We assemble a computer with our own hands- each of us at least once faced with a situation when, having trusted a sales assistant, he chose a ready-made Personal Computer. But after a few months I realized that for the same money I could buy a much more productive version. In order to prevent such a story from happening to any of our readers in the future, we have prepared instructions on how to assemble a computer yourself.

This process actually turns out to be much simpler than many users who are far from technology suggest, but still has a number of nuances, which we want to dwell on in our material. And we will start with a brief reminder of what a computer consists of and how not to make a mistake in choosing components.

System unit - how to choose components?

When a customer walks into a computer hardware store and sees the wide range of motherboards, processors, video cards and other components, it seems to him that in order to connect all these devices together, you need to have at least a doctorate in technical sciences. But not everything is so bad, computer hardware manufacturers took care of us and many years ago adopted a single standard - Advanced Technology Extended, which unifies the entire hardware of a computer. So we are now free.

The choice of components is the most difficult task when assembling a PC, much more laborious than connecting them together, but this material is devoted to the last task, and you can find a comparison of the characteristics of video cards and processors in our other publications.

The basis of our entire future system is the motherboard, as follows from its name. It practically does not affect performance, but is responsible for the proper operation of all components of our computer.

The whole process of assembling a PC essentially consists in connecting components using connectors and wires to the board, and therefore you should first evaluate what kind of computer you would like to have as an output and, based on this, choose a motherboard with one or another number of cells for random access memory, the appropriate socket for the desired processor, and so on.

Same way important characteristic motherboard is a form factor - it depends on what dimensions you need a case, so be careful right away and when purchasing a large E-ATX format motherboard, do not expect to fit it into a compact case. The main thing is not to worry we assemble a computer with our own hands- everything should work out.

Installation of the processor, RAM and cooling system.

To assemble a computer at home, we suggest starting with an “open bench” rather than immediately installing your components in a case without knowing whether the system works or not. The process is as follows: we connect to motherboard all our parts, update the firmware of the board, install operating system and test the resulting assembly for errors and conflicts. If they are not identified, then we are happy to install all this in the case.

Let's start the process by installing the heart of our future PC - the processor. It must be remembered that the two market leaders in the production of processors - AMD and Intel, fundamentally use different socket designs, the former have contact legs on the processor, while the latter prefer to place them in the socket.

To install the AMD processor, you need to lift the metal lever, insert the legs into the holes provided for them, and then return the lever to its original position. Thus, we will close the processor contacts with the socket contacts and securely fix this position.

When installing the Intel, lift the lever and hold down cover, and reverse these steps after installing the processor. Both types of processors should be installed in a strictly defined position, which is indicated by arrows on the processor itself and the motherboard socket.

As far as CPU cooling is concerned, you need to remember that they are all installed differently and the only reasonable thing to do is to strictly follow the instructions. For example, AMD has a passion for fasteners with plastic eyelets, while Intel basically does not use such a design solution. In general, most CPU coolers are quite universal, and therefore can work with chipsets from both companies, but be careful when choosing - there are models that are loyal to only one brand.

Do not forget that many coolers can be installed in two positions, which determines through which wall the heated air will exit - the back or the top. Therefore, before installing, weigh the potency of both options and your body and choose the most productive.

After we have fixed the radiator and installed a fan on it, all that remains is to connect the power connector to the corresponding connector on the board, called CPU_FAN. More expensive motherboards can provide two similar connectors designed for two coolers at once.

So, to complete the initial work, we just have to install the RAM modules in the DIMM slots. Each stick has a security key that makes it impossible for you to insert it the wrong way, and you will not be able to insert one type of memory, such as DDR3, into a motherboard slot that is not provided for it. Thus, installing RAM is the simplest process in the algorithm for assembling a personal computer.

Most processors have a dual-channel set of RAM, and therefore it is recommended to insert an even number of sticks. It must be remembered that a sufficiently large processor cooler can block the RAM slots on some motherboards, and therefore it is worthwhile to thoroughly study their compatibility before purchasing.
Applying thermal paste to the processor

Many beginners make a common mistake and think that the assembly consists solely in assembling parts a la the designer. No less important for the performance of the processor than itself and the cooling system is thermal paste, which helps their tandem to demonstrate maximum performance. As a rule, a small layer is already applied to the sole of the fan, so this does not have to be done during the first assembly.

However, if it is not available, just add a couple of drops of the composition and spread them evenly over the area of ​​​​the heat-distributing cover of the CPU. Excess, on the contrary, will reduce the thermal conductivity between the processor and the cooler, which will negatively affect the performance of the computer. If you have already decided to assemble a computer with your own hands, then at least do not harm it.

Installing the motherboard in the case

The main line when choosing a case for you should be the one that is responsible for the supported form factors of motherboards. The following are the maximum possible sizes of installed components - believe me, when the time comes for wiring, you will thank yourself for choosing the most comfortable case in which you can install all the desired hardware without unnecessary manipulation.

To install the motherboard, you first need to fasten the fixing nuts with external and internal threads. As a rule, all bolts and nuts come with the body, they are standardized, so it is unlikely that you will need to look for something unique to install your assembly. Having fixed the plugs and screwed the nuts, you can move on.

Connecting the Chassis Controls to the Motherboard

The panel of a standard case, as a rule, is equipped with on / off buttons, as well as USB ports and a headphone jack. As a rule, these interfaces are located at the bottom of the motherboard, and therefore we find them and connect them to the case.

The set of wires is very standard:

• PWR_SW is responsible for the on/off button;
• RESET_SW activates the reset key;
• HDD_LED ("plus" and "minus") activates the drive activity indicator;
• PWR_LED ("plus" and "minus") is responsible for the operation of the computer status indicator.

