Introduction

Back in December I figured out what my new year’s resolution was going to be… I’m giving up pre-built computer systems! Oh those packaged Dells, Gateways and HPs certainly have their place. They’re great if you’re a complete novice, or if your computing needs are quite modest. But they can be very limiting in terms of expansion and customization. A much better choice is to build your own custom computer, which despite what one might at first think, is not rocket science. Anyone with the inclination and the desire can do it. That’s precisely what I’ve set out in this article to prove. I’ll be starting with a variety of components pulled from various sources (friends, coworkers, the deep dark recesses of my closet) as well as a few new components. My intension is to gradually add to this system over time, so don’t expect the ultimate system to materialize before you in one fell swoop. What you can expect, is an informative narrative describing the process by which anyone could assemble and configure a custom PC.

To start things off lets list the items that you will need when buildiing your new pc:

• Case
• Power Supply
• Motherboard
• RAM 
• CPU
• Video Card
• Optical Drive
• Hard Drive
• Mouse
• Keyboard
• Monitor

You'll want to research all your components so that you know their limitations, features, and that they are compatible with each other. Also, make sure that the computer you are building suits your needs and wants. A good thing to keep in mind is the expandibility of your case and motherboard. For example, you'll want to make sure that you have enough PCIe slots and that there is room to add more optical or hard drives.

Installation (The Case)

The most fundamental element of any custom PC is its chassis or case. I decided to use the Khaos Classic Series Case by NZXT for my system. It is a full tower case with lots of room for growth and expansion (up to eleven 5.25” drive bays, mounting space for up to eight hard drives, dual power supply support). I also like the fact that it has a lot of fans (four by default, 3 additional optional) to keep my system cool and running well, and a flip-out motherboard tray to make it easier to setup the system. First thing to do is to familiarize myself with the layout and components of this particular case.