intel Core X are slightly different, involving multiple levers and even Torx screws. That particular process is tricky, so we won't cover it for the time being. Also, if you are dealing with these components, you probably already know what you are doing as a hobbyist.

We recommend Ryzen 5 5600X for AMD-based builds, and Intel Core i5-11600K for those who are now inclined to the blue team. You can also check out Intel’s new Alder Lake CPUs, but these new CPUs require a Z690-based platform and DDR5 memory modules to get the best results, increasing the overall cost of your first PC. Our best collection of CPUs will provide you with all the options available on the market.

You must also install a CPU cooler to control the heat output of the CPU. Many CPUs come with coolers, if you don't do any heavy overclocking, they should be enough. However, you can also purchase an after-sales CPU cooler to maximize the performance of the CPU. Most stock coolers, whether AMD or Intel CPUs, use push pins that pass through holes in the motherboard. We recommend pushing in diagonally to spread the thermal grease evenly.

Oh yes, thermal paste. You also need a thermal paste solution to fill the gap between the CPU IHS and the CPU cooler base plate. Many CPU coolers are pre-installed with thermal paste, so you should be fine. If not, then you can check our article on how to apply thermal paste to CPU for more information.

Unlike stock coolers, after-sale coolers can be installed in multiple ways. It also depends on whether you want to use an air cooler or a liquid cooling solution. We recommend that you review our recommendations for the best CPU coolers below and consult the instruction manual to learn how to install the CPU cooler of your choice on the motherboard.

Installing the memory module may be the easiest of them. All you need to do is to make sure that the latch of each memory slot is open before inserting the module. Some boards have these latches on both sides of the RAM slot, while others have these latches on one side. Pressing down on the DIMM on each socket will cause the latch to close by itself. It requires a bit of force, but make sure you don’t install RAM backwards.

If you want to install two RAM sticks on a board with four slots, install the first module at the far end of the CPU slot (not the one close to the slot). The second module goes into the third slot, which means you will have an empty slot next to the first module. If you put them in the wrong slot, they will still work, but you may not get the best performance.

We recommend using DDR4 modules now because DDR5 is still in its infancy. That being said, we have a separate collection of the best DDR4 memory and the best DDR5 memory, so be sure to check them to see which one is best for you.

We also recommend installing the M.2 SSD first, and then installing the motherboard into the case. You can do it later, but other parts may get in the way. Unlike the RAM module, installing an M.2 SSD requires some effort. You must remove the screw located on the opposite side of the M.2 slot, and then slide the SSD in at an angle. Now, slowly lay the SSD flat and fix the mounting screws. That's it!

We think WD SN850 Black is the best M.2 SSD on the market, but there are many other options. You can check our selection of the best M.2 SSDs to see which ones are best for you. Some motherboards have a heat sink/shield in these M.2 slots, so you must open the heat sink to expose the M.2 slots.

Now that you have installed some core components on the motherboard, it is time to start putting everything in the PC case. There are a large number of cabinets on the market, and the choice of PC case boils down to personal preference. From a full-tower PC case to a compact mini-ITX case, we provide a variety of choices in the best PC case series. Be sure to check it out to see which suits your needs best. We believe that Lianli PC-O11 Dynamic is the best overall PC case for most users, but you can also match it with a mid-tower case such as Corsair Airflow 4000D.

Installing the motherboard in the PC case requires careful operation. You must collect all the brackets that come with the chassis, and then find a suitable installation location. Almost all PC cases on the market now have markings based on the motherboard size you choose. In fact, many cases even have brackets pre-installed, so you can skip this step altogether.

Before securing the motherboard in place, you must install the I/O shield covering the area around the rear port. The I/O shielding board is provided with your motherboard. You must install the shielding board in the case before setting up the motherboard. After installation, the ports on the board will pass through the holes. You must force all four corners of the shield into the chassis, just as you did when installing the RAM module. Many advanced motherboards are pre-installed with I/O shielding, in this case, you can skip this step.

The power supply unit is usually installed on the back of the PC case facing down. For a long time, this has been the designated location of the PSU. By sucking in cold air from under the chassis, it is a safe space for the equipment to work normally. Installing the power supply unit is as simple as screwing it into place with the four screws on the back of the PC case. We recommend that you purchase a modular PSU so that you can avoid cable confusion in the chassis. Once the PSU is in place, you can connect the 24-pin power connector and auxiliary/CPU power connector to the motherboard. As the name suggests, the power supply unit powers the entire PC, so you actually need to connect many components to the PSU via cables.

