Introduction

How many cores should I use in my CPU to maximize video render times?

Should I buy a CPU with an integrated GPU, or save and purchase a discreet graphics card?

Where does this cable go?

Important questions all. If you’re new to the PC building world, the litany of technical jargon and abbreviations can be nothing short of overwhelming. CPU, GPU, SSD, RAM, it seems everything has a three-letter abbreviation in the PC world. And that’s just choosing parts, how are PCs assembled? So many cables, parts, compatibility issues, etc. it can be daunting to even start the build process. However, I am here to tell you this: building a computer is not difficult. Experienced builders can build a basic PC in less than an hour, and even beginners should be able to accomplish fairly complicated builds in a afternoon. Here, I hope to break down the PC building process so anybody can build their own computer. This is a hobby I’ve enjoyed for many years, and I’m always inviting people to get their hands dirty and build their own hardware. One of the questions I am often asked is “Why build a PC when I can buy one, plug it in and get right to work?”. Let’s answer that!