Installing the power supply

It's time to install the power supply and connect the cables to the motherboard. All connectors have keys that will prevent incorrect connection, so an inexperienced user can handle it. Each connector speaks for itself, and if SATA is written on it, then it is probably intended for a device with the same interface.

Recently, the power supply bay has been placed at the bottom of the case for better ventilation, so make sure that the wires are long enough for components located in the part of the video card that is remote from the block. After installing the unit, we stretch two main cables - 24-pin to the motherboard itself and 8-pin to the processor. We advise you to immediately purchase a bundle of nylon ties when purchasing a PSU so that your bundle does not get confused between the parts of the PC.

Installing Drives

There are several drive form factors: 2.5 inch, 3.5 inch and solid state drives with M2 connector. The latter are installed on the motherboard itself, but the first two must first be installed in the case.

Installing a drive in a slot with a sled is as simple as installing RAM, and therefore we will not dwell on this point in detail. It remains only to bring cables to them from the motherboard and PSU, which have a SATA connector.

If you want to install an optical drive, then the algorithm is the same - we fix it in a 5.25-inch bay, remove the front plug and supply power.

Installing a graphics card

Since we set out to properly assemble a PC, we cannot do without an item dedicated to the video card. It is installed last and the power cables are pre-wired for it. The graphics accelerator must be installed in the very first PCI Express x16 port, but modern video cards occupy two or even three slots, so access to the downstream port will be blocked.

After these procedures, it remains only to remove the two plugs on which the radiator will be brought out, and also tightly screw the video card to the motherboard and the back cover of the case. The number of power cables will depend on the power of the video card and in extreme cases you will have to get cables to the PSU or use adapters.
Cable laying and completion

The entire list of accessories is combined in single system so it's time to put the finishing touches on it. If the assembly is standard, then you just need to choose what to connect the coolers to: motherboard, reobas or PSU. After that, you just need to carefully lay the remaining cables and tighten them with nylon ties, and then close the case cover.

After that, we connect a monitor and other peripherals to the system unit, install the operating system and use a brand new assembled computer.

How to build a computer yourself. Instruction

We hope that our material on how to assemble a computer yourself will help you save money and choose the most successful combination of elements, regardless of the tricks of computer equipment sellers!

I talked about why I always prefer to order a new computer in the form of separate components. In the comments to this article, I was asked to show for those who have never encountered this before, exactly how the assembly process takes place: how difficult it all is, well, maybe whether not too advanced user to assemble a computer on their own. And then I thought that if I filmed and demonstrated this process, then this could become a useful article for the "Likbez" section. After all, in fact, there is nothing impossible in self-assembly of a computer. Mastering all this is no more difficult than assembling a wardrobe from IKEA, and even then - in my opinion, assembling a wardrobe from IKEA is noticeably more difficult. And if you more or less understand what components a computer consists of and how these components you need to select, then, of course, it’s better for you to assemble a new computer yourself - from those components that you yourself select for your tasks and your financial capabilities. Well, let's see how I assembled my computer: what goes for what, what they can be complexity and subtlety. Here is a prepared set of components (what are these components and why I chose them in the article). (All photos are clickable so you can see all the details.)

At home, it is better to assemble on a table if it is of sufficient size, but it is even better on a bed - this is the most convenient: you don’t have to bend over much, and there is plenty of space. I take the case out of the box. Handsome, right? Remove both side covers.

The case has wires with pads for connecting all sorts of ports, coolers and switches. Also there are mandatory bags with all kinds of fasteners and clamps.

The front door opens, under it - four five-inch seats, for example, under the DVD and all sorts of additional panels.

On the left on the top cover of the case - two USB port 3.0, two USB 2.0 ports, headphone and microphone outputs.

On the right - the power button, the reset button, the on / off button for the backlight of the case, the three-position button for switching airflow modes, the hard drive operation indicator, the airflow mode indicator.

The back of the body.

Install the power supply first. In the article, I wrote that I decided to take the V550 model - 550 watts. However, after thinking, I decided that I would still take a more powerful power supply. And the point is not that I want to have a power reserve: you never know what I would think of putting in a computer. The fact is that a more powerful power supply will turn on a cooler for blowing much less often, and it is extremely important for me that the computer is almost silent.

That's what I call a smartly packaged power supply. Just nice to take in hand.

The power supply itself, complete wires and a set of clamps.

We install the power supply in the PSU compartment of the case. It is installed with the fan down - there is a corresponding ventilation window with a dust filter on the computer case.

We fasten the power supply with bolts.

Now it's the motherboard's turn. By the way, before picking her up, make sure that you do not have static electricity on your hands, otherwise, if you discharge directly into your mother, this may end badly. The same goes for other computer boards.

We take out the motherboard.

It comes with a large set of fasteners, wires, adapters and so on.

Port block.

It must be installed in the corresponding slot of the computer case: carefully bring it to the slot inside the case and insert it evenly until it clicks. Check that the block is properly seated on all sides.

Slot for installing the processor. We release the clamping handle, open the clamping frame, remove the plastic plug.

We take out the processor from the box.

We install it in the landing slot. The triangle in the corner of the processor should face the triangle drawn on the motherboard under the socket. There are also two guides there, so putting the processor in the wrong way simply won’t work.

We cover the processor with a clamping frame, fix the handle under the ledge.

Now we install a cooling system on the motherboard with a processor, in simple terms - a cooler.

We take the cooler out of the box. It consists of a heatsink and a removable fan.

Two types of fasteners - for Intel processors and AMD processors.

Fasteners for Intel processors.

We remove the fan from the radiator so that it does not interfere.

The black frame is mounted on the bottom of the motherboard under the processor, and its posts pass through special holes.

Holders are installed on these racks from the top. They can be installed the way I have, or you can turn them 90 degrees.

