Purchasing a PC or Building Your Own Chapter 14 Purchasing a PC or Building Your Own

You Will Learn… Some guidelines to use when purchasing a PC How to prepare for assembling a PC yourself How to assemble a PC from separately purchased parts

Selecting a PC to Meet Your Needs Consider upgrading if cost of the upgrade does not exceed half the value of current system Don’t upgrade a computer system older than five years

Alternatives When Selecting a PC Buy a brand-name PC Buy a clone Buy parts and assemble a PC yourself (personally designed clone)

Selecting a PC to Meet Your Needs (Hierarchical) Identify the intended purpose Define the functionality needed Define hardware and software needed to meet the functionality Decide on your budget If a clone will meet your needs, do you want to assemble it yourself?

Purchasing a Brand-Name PC versus a Clone Costs more than a clone Generally provides better after-sales service and additional support May be more proprietary, making upgrading and repairing more difficult

Selecting Software Choose operating system first Choose application software Functionality Compatibility Training Documentation Upgrade policies Popularity

Selecting Hardware Most important criteria: Consider motherboard first Compatibility Functionality Consider motherboard first Other considerations (eg, PnP, modem selection, power supply)

Considerations When Selecting a Total Package What hardware and software are included? Warranty and return or exchange policy? On-site or local service available? ACPI and Energy Star compliant? What software preinstalled? What documentation provided? continued…

Considerations When Selecting a Total Package Manufacturer’s Web site maintained? Motherboard allow for expansion of RAM? What expansion slots are not being used? Can features be disabled? How much does it cost?

Selecting a Total Package High-priced to middle-range PCs offer more: Network capability Expandability Support Prior testing

Why Build Your Own PC? Knowledge gain Complete control over every part Availability of documentation and original software disks Personal satisfaction

Why Not Build Your Own PC? Takes time High likelihood of encountering problems No overall warranty on assembled product Possibility of selecting components that are incompatible Need access to an experience technician or technical service center Probably won’t save money

Getting Ready for Assembly: Selecting Parts Selecting each component requires reviewing your functionality, compatibility, and budget needs Select motherboard first, then CPU and RAM (all from same local dealer, if possible) Select the case and accompanying power supply Select hard drive and other drives Select video card and other peripherals (mouse, keyboard, monitor)

Getting Ready for Assembly: Final Preparations Prepare a work area that is well lit and uncluttered Read all documentation and plan entire assembly Get questions answered before you begin

Steps for Building a PC Verify that you have all the parts Prepare the computer case Install case fans and I/O shield Remove plates covering drive bays and install spacers Install drives Determine proper configuration settings for motherboard; set jumpers and DIP switches continued…

Steps for Building a PC Install CPU and CPU fan Install RAM on the motherboard Install motherboard and attach cabling Install video card Plug computer in; attach monitor, keyboard, and mouse Boot the computer, check CMOS settings, and verify operation

Step 1: Verify You Have All the Parts

Step 2: Prepare Computer Case

Installing a Fan

Installing Spacers

Step 3: Install Drives Set IDE jumpers on each IDE drive in the system Install CD-ROM drive Install hard drive Install floppy drive

Installing the CD-ROM Drive

Installing the Floppy Drive

Step 4: Set Jumpers or Switches on the Motherboard

Step 4: Set Jumpers or Switches on the Motherboard

Step 4: Set Jumpers or Switches on the Motherboard

Step 4: Set Jumpers or Switches on the Motherboard

Step 5: Install CPU and CPU Fan

Step 5: Install CPU and CPU Fan

Step 6: Install RAM on the Motherboard

Step 7: Install Motherboard and Attach Cabling

Step 7: Install Motherboard and Attach Cabling

Step 7: Install Motherboard and Attach Cabling

Step 7: Install Motherboard and Attach Cabling

Step 7: Install Motherboard and Attach Cabling

Step 7: Install Motherboard and Attach Cabling

Step 7: Install Motherboard and Attach Cabling

Step 7: Install Motherboard and Attach Cabling

Step 8: Install Video Card

Step 8: Install Video Card

Step 8: Install Video Card

Step 9: Plug Computer in and Attach External Devices

Step 10: Boot Computer, Check Settings, Verify Operation

The Complete System

Chapter Summary Guidelines for purchasing a new PC After-sales service and support are most important criteria Reasons for building a PC from parts Knowledge gain Complete control over every part Availability of documentation and original software disks Personal satisfaction Procedures for building a PC from parts