START BUILDING
Case: Thermaltake Core V31
Build: Turn to page 56 to start preparing your PC case
Making Your Choice
As with any purchase, there are several things you need to consider before you choose a case. Getting things wrong here could mean a difficult build or additional expense later.
CASE SIZE
Unless you have a very specific function planned for your PC, media Box or portable, it is best to choose the size based on the hardware you want to fit inside. For most first time builders, a mid size tower is probably the best mix of size, budget and range of styles available. If your initial build is a stepping stone to a gaming rig, you might want to think about getting an E-ATX case from the start. You can read more about the different case sizes available on the next page.
BUDGET
If you are on a tight budget with this build, you are probably going to get better value for money with a mATX case. You can expect to pay anything from £25 to £300 ($30 to $350) for a mATX case, depending on brand, quality and features. You really don’t need to spend a fortune, as really good quality starter cases are available from around £40 ($45). You can expect to pay closer to £100 ($115) for a half decent E-ATX case and double that for a high-spec one. Our advice is to go for a cheaper big name case: Thermaltake, Coolermaster, Corsair, Antec etc. rather than a flashy one from a lesser-known brand.
STYLE
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Do You Need An Optical Drive?
Building a PC a few years ago without an optical drive would have seemed like madness. It would have made using the PC fairly difficult as most software was supplied on discs and Internet speeds were not really up to the task of downloading large files such as games. Nowadays, almost everything you might want to install on your PC can be bought electronically and discs are becoming somewhat obsolete. So do you actually need to install a CD/DVD drive?
The Right RAM
A fast and easy way to add a performance boost to your PC is to install high quality, fast RAM (Random Access Memory). DDR4 is the latest variation of PC memory and is the fastest and most efficient yet but just like many other components in your build, RAM isnât quite as simple as it might at first seem. Different motherboards support different maximum amounts, as do different operating systems and it is available in many different speeds and configurations.
Expansion Cards and Extras
Expansion cards are technically any printed circuit board that can be added to the system to add functionality or features. This means that a graphics card is an expansion card, albeit a fairly fancy one, and you can run a PC without including one, assuming the motherboard has on-board graphics. Here we will look at some of the other expansion card options you may want or need in your build.
Fitting The Motherboard Into The Case
If you have been following the steps of the build so far, you should now be in a position to fit the motherboard, along with the fitted CPU, cooler and RAM, into your prepared case. This not only involves screwing the board into place but also correctly connecting all the case controls like the power switch, HDD LED, front USB ports etc.. Your motherboard will also have been supplied with a back plate.
Troubleshooting Your Build
Hopefully, if you have followed all of our instructions carefully, you wonât have any problems during the first boot of your new PC. However, problems can and do occur, even for experienced builders. The difference between a beginner and an experienced builder is the ability to solve problems and troubleshoot the PC build. If you have a problem with your computer, it will likely be one of these.
Preparing the Case
Choosing a case used to be almost an afterthought when building a custom PC. One grey box was much the same as another grey box. Thankfully the days of grey boxes are well and truly over and our choice of PC case ranges from tiny media boxes designed to go next to a TV, to bespoke glass towers aimed at those who want to show off their perfectly co-ordinated components. However, whichever case you choose, some preparation is needed before beginning your build.
Upgrading to Windows 10 from Windows 7 or 8.1
If you have an existing copy of Windows 7 or 8.1 on disc, not being used on another active PC, you can use this for the initial install of Windows and then upgrade to Windows 10 afterwards or at a later date. You have missed the deadline for the free upgrade to 10 but it is quite likely that Microsoft will reopen that offer, or run similar discounted offers, for their new OS in the near future. This guide assumes you are taking this route to Windows 10, rather than a fresh install.
Need More Power?
The role of a PC power supply unit is to convert the AC electric power that comes from the mains to the DC power that the computer requires. However, it can do much more than that. A good quality power supply can make your system more efficient, stable and reliable. The power supply is often the first component to fail in an older system, so making sure you understand the full role of the PSU in your build is very important.
Navigating Your Motherboard
We will be referring to specific parts of the motherboard in detail as we work our way through the build but for now it is a good idea to familiarise yourself with how a standard motherboard is laid out, where the sockets and ports will be, and what they look like. There will be some slight variations in location of sockets and features between different motherboards but most will follow this general layout pattern.
Final Checks and First Boot
If you have followed all of the build steps thus far, you should now be at the point where the first boot up is looming. Before you do, it is worth going back and checking that everything is ready, all cables are connected and everything is looking good. First boot doesnât mean that you canât go back and change things later but you can avoid problems by doing a few simple checks.