Before installing the heatsink, the upper part of the processor must be lubricated with a special heat-conducting paste, which will increase the contact area of ​​the heatsink pad with the processor and improve heat dissipation. If the paste is not used or applied incorrectly, then, quite possibly, the processor will overheat, which is fraught with very big problems in the computer's operation. A special syringe with paste is attached to the cooler. There you need to unscrew the cap, squeeze the required amount onto the upper surface of the processor and spread this paste very evenly in a thin layer. Before this, do not touch the processor surfaces and the heatsink seat with your fingers so that grease stains do not appear.

After that, you need to install the heatsink and fix it properly so that it is pressed against the surface of the processor as tightly as possible.

Special double plastic buffers were applied to the fan, with which it had to work even quieter - I installed them.

After that, I installed the fan on the radiator and connected its power to the corresponding connector on the motherboard. This connector is located next to the processor, and there, through the BIOS or special programs, you can set the rotation speed of the cooler.

Next, you need to install the motherboard into the case. But first, one remark about installing the cooler. I have it installed opposite the case fan, which supplies air into the case. However, it would be best to rotate the radiator with the fan 90 degrees counterclockwise so that it supplies heated air to the exhaust fan, which is installed on the rear end (both of these fans are clearly visible in the photo). But I was prevented from installing it in this way by the location of the memory card slots on the motherboard - in this case, the fan would rest against the memory cards, which is undesirable. Therefore, I installed it exactly as in the photo - so it does not interfere with anything. And I thought that even with such an arrangement, I would not have any problems with cooling the processor: after all, this is a very efficient cooler. (I must say right away that this is how it turned out - there were no problems.)

The ports and outputs of the motherboard should be in their places in the already installed block. First, we check that everything is in place, after which we attach the motherboard without missing a single place of fasteners.

The motherboard is installed, now we begin to connect the wires.

In modern cases, special holes with rubber nozzles are always made through which cables and wires can be laid not from above motherboard and through the back wall. It's more convenient, and then everything looks much neater.

Connect cables as needed. power supply, we draw them through the back wall and connect them to the pads on the motherboard. The heads of the power supply cables clearly correspond to the pads, so it’s simply impossible to confuse something.

We connect the power to the main block of the motherboard, bringing the cable out of the hole closest to the block.

In the same way, we connect the rest of the cables - audio, USB, cooler power, and so on.

We pass all cables through the back wall, bring them out of the nearest hole and connect them. Later, when we collect everything, we will remove the extra sections of cables under the back wall.

A bundle of wires with heads comes from the case, which are connected to a group of contacts on the motherboard - this is a power button (two contacts are simply closed there), a power indicator, Reset, a hard drive indicator. Theoretically, the names and polarity of the contacts are written on the board and in the instructions, but Practically, advanced motherboards usually have a special block attached to it, to which you can easily and simply connect wires, and the block is then planted on a group of contacts. Here is this block.

We insert the wires (there is written on the head of each wire what it is).

We insert the block on the contacts.

For the convenience of work, I purchased such a universal card reader with additional USB ports. It is installed in a five-inch slot in the case.

The kit comes with two front panels in other colors - white and gray.

I have a white case, so I installed a white socket.

A plug is pulled out of the five-inch landing slot, a card reader is placed there and fixed. Its cables connect to the motherboard's USB pins.

Now install the memory. Before that, just in case, you need to look at the instructions: if only two of the four slots are used (and I have it), then the memory plates must be installed through the slot - this is the so-called dual-channel memory configuration. The instructions clearly describe how to install this memory: either in the 1st and 3rd slots, or in the 2nd and 4th.

Here are two strips of memory.

Installation: there is a special ledge in the memory slot, which shows exactly how to unfold the memory board so that the recess on it coincides with this ledge and the board is installed in the desired position. The board should be placed in the desired position, and then lightly pressed from the edges so that the board sits in the slot and the plastic levers snap into place along the edges.

Now we install a terabyte M.2 SSD - here it is, handsome.

The motherboard has two M.2 slots. We install in one of them and fix the board with a screw.

Despite the presence of a terabyte SSD, I nevertheless decided to put a quiet three-terabyte HDD in some far corner of the case - for all kinds of data that are not constantly used. holes hard drive, after which the disc is inserted into the selected section of the basket and clicked into place. Its power and interface pads are on the back wall, where they are connected with a power cable and a SATA cable.

Installed disk. Now it's the turn of the video card.

We take it out, insert it into the motherboard slot until the lever clicks into place. (There is still a small video capture card already inserted in the photo, which I use to take screenshots from media players.)

Advanced video cards require their own power supply - we connect it. (In very cool cards, you need to connect as many as two power heads.)

Well, everything seems to be collected.

Reinstall both covers.

We connect to the power supply, monitor, keyboard and mouse, run it - it all worked.

By the way, the illumination of the rear end is very convenient, especially since it can be turned off when it is not needed.

Well, now some indicators on the assembled machine. SSD speed on M.2.

On an old computer, Samsung 850 PRO has such a speed.

The difference, of course, is very noticeable. There, people at the Samsung SSDs switch the RAPID mode into the Samsung Magician and get such completely unrealistic speeds through caching.

But these are just beautiful numbers that have nothing to do with reality. But on M.2, this is reality! And it's not a PRO version yet (it's quite expensive, I didn't see the point in spending money). How does it look purely practical? The system from the beginning of the boot (after the BIOS) to the login window - 4 seconds. Launch Lightroom - 2 seconds. Starting Photoshop - 1.5 seconds. The overall index of the system by Basemark is like this. My old computer (very powerful) had 314.59.
Well, about the temperature of important components. Temperature at minimum rotation speeds (complete silence) when working with a browser, text editor etc.

Temperature at minimum rotation speeds (complete silence), when the processor is 100% loaded - DVD is being transcoded to MKV with H.264.