We think that 750W or 800W power supply is sufficient for most users, and we recommend a product below. You can also check our line of best power supply units to learn about all the options available for different power output ranges on the market.

We also installed an M.2 SSD on the motherboard before, so your PC has some storage space available, depending on the capacity of the M.2 stick. However, M.2 SSDs can be expensive, which is why you may want to add SATA storage to your PC in the form of a 2.5-inch SSD or hard drive or a traditional 3.5-inch hard drive. In each case, you need to connect the SATA data cable from the drive to the motherboard, and then connect the SATA power connector from the PSU to the drive. Then, you must find a place to install the SSD or HDD, because you cannot leave them in the case. All PC cases have special mounting brackets for drives, so they should be easy to find.

If you are using an Intel or AMD CPU with integrated graphics, installing the graphics card is an optional step. However, if your CPU does not have an onboard graphics card to connect to the monitor, you will need a separate GPU. The first thing to do is to remove some of the slot covers on the back of the case. This is to display HDMI, DVI and DisplayPort, allowing you to connect to the best monitor of your choice.

After completion, you must connect the GPU to the PCIe X16 slot on the motherboard. It is long and is usually located under the CPU socket. If there are multiple slots on the motherboard, it is recommended that you use the top slot. High-end GPUs require more power, so you must plug the PCIe power connector from the power source into the graphics card and GPU. Buying a graphics card in 2021 is not necessarily easy, but we recommend that you check our collection of the best graphics cards on the market to see your available options. We think the RTX 3080 GPU is one of the best GPUs you can use right now, but there are some other options.

Now that you have installed most of the main components, your PC is ready. But before we try to turn on the PC, there are some things to do. You need to make sure that all fan/AIO pump connectors are plugged into the motherboard fan headers. You also need to connect the front panel audio cable and USB shell connector to the motherboard header. The location of these connectors varies by motherboard model, so we recommend that you consult the manual to find them. Don't forget to connect the front panel connectors, including power, reset, LED indicators, etc., because they are also important to the build. Installing these tiny connectors can be very annoying, and you will often find yourself reaching for the darkest corners of the case to find them. You may wish to use a flashlight for this step now.

If you have done this in this guide, then you have completed the construction of the PC. All that remains now is to make sure that there are no additional fan headers or power cords waiting to be connected. If not, plug in the PC, connect the monitor and other peripherals such as keyboard and mouse. Now, turn on the power switch, press the power button on the monitor, and finally press the power button of the PC. If everything is normal, the PC should be turned on and run the power-on self-test, or POST. If you are using a new storage drive and have not yet installed the operating system, you will be sent directly to the BIOS. But this is good, because we will do it at the end.

We now recommend that you turn off all features and start using cable management. We do this after POST because you now know that everything is ok and you no longer need to reinstall or reconnect any components. If your case does not have windows, you can choose to avoid cable management, but it is still a good habit to organize everything in the case. Imagine if you need to change something in the future, you have to go through piles of messy cables.

This is the part where you must install the selected operating system. You can check out our how to install Windows 10 on the new PC guide, which covers everything from creating a bootable Windows 10 USB to successfully activating the operating system. If you want to check out Microsoft's new operating system, you can also download and install Windows 11.

However, you may also need to update the driver before upgrading to Windows 11. Now, Windows will get most of the drivers for you, but we still recommend that you visit the manufacturer's product page to get your parts to make sure you have or get the latest updates.

Well, congratulations, because you just assembled a new computer for yourself! Start using your new PC now. We recommend that you install some benchmark tests and hardware monitoring software to see if everything is normal. Benchmarking will enable you to push the PC to the limit to see if it is overheating, throttling, etc. This will help you understand your PC better and know that it is ready for whatever you try to do during the day-on a daily basis. Good luck with your build and don't forget to enjoy the process. You can also join our XDA Computing forum to discuss your new version and other users’ suggestions/recommendations.

XDA »Tutorial» How to build a computer: a beginner's guide to a new PC

Karthik introduced the PC hardware used for XDA calculations. When not working, you will find him yelling at the monitor while playing video games.

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