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

2. 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

3. 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

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

5. 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?

6. 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

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

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

9. 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…

10. 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?

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

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

13. 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

14. 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)

15. 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

16. 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…

17. 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

18. Step 1: Verify You Have All the Parts

19. Step 2: Prepare Computer Case

20. Installing a Fan

21. Installing Spacers

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

23. Installing the CD-ROM Drive

24. Installing the Floppy Drive

25. Step 4: Set Jumpers or Switches on the Motherboard

27. Step 4: Set Jumpers or Switches on the Motherboard

28. Step 4: Set Jumpers or Switches on the Motherboard

29. Step 4: Set Jumpers or Switches on the Motherboard

30. Step 5: Install CPU and CPU Fan

31. Step 5: Install CPU and CPU Fan

32. Step 6: Install RAM on the Motherboard

33. Step 7: Install Motherboard and Attach Cabling

34. Step 7: Install Motherboard and Attach Cabling

35. Step 7: Install Motherboard and Attach Cabling

36. Step 7: Install Motherboard and Attach Cabling

37. Step 7: Install Motherboard and Attach Cabling

38. Step 7: Install Motherboard and Attach Cabling

39. Step 7: Install Motherboard and Attach Cabling

40. Step 7: Install Motherboard and Attach Cabling

41. Step 8: Install Video Card

42. Step 8: Install Video Card

43. Step 8: Install Video Card

44. Step 9: Plug Computer in and Attach External Devices

45. Step 10: Boot Computer, Check Settings, Verify Operation

46. The Complete System

47. 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