It practically does not go beyond 70 degrees, and this is quite normal. Moreover, one has only to increase the speed of the coolers from the quietest to the slightly noticeable - everything becomes something like this. At one hundred percent, I note, loading.

In the usual loaded mode (Lightroom and other programs), the processor temperature is somewhere around 35 degrees. The video card here is quite powerful - Palit Geforce GTX 1070. It has two coolers, but it turns them on only when it is under serious load, while coolers I can't hear it anyway. Here is the map's measurement after playing the last DOOM for ten minutes at the maximum settings for this configuration. The temperature is less than 60 degrees and the coolers are spinning at 32% of their maximum speed.
Here are the figures for the assembled machine. No wonder everything was selected separately. Well, as a conclusion about the assembly of the computer. The main thing here is to do everything VERY CAREFULLY, slowly and carefully studying the manuals and pictures in the manual (especially if there is still not enough experience).

A gaming computer can be considered a computer that is capable of playing all modern games, providing an acceptable level of comfort from this entertainment. But the requirements of users are different, so very different devices. For many users, it is enough that games play smoothly, game world displayed correctly and there are no problems with management. Professional gamers (who make money playing games) and those who spend a significant part of their leisure time in games put forward more stringent requirements for PC performance.

This material will tell you how to assemble a gaming PC with your own hands for both users who need smooth rendering of the picture on the screen, and gamers for whom the quality of graphics is above all. Of course, for these two categories of buyers, both the performance of components and their cost will differ significantly (up to ten times). But general recommendations on how to assemble a gaming PC with your own hands will be similar for everyone.

Building a PC on your own is, first of all, a solution that allows you to choose the optimal configuration for the needs of a particular user. Also, self-completing a computer is a way to save money. The question of how to build a cheap gaming PC is of interest to many users. Unfortunately, the performance of a computer is largely dependent on its cost. Therefore, a very cheap (for example, for 10-15 thousand rubles) gaming PC is now impossible to assemble.

Where to begin

Budget is a key factor when choosing accessories. Therefore, first of all, you should decide how much will be allocated for the purchase. It also matters whether you need the system unit itself, or peripheral devices (monitor, acoustics, keyboard, mouse).

IN model range Each manufacturer has several sockets (processor sockets). Each of them requires a motherboard with its own connector. If the CPU is equipped with Socket 1155, then the motherboard must have the same. In addition, you should consider the compatibility of the board with specific processor models. As a rule, board manufacturers publish lists of supported CPUs on official websites.

The requirements for the board itself are determined based on the number and capacity of RAM sticks to be installed, the number of connected drives (HDD, SSD), their interfaces (SATA, PCI-Express or M.2) and overclocking capabilities. The future upgrade also matters: if one is planned in a couple of months or years, you need to choose a motherboard with a large number of interfaces and a fresh chipset (for example, MSI H61M-P31/W8 for Intel, ASUS M5A78L-M LX for AMD). If the computer is taken for a long time, and the "pumping" of its components is not provided, system board you can save a little.

An advanced motherboard is needed if you plan to upgrade

video card

The GPU in a gaming PC is just as (if not more) important than the CPU. It is the video card that is responsible for processing the three-dimensional image and its output to the display. However, you can't just pick up and install a powerful video card and save on other hardware. Information for further processing GPU prepares a bunch of "CPU + RAM", which, in turn, receives data from the drive (HDD and SSD).

A weak processor will not allow you to unleash the potential of a gaming video card

"Weak link" (regardless of whether it is a processor, video card or HDD) will drag the system down, becoming a bottleneck. You can draw an analogy with a logistics terminal: no matter how high its throughput is, no matter how many cars are loaded, if there is a lack of loading equipment and labor, expanding the capabilities of the terminal itself will not help speed up its work.

Tandems of the form "inexpensive Intel Core i3 (or similar in terms of AMD FX series 4xxx) + Geforce GTX Titan X", thus, are extremely inefficient and are a waste of money. The "ceiling" of such processors is video cards of the Geforce GTX 750 Ti class. Such a chip will not reveal the potential of a more productive GPU.

To assess whether a combination of the selected processor and video card will have the optimal ratio of features, you can compare prices for them. The cost of the GPU must exceed the price of the CPU. In the budget category (Intel Core i3, AMD FX series 4xxx and 6xxx), the difference is 10-30%, and in the niche of more expensive devices it can reach 100%. That is, if you plan to buy a processor for 8,000 rubles, then it makes no sense to install a video card for 15,000 and more. But GeForce GTX 980, costing up to 50 thousand, will be optimally combined with an Intel Core i7 CPU for 25-30 thousand.

Video cards can also be installed 2 if the motherboard supports SLI (for Nvidia GeForce) or CrossFire ( AMD Radeon). In the budget segment, such a solution looks pointless (1 GPU for 15 thousand will be more productive than 2 for 8 thousand). In the top class, the connection of two video cards allows you to achieve an increase in performance, which cannot be realized in other ways.

Two video cards in SLI will increase the performance of a gaming PC

If you plan to upgrade your PC, you can purchase a motherboard with support for two video cards and get a GeForce GTX 960-level GPU. So far, the capabilities of this video card are enough to play all the games, and in a year it can be paired with another one of the same to increase performance.

It should be remembered that in order to work in SLI/CrossFire, video cards must be built on the same version of the graphics processor, if not identical.

RAM

When choosing RAM, the main thing is to consider the compatibility of generations and operating frequencies. For example, sixth-generation Intel Core i7 processors (and motherboards compatible with them) work with DDR4 RAM sticks, and AMD FX 8xxx - DDR3.

DDR4 memory is faster, but not supported by all processors

The amount of RAM is limited by the wallet and the number of slots on the motherboard. RAM is a never-ending resource (thank you to software developers who, after switching to 64-bit Windows, do not bother themselves with excessive efforts to optimize memory consumption). Therefore, install 8 GB of RAM, or 32 - it's up to users to decide.

