CSCI E-1 | Workshop | Building a PC

Contact Information

Instructor: David J. Malan
TFs: Rei, Dan, Eugenia
Course Staff Email: cscie1@fas.harvard.edu
Meetings available by appointment

I want one!

Before you buy, determine your need.
- General use?
  - Email
  - Web
  - Word Processing
- Office productivity?
  - Presentations
  - Reports
  - Spreadsheets
- Entertainment?
  - Movies/Videos
  - Music
  - HTPC
- Multimedia Editing
  - High quality images
  - Video rendering
  - Audio encoding
- Gaming
  - Sturdy keyboard and mouse (and joysticks)
  - Hardware intensive
Before you buy, determine your budget!
- The "L33t" Box
- The Hot Rod
- The Budget Box
How fast do you need it?
- Immediately!
- I can wait.
- But, isn't there always new stuff coming on the horizon?

OK, so now how do I get one?

Buy one from a brick-and-mortar store.
- Best Buy
- Comp USA
- Micro Center
- etc.
Configure/select one from an OEM.
- Alienware
- Dell
- HP
- etc.
Used PCs.
- Craigslist
- Retired equipment from the office
- etc.
Build your own from scratch.
- Need to purchase parts separately.
- Sometimes need to use multiple vendors.
- "Newbies" might want to work with a " kit" for their first try.

OEM Purchases and Used PCs

Comon configurations.
Configuration forms/wizards.
Upgrades and repairs.
Software licenses.

Building a PC

Why build your own computer?
- It's fun!
- Get exactly the parts you want.
- A great way to get to know hardware.
What about saving money?
- BYO eliminates the cost of assembly (which is typically highly automated these days).
- Lose the magic of bulk discounts.
- Lose software (OEM installed OS and office productivity suites).
- Don't have to purchase unnecessary components.
- Resuse of old parts (to an extent).
  - Monitors
  - Network cards
Who cannot build their own computers?
- Laptop users
- Mac users
What do I need to get started?
- Need to haves
  - Several sizes of screwdrivers
  - Needle nose pliers
- Nice to haves
  - Grounding strap
  - A working computer (Obviously not the one you're building!)
  - A working Internet connection
  - A CD burner
  - A friend who's done this before.
  - David's phone number ;)
Easing into it.
- Get used to handling hardware by doing upgrades first
- You could start with "minimalist" hardware
  - Case
  - Power supply
  - Motherboard
  - CPU
  - RAM
  - HDD
  - Interface devices (keyboard, mouse, monitor)
- Kit systems
Shopping!
- Picking components
  - Buyer's guides
  - Product reviews
- Used Components
  - Reuse from your own computers
  - Buy used from others
  - Dumpster Diving!!!
- New Components
  - Brick and mortar
    - Usually harder to find lowest prices
    - Usually limited selection
  - Online
    - Shopping engines
- Shopping for the long haul
  - Case
  - Monitor
  - Peripherals
Putting it all together
- Read your manual(s)!
- Install case components
  - Power supply
  - Fans
  - I/O plate
- Install motherboard
  - Line up mobo and check screw placement
  - Insert any risers
  - Use rubber washers (if included in your kit)
  - Don't tighten screws too hard
  - Attach case headers (power, status light)
  - Attached power cable
- Mobo components
  - CPU
  - Heatsink/fan
  - RAM
- Expansion cards
  - Remove card covers as needed
  - Install video card first
  - Test system. If everything is OK, install other cards.
- Secondary storage
  - HDDs
  - May need rails/drive cages
- Plug in data cables and power
- Route cables to improve airflow
- Replace card and drive bay covers
- Replace case covers
It's ALIIIVE!
- Insert OS media (floppy or CD or DVD)
- Boot to BIOS and configure if necessary
- Install OS and applications

Advanced Maneuvers

Overclocking
Extreme Cooling
Case mods
Bringing new life to old hardware without the expense of upgrades
- MAME
- UI tweaks

Workshop 6: Building a PC

Contact Information

Workshop Objectives

I want one!

OK, so now how do I get one?

OEM Purchases and Used PCs

Building a PC

Advanced Maneuvers

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