Beginner’s Guide to Building Your First PC 

Assembling your first PC is a rite of passage, but it doesn’t need to be an ordeal! Here’s everything you need to know, from picking the right parts to making sure the PC stays safe for years to come. 

Part Selection

• Figuring out which parts should come together to create your dream PC is one of the most daunting (and fun!) challenges ahead. The result depends on two things — your use case and your budget.
• What will you use the PC for? If it’s just schoolwork and browsing, then a modest, cheap build will do the trick. Gaming? Then you’ll need a decent graphics card and CPU combo, along with a good power supply. Productive tasks like video editing require the best CPUs and more RAM, not to mention faster storage space.
• While PCs are highly modular, mistakes can still occur. For example, a motherboard made for Intel will only be compatible with a generation or two of Team Blue’s CPUs. Similarly, older motherboards may not be compatible with DDR5 RAM.
• Luckily, sites like PC Part Picker will alert you to such conflicts. Component prices vary by store, and you can regularly get amazing discounts. Waiting for those can save you a lot of time. Graphics cards have become very expensive, while generational upgrades have become less frequent. If you can find a trustworthy seller, a used card like the RTX 4070 may be a better buy than a brand-new RTX 5060.

Assembly

• Building your first PC isn’t easy, but it is straightforward. Provided you’ve bought compatible components, connecting them comes down to connecting the proper connectors and securing loose parts with screws. A comprehensive guide would require much more space, so here’s the short version.
• Start by installing the CPU. Remove the protective cover from the motherboard’s CPU socket and gently place the CPU onto the tray. Make sure the pins align and that the chip stays in place. Pull the lever on the side to lower the frame and secure the processor. If you bought an M.2 NVMe drive, now’s the time to install it under the heatsink closest to the CPU socket.
• The motherboard goes onto a tray inside the case. Multiple standoffs and screws secure it. Mount the CPU air cooler or the pump head and radiator if you have an AIO. Don’t forget to apply the thermal paste! You can now install the RAM in the sockets next to the CPU. Dual-channel kits usually go into the 2nd and 4th slots. Connect the case cables to the motherboard.
• Now you can mount the graphics card and install the power supply. Save additional SSDs and fans for last. Once everything is hooked up, you can tidy up the cables with zipties or by tucking them away behind the motherboard tray.

Boot Up & Software Installation

• If you’ve done everything correctly, the PC will boot up, and you can access the BIOS. There, you can adjust system time and set up the boot order if you have multiple drives. Most importantly, you’ll want to enable your RAM’s XMP or EXPO profiles; otherwise, it won’t run at its maximum frequency!
• Whether you go with Linux for versatility or Windows for gaming, the OS installation should be straightforward. Once that’s done, you’ll want to let the OS download all required updates. It’s also a good idea to visit Ninite and create a custom installer for all the browsers, frameworks, game launchers, and programs you’ll need. 

Securing Your PC 

• You’re almost done! The last step is to ensure your PC runs as smoothly and securely as possible by installing a few cybersecurity and quality-of-life tools.
• For example, you’ll quickly notice how practically every software or online service requires an account. Each account needs a strong, unique password to stay safe. A reliable credential storage will ensure that all the login details you’ll need are generated and securely stored. It lets you fill in passwords automatically and sync with other devices, too.
• Before subscribing to a service, do your research, though. If you’re wondering whether a popular provider like NordPass is a good password manager, be sure to check customer sentiment and reviews online.
• An ad blocker is an essential browser extension with two significant benefits. First, it removes the vast majority of intrusive ads that would otherwise clutter your screen and make browsing impossible. More importantly, you’ll no longer see malicious ads and won’t fall for false advertising or social engineering scams.
• One way to make your online activities safer is to keep them private. For that, you’ll need a trustworthy VPN. They encrypt your internet traffic, meaning your ISP or anyone else who might monitor it can’t know the specifics or intercept sensitive files. Additionally, VPNs can mask your IP address. 
• On the one hand, that’s handy if you want to access content from a different region that would otherwise be restricted. On the other hand, it means websites can’t profile you based on repeat visits and interests.

Final Thoughts

Building your first PC is an exciting and empowering experience. With the right components, a bit of patience, and a willingness to learn, you’ll walk away not only with a machine tailored to your needs but also with valuable knowledge you can use for future upgrades and troubleshooting. Take your time, stay organized, and enjoy the process—your new system reflects your effort and creativity.

Disclaimer

The information in this guide is provided for general educational purposes only. Hardware specifications, compatibility, prices, and software features can change over time, so always double-check details with manufacturers or trusted retailers before making a purchase. Follow all safety guidelines when working with electronic components, and proceed at your own risk. The author is not responsible for any damage, data loss, or issues that may result from assembling or modifying your PC.