When selecting RAM strips, it is recommended to install them in pairs or triples. In this case, the chips operate in two or three-channel (depending on the CPU model and motherboard) mode. In this case, the speed of data exchange theoretically increases, respectively, by two or three times. Two 4 GB modules will work faster than 1 x 8 GB.

Drives

Hard drives are slowly losing ground under the pressure of rapidly reducing the price, gaining capacity and becoming more reliable SSD. Since it is impossible to assemble a powerful gaming PC without a high-speed drive, a gaming computer cannot do without a solid-state drive. A capacity of 256 or 512 GB is enough to install Windows and games, and for multimedia content (music, movies), you can install a capacious HDD of 2, 3 or more terabytes in parallel.

The capacity of modern HDDs has already reached 10 TB

The first thing to understand is why you need such a system. Not only the cost of assembly depends on this, but also the nature of the choice of components. The most common computer that performs standard tasks can be assembled from entry-level elements. There is even an opportunity to play low-cost games. If you are an avid gamer or are demanding on graphics, then this choice is indispensable. You need a so-called gaming computer. You will need more RAM (from 16 GB), a processor with at least 4 cores, one or two discrete graphics cards, and, of course, powerful block power that will pull it all. The price of this pleasure can exceed 100 thousand rubles. Is it worth pursuing this? Everyone decides for himself. But it is more expedient to opt for a mid-range car.

What do you need to assemble a computer

CPU

The “heart” of a computer is considered to be the CPU, on the power of which a lot depends - whether an external video card will show its full potential, whether it will be possible to open several resource-intensive applications at once, whether it will be comfortable to watch videos in UltraHD format. For these purposes, Intel processors (i5 or i7) are suitable. The clock frequency starts at 3 GHz. It should not be surprising that in 10 years this parameter has increased insignificantly. Engineers have achieved a reduction in the technological process, which made it possible to increase the number of transistors on a chip, reducing power consumption.

It is better to pay attention immediately to the seventh generation of Intel processors, since the graphics card built into them allows you to play video content in the H.265 format, which is gaining popularity. The latest generation codec supports not only high frame rates, but also 10-bit color. A dual-core processor with four Pentium threads, the cost of which is minimal, can currently decode such material. Therefore, such a CPU is suitable for assembling a non-gaming system. For games in FullHD format, you need to look at the i5 line, in 4K - to the i7 series.

A landmark event in 2017 was the release of competitive models from AMD. The Ryzen 7 1800X can perform on par with the Intel i7-7700k. The most powerful platform for the average user will be based on one of these "stones". But the cheapest computer on AMD Ryzen cannot be assembled, since these processors do not have an integrated video core.

CPU cooling system

During the operation of the “stone”, heat is released, which must be removed. Therefore, a fan is needed. Central processors are supplied with a cooler (BOX version) and without (OEM). If you are a connoisseur of silence in the room, then it is better to choose the second option. Usually, third-party coolers have lower noise levels. For example, in the Alpine 11 PRO model from Arctic Cooling, this figure reaches 14 dB, which is 9 dB lower than that of “boxed” fans. Despite this, it is capable of cooling processors up to 95 watts. But it will not work if you are going to increase clock frequency CPU specified in the specification. For a gaming system, you must opt ​​for a cooling system with copper heat pipes. Copper base improves heat dissipation performance. For example, the TITAN Hati TTC-NC15TZ/KU cooler is designed for a maximum processor heat dissipation of already 160 watts.

Today, most cooling systems are made with speed control depending on the temperature of the CPU. When the system is not loaded, less power is required. Therefore, the fan should rotate more slowly (from 500 rpm) and create less noise. This modification has a 4-pin power connector, without control - a 3-pin.

The cooler has various mounts for AMD and Intel platforms. The most common sockets are LGA 2011 and 1151, and for AMD Ryzen processors, boards with AM4 have begun to be released. Compatibility is very important, check it in the instructions or on the manufacturer's website.

Motherboard

The foundation on which the entire system rests is called the computer motherboard. Models differ in the socket where the central processor is installed. This has been said before. In turn, they are divided according to the type of chipset, which is the link between the components. For example, Intel has Z270 or X99, AMD has X370 or 970.

The form factor also matters (ATX, mATX or mini-ITX). It depends on the type of case in which all the elements of the computer are located. An inexpensive machine can be obtained based on mATX. This motherboard has a shortened size, while retaining all the necessary functions. The gaming modification does not imply savings; the ATX type is suitable for it. For enthusiasts who need maximum performance and detailed rendering in games, manufacturers have added SLI and CrossFire functions (combining the power of several video adapters). Modern technologies allow you to install up to four video cards with one GPU. If the model name contains the word “Gaming”, be sure that it is supported here. A nice addition would be the presence of a backlight.

The backplane contains two or four RAM slots. For the future, it is better to purchase with four, so that later you can increase the total amount of memory. It is more profitable to choose a platform that supports DDR4 memory, the price of which is equal to DDR3. Check compatibility on the manufacturer's website.

If the video is built into the CPU, you need to pay attention to which outputs are used to communicate with the monitor. HDMI and DVI interfaces are common.

There are also USB ports on the back panel. At the moment, their fastest type is USB 3.1, including the input for various gadgets - Type-C.

All modern boards have PCI-E 3.0 x16 slots.

The audio controller will be essential for music lovers or movie lovers with high quality sound. We choose the most effective ones - SupremeFX S1220 or Realtek ALC1150/1220. Digital audio has better performance than analog. Therefore, manufacturers began to include an optical S/PDIF connector. An audio device with an HDMI input can be connected through the corresponding video card output.

The power supply of the motherboard and processor must be 24 + 8 pin.

RAM

Previously, its volume was measured in megabytes. Now even 4 GB is not enough. Memory sticks are located in slots on the system board. Some applications and, especially, games require large resources. The minimum required amount can be considered 8 GB. For gamers, 16 GB is already required.

The performance of RAM increases if it works in 2 or 4 channel modes. Therefore, we choose two bars with a volume of 4 or 8 GB, depending on the needs.

The bandwidth of DDR4 is higher than that of DDR3. At the same time, the power consumption is less. If the first operates in the voltage range of 1.2 - 1.35 V, then the second - at 1.5 V.

The memory frequency is critical if the video adapter is built into the processor. Otherwise, strips with a frequency from 2133 to 2666 MHz and a voltage of 1.2 V will do. Increasing the frequency will require an increase in the supply voltage to 1.35 V, which will lead to large energy costs.

The ideal option is to purchase two sticks of 8 GB RAM with a frequency of 2666 MHz.

video card

The graphics card is an important element for transferring video information from the computer to the display. It is of two types - built-in and external. The first does not require additional power and is not intended for games. The most advanced video core in Intel processors is HD Graphics 630, which is capable of decoding high-bitrate video in H.265 format. If this suits you, then you can save a lot on assembly without resorting to an external adapter. Otherwise, you can't do without it.

It all comes down to price and performance. The market offers many options for discrete graphics cards. Their power has grown so much that none of them can do without fans, the number of which reaches three. Another important parameter appears - the noise level.

Two manufacturers are fighting for a buyer in this segment - NVidia, which is more productive and colder, and AMD - a balance of price and quality.

For the average user, for whom the maximum requirement is accessibility network games, a model from the younger NVidia line - GTX 1050TI is suitable. It is equipped with a sufficient amount of 4 GB video memory, the recommended power supply is only 300 watts, it supports a high resolution of 7680 x 4320.

Fans of high-end games need a more powerful video adapter. They have the following models to choose from - GeForce GTX 1060, GTX 1070, GTX 1080, GTX 1080TI and GTX Titan X. The latter has 12 GB of the fastest GDDR5X memory, but requires 250 watts of power. GeForce GTX 1080 with 8 GB of VRAM and 180 watts is the best option for gaming in 4K resolution in the highest detail. If you are comfortable playing with medium settings, then choose the GTX 1070 from the price / performance ratio.

To improve energy efficiency in some models, cooling systems in idle mode are able to stop the rotation of the fans to reduce noise. The use of two or more coolers increases the reliability of the video system as a whole in case of failure of one of them.

Information carriers

Any computer cannot do without hard drives, which will store personal data or install an operating system. For faster loading and running Windows, you will need at least a 120 GB SSD drive. It consumes less power than a mechanical disk, is silent and takes up less space in the case. But he is not without flaws. The main ones are the time between failures and the higher price. Therefore, if you are recording a large amount of information, it is cheaper to buy an internal or external hard drive with a size of 4 TB or more.

Power Supply

When all the components of the PC platform are selected, let's start looking for the most important element on which the stability of the system depends. The power supply is involved in the distribution of energy and stabilization of the mains voltage.

If you have an office version of the computer (for example, without an external video card), then 400 watts of power will be enough. The average video adapter will require a 500-watt PSU. To power the GTX Titan X or multiple devices in SLI mode/ CrossFire needs a 750 watt unit.

There are two main indicators - efficiency and PFC. Power supplies with a coefficient are considered more efficient useful action over 80% (standard 80 Plus). How much useful energy is transferred to PC components depends on the efficiency. The larger it is, the less the power unit heats up. It is recommended to use a PSU with active power factor correction (APFC), as it further smoothes the voltage supplied to it. But it has a significant drawback - this type of device does not involve the use of uninterruptible power supplies (UPS).

For more information about choosing a power supply, see the article choosing a power supply for a computer.

Frame

All elements of the future system are placed in a metal box. The thicker the sheet, the more reliable. By size, they are divided into ATX, mATX and mini-ITX. The choice is yours. Small cases have limited volume for good ventilation, but take up less space. The ATX size allows you to install a long video card.

A case with a transparent cover will look spectacular, where you can see the LED backlight inside. Expensive models are supplied with an additional cooling system. This is important for a gaming PC that experiences intense heat.

It is better to choose the lower location of the power supply, as it takes cold air from under the bottom.

Peripherals

But the choice is not over yet. Without input manipulators, it is impossible to use a computer. The mouse and keyboard are wired (USB and PS / 2) and battery-powered. The second option is more practical, but the communication signal sometimes disappears. It's cheaper to buy a set. For a gaming PC, a mouse with multimedia buttons or a gamepad is suitable.

If there is a need to record information on optical media, then we purchase any DVD-RW drive.

Finding a monitor is a separate issue. We only note that you need to select displays on LEDs, flicker-free and with the ability to reduce blue radiation. It is recommended to check the viewing comfort in the store, as TN + film, IPS and VA matrices differ in contrast and color reproduction. Otherwise, the difference is only in resolution and diagonal.

How to assemble a computer yourself from components

PC components purchased. You can proceed directly to the assembly.

We take the motherboard out of the box and place it on cardboard or foam rubber. We find on the board the socket for installing the CPU. We take the processor and carefully insert it there without any additional effort.

Comes with cooler for CPU thermal paste is coming. We smear it with a thin layer on the surface of the “stone”. After reading the instructions, install the propeller on the base of the board. We check the tightness of the bases to each other. Connect the cooler power wires to the “CPU_Fan” connector. We find a similar connector for connecting a case fan.

We place the power supply in the case, which is fastened with screws.

In front of the case on a metal rack we fix the existing hard drives, SSD drives and drives.

Before installing the motherboard, we screw special legs into the holes in the case to prevent short circuits.

The backplane is included with the backplane for connectors of external parts of the PC: monitor, speakers, USB devices.

Carefully place the board on the legs and fasten with screws.

We remove the plug at the back of the case and insert a discrete video card into the PCI Express x16 slot.

It's time to connect all the installed elements with cables.

We connect the plugs on the front panel of the case - indicators of hard drive operation and power availability, buttons to restart and turn off the PC, as well as for USB ports. The connectors are usually located in one place under the PCI slots and are labeled.

We connect hard drives and disk drives to the system board with SATA cables.

It's time to start connecting the components to the power supply. First, we insert a 24-pin (or 20 + 4 pin) cable, which is responsible for supplying power to the motherboard, then an 8-pin cable that feeds the CPU.

Let's supply power to the devices for recording and storing information.

An external video accelerator usually requires additional power. We look for this wire from the PSU (6 and 8-pin) and insert it into the connector on the device.

Building a computer from scratch is complete. We close the case with a lid. We connect the monitor with a wire for transmitting video data, network cable plug it into the power supply, and the mouse and keyboard into the corresponding USB or PS / 2 ports. We turn on the computer.

Important steps in assembling a PC are determining the functions that it will perform and calculating the power of the power supply. This will help save a lot of money. Next, find out if an external video card is needed. She's not cheap either. SSD drives are a necessary element for maximum system performance. Efficient cooling in the case will require an additional fan. If the motherboard and graphics card have LED backlighting, then it is advisable to choose a frame with a window on the side wall. The main advantage of assembling with your own hands is the ability to replace components at any time.

Today, the world of computer technology is so diverse that it is very difficult to make a choice. For example, when deciding to get a computer, many people often think that ready-made equipment is better or it is better to assemble it at home with their own hands. Of course, young people who are at least a little versed in technology and quickly figure out what they are trying to assemble a computer with their own hands. Moreover, this option is much more economical than buying ready-made equipment.

But anyway, if you are going to build your PC personally, you should understand what advantages this option has. The first thing you need to do is to buy components that meet your requirements and requests, taking into account their compatibility. In addition, you need to decide which computer to build for gaming or work. Since young people today are obsessed with various games, we will try to assemble the best version of a gaming computer.

What is the most important thing in a computer? Of course, the system unit. As a rule, when buying it in a store and asking the seller about the prices and configuration of the block, it is difficult to find out, because no one in the store will reveal such important information to you. She's classified. Only by disassembling the block of the house, you can find out whether all the components and accessories are correctly selected in it.

Very often, sellers in the store claim that the system has 4 gigabytes of RAM and a gaming video card, but they do not mention the name of the manufacturers. This is because it is not profitable for them, since usually in stores they try to sell a system unit assembled from components of unknown or little-known manufacturers. As a result, when you bring it home, connect it, connect all the wires correctly and put the computer into operation, after a couple of months you will feel that there are failures in its operation. And after a short time, it can completely fail. All this is because unknown manufacturers do not try very hard with the quality of components, they believe that if they are not visible, since they are hidden inside the block, then it will do, and as a rule, the result of such negligence is not long in coming. Therefore, an important rule: all components of the block must be released by a well-established manufacturer.

Also an indisputable disadvantage of buying finished assembly system unit in the store is that in the future you may not even think about making any changes to its configuration. So, you can neither change its design, nor add or remove a set of functions. As a result, before buying, think about whether to buy in a store or start your own assembly.

Independent selection of components will allow you to choose them according to your requirements and wishes. In addition, remember that the price of a finished system unit is strongly influenced by the software part of the PC. You probably noticed that when buying a computer in a store, sellers of their own free will, in addition to the main Windows systems install additional ones, the existence of which you did not even know and are unlikely to ever use them. But they do not pay attention to it, because the more installed programs, the higher the cost of the system.

In addition, many sellers tell buyers that they install only licensed programs, and therefore the cost is high. But don't believe everything they say. After all, if you are familiar with software, then you probably know that one copy of the licensed software is designed for only one user. Besides, it is very expensive. So a logical question arises: will stores be able to buy as many licensed programs as they have in stock computer systems. Of course not. In fact, they install such a program on all computers, and customers are told false stories.

Some nuances

Remember self assembly will allow you to assemble a system unit with components that you really need and worthwhile. Moreover, in the future you can upgrade it. Moreover, the computer industry is developing at a rapid pace at the present time, you just need to keep up with it. If today it seems to you that you have collected modern and powerful equipment, then in a couple of months it may be considered obsolete.

Also remember that often sellers, in order to mislead the buyer, but at the same time offer good money for system units with "trimmed" versions of motherboards. They are cheaper, and the functionality of these components is limited. It is very difficult to upgrade such systems in the future.

Assembling the block with your own hands will give you freedom of action. You can install different accessories at your own discretion.

Components of a full-fledged computer

We will help you and tell you what to do at each stage of the assembly of components.

First of all, you need to know what the computer consists of, and this:

• frame;
• hard drive or SSD drive;
• monitor;
• keyboard;
• mouse;
• motherboard;
• CPU;
• RAM;
• power unit;
• video card.

When choosing components, remember that you do not need to buy too expensive spare parts, but very economical options will not work for you either. It is better to first get acquainted with prices, manufacturers, and only then, choose the golden mean. Pay special attention to the processor in order to be able to add RAM and a video card in the future.

How to connect components correctly

When you decide on the configuration of the future computer, bought the components necessary for assembly, you can begin work. It is worth saying that, in fact, such work is not difficult only for those people who have repeatedly encountered PC assembly, they know all the components, some features, nuances and assembly schemes very well. People who have not encountered such work will have to sweat a little, because here, first of all, attention and patience are required. Therefore, if you are ready to start, we provide you detailed instructions on assembling the system unit, which will help you avoid mistakes and do everything right.

So, first you need to check the availability of all components and make sure that they are intact. You will need:

• case and power supply;
• motherboard, plug, which is included in the kit, for the back of the unit;
• CPU;
• hard HDD disk or SSD;
• video card;
• cables for connecting spare parts;
• cooling system;
• RAM;
• if necessary, an optical drive.

Lay out all the spare parts on the rug in front of you and double-check their availability, after which you can proceed with installing the power supply.

Power Supply

Before we talk about installing a power supply, let's talk about its power. It is known that the computer is used for different purposes. Someone needs them purely to work with graphics or office applications, someone will work on it at home on the Internet, others want to enjoy a quality game. Depending on the area of ​​​​use, a case with a power supply is selected. So for working with graphics and high-quality games, a power supply unit that has a power of 500-600 watts is better suited. The fact is that a lower power unit will not be compatible with a powerful video card, since the power supply must always be compatible with the video card. The approximate cost of such a block is in the range of 50-60 dollars.

For a computer that will be used at home, surfing the Internet or office applications, a 350-400 W unit will do. Its cost is usually around 30-40 dollars.

Before starting the installation of the unit, it is necessary to remove the side cover from the housing. In some models, the power supply is mounted on top, and in others, on the bottom. Therefore, pay attention to this detail when installing it. In addition, a lot of wires with appropriate connectors should extend from the unit in order to connect other equipment.

Therefore, you need to make sure that the block has the necessary connectors, so that later you do not need to buy the missing adapters. The unit is fixed with screws using a Phillips screwdriver. So, having examined where in the case the block is attached, we install it and firmly fix it with screws. The first stage is over.

Motherboard

So, we have already installed the power supply in the case, the turn of the motherboard has come. First, we check whether this part is damaged, if everything is in order, you can proceed with its installation.

First of all, you will have to install the plug that comes with the motherboard. It is worth saying that it has special holes with which it is attached to the body. In addition, very often, special spare parts in the form of supports are included with the motherboard, which are designed to place the motherboard on them. If they are, then we first install them, and then the main part. After all, the supports are supplied so that the motherboard is firmly and securely located in its place. In addition, sometimes the methods of fixing the board may differ, it depends on the design of the case itself.

So, if the case is universal, does not have special frills, the motherboard is attached as follows:

It is very difficult to make a mistake here, since there is only one suitable connector.

CPU

The third step is to install the CPU. When installing a processor, you must remember that the motherboard is equipped with a socket for it, which is called a socket. The characteristics of the processor and motherboard must be similar, the sockets must match.

The processor is installed in a special place, which is very noticeable. It is presented in the form of a rectangular connector with a clip, has dimensions no larger than a box.

We press a small lever, take it to the side, then open the lid as far as possible and begin to install the processor. Here comes the most important point which requires a lot of attention. Install the processor correctly. How to do it?

There is a label on the processor that has the shape of a triangle, the same label is in place to which it should be attached. During installation, you need to combine these two marks with an accuracy of a millimeter. The installation must be performed as follows: we take the processor by the ribs and gently place it on the location, the landing should be easy and soft, without effort or pressure. In addition, in no case do not touch the contacts, so as not to damage it. When the processor is installed, carefully fix it with a clamp, returning it to its original place. At the end, we connect the power cable to the connector, which is located nearby.

Cooling system

There are a lot of types of cooling systems, let's consider the installation of a standard cooler on latches. First you need to prepare the cooler, use the latch to open it and remove protective film. If there is no thermal paste on the edge, then be sure to apply it to improve the heat conduction process between the fan heatsink and the processor. It is applied in a thin and even layer.

Next, we install the cooler on the processor, and it does not matter which side will be installed. True, the installation must be carried out in such a way that the power wire can be connected to the connector on the system board.

Since the cooler has four latches, when installing it, all of them must match the motherboard connectors.

We put the cooler on the board, combining the connectors, snap the latches two at a time, diagonally. Proper fixation is made if you hear clicks and the fan does not stagger or move. If you feel even slight movements, then fix it again. Next, we connect the power to the fan, using a cable that has a connector, it must be installed in the connector on the motherboard, which is located close to the processor.

HDD

The hard drive is installed in the front of the case. If there is only one hard drive, then it is better to install it in the lower bay. To mount the hard drive, remove the second side cover from the block.

We put the disk in the compartment, fix it with screws. Fastening must be made firmly and securely. Next, connect the power and data cables to the hard drive. Consider connecting via the SATA interface - a flat-type cable, wide, designed for power supply, and narrow, in turn, for transmitting information. We connect the power cable to the HDD, in the same way we connect the information transfer cable. In this case, problems should not arise, since the connection system is very simple.

Optical drive

To install optical drives, we remove the plugs on the outer part of the case, then we install the device in a special compartment and securely fasten it with fasteners.

RAM

Installing RAM is not difficult. There are latches on the connectors, which will need to be bent to the side before installing the RAM. Then we put the bar of RAM into the connector, press lightly. The fasteners return to their original place. Everything! We installed RAM. An important detail. Remember, on the RAM bar, there is a small connector, it is not located in the middle, but slightly shifted to the side. Therefore, if the memory does not fall into place, then you need to try to deploy it and install it on the opposite side.

video card

To install the video card, you will need to remove one metal plug, which is located on system unit behind. Next, we repeat the same steps as with the installation of RAM, additionally securing the video card to the case with a screw.

wires

The most difficult stage of the assembly of all the above described is the connection of the wires. The work is greatly simplified if the manufacturer has prudently signed all the wires, so it is clear what needs to be connected to, it is almost impossible to make a mistake. Therefore, we recommend that when buying wires, pay attention to the inscriptions on them, so it will be much easier to complete the last stage of assembly.

We check the performance of a computer of our own production. If everything is done correctly, then by pressing the button on the block body, you will hear a single squeak. Wow we did it! Next, we install the operating system, and you can happily indulge in enjoying powerful and modern computer games.

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