How to Build a Custom PC?
Getting started: What is Custom PC Building?
Custom PC Building is in many ways a form of art, you get to have full control over not only on the aesthetics of the case, but also to expand on your own creativity to create a PC Build that truly reflects and meets your every need.
The thought of building your own custom PC may seem daunting at first, but the joy and satisfaction of being able to handpick what goes into your build and having your very own build that suits your needs specifically is extremely rewarding. Consideration into the size and type of PC case is more important that it seems and will affect the type of components that go into the build and the possibility for future upgrading of them.
The following simple guide should help you get a deeper understanding into Custom PC Building and assist you in making a more informed decision on building a PC that can achieve your needs and expectations.
PC Cases - Size matters.
One of the more important decisions you have to make is choosing the size of PC cases which generally fall into one of four categories namely SFF/Mini/Mid/Full tower cases.
Small Form Factor (SFF)
Considered to be niche in the PC Market, the Small Form Factor’s popularity however is quickly increasing due to it’s incredible portability and ease of access.
Some cases can go as small as a console making it very attractive for those who have very limited space for a build or just want to have their PC blend into the backdrop of their homes. The SFF Cases uses mainly an ITX sized motherboard which is the smallest sized one in the market.
- Focus
AestheticsStealth/Low-ProfileQuiet & minimalistic builds.
Things to note
- SFF Parts and components are usually on the pricier end and may be hard to source out.
- Potential high temperatures on long operating hours due to restricted airflow.
- High level gaming is possible with the right budget.
- Single graphic card slot.
- Might encounter more difficulty in replacing parts due to space constraint.
- Very limited physical space for storage drives.
Mini Tower Cases
An optimal choice for those who prefer to keep a stealth-like profile while still having the capabilities to perform at a higher level as compared to Small Form Factor Cases. This size is widely considered to be the most versatile to build as it is easy to upgrade and is highly compatible with sizes larger than a Mini Tower Case.
These cases will mostly utilize the M-ATX sized motherboards.
Focus:
- Gaming/high performance capabilities
- Budget focused builds
Things to note:
- Options for future upgrading of parts will be slightly limited especially for most heavy duty Graphics Cards(e.g. triple-fan GPUs).
- Water Cooling functions with radiators bigger than 120mm might not be compatible.
- Airflow efficiency might be affected by bad cable management due to space constraint.
- Single graphic card slot
- Limited physical space for storage drives
Mid Tower Cases
The hardcore gamer’s choice.
Mid Tower Cases are the most common in the market as it is able to accommodate almost any component and having the ability to perform at high levels for longer term hardcore gaming or software functionality. With this option, builders will have a wide range of flexibility in their PC Builds in terms of water-cooling, fan sizes and Graphic Cards.
These cases will mostly utilize up to the ATX sized motherboards.
Focus:
- Long term high performance gaming/software builds.
Things to note:
- Mostly compatible with anything but the biggest components (e.g 360mm radiators, 200mm case fans)
- Able to fit up to 2-3 graphic cards depending on the ATX sized motherboard
- Airflow efficiency dependent on size and placements of components
- Able to take multiple storage drives
- Good level of flexibility in accessory compatibility
Full Tower Cases
The builder’s enthusiast choice.
Full Tower Cases brings PC Building to a whole new level with near limitless possibilities.
This behemoth of a case will easily fit any component with space to spare, allowing for a multitude of customization and accessories to be installed to fully bring out the builder in you.
Cases like these can even fit multiple 200mm case fans which allows for very efficient airflow and are rarely compatible in the smaller case sizes.
The ability to fit huge 360mm water-cooled radiators will make super heavy duty & long term usage a breeze.
These cases will mostly utilize the biggest E-ATX Motherboards.
Focus:
- Long term super heavy duty gaming/software & Showcase Builds.
Things to note:
- Build will most likely be heavy and bulky
- Allows for a high number of storage drives and drive bay installations
- Dismantling and building of PC made easy due to large space
- Huge flexibility in accessory compatibility
Major components of a PC.
- Central Processing Unit (CPU)
Widely regarded as the “Brains” of the PC, the CPU is responsible processing and executing instructions to allow the rest of your components to function as intended.
The market is currently split between two types of CPU manufacturers namely Intel and AMD.
In recent years, Intel has generally been playing catch-up when compared with AMD chips in almost every aspect. The only saving grace is that it is generally agreed upon that newly released Intel software and drivers are known to be more reliable and has less chances to encounter bugs/issues.
- Motherboard/Mainboard
Usually the biggest circuit board inside the PC. It allocates power and allows communication to and between parts like the RAM and CPU. - Graphic Processing Unit (GPU)
The GPU is responsible for rendering all images on the computer’s screen.
There are standalone versions which will have to be connected to the motherboard and also others that comes integrated inside the CPU chip. - Storage (SSD/HDD)
Data storage devices are also a vital part of a PC, the main storage device stores the Operating System files which enables it to function.
Hard-Disk Drives(HDD) generally are lower in cost and will perform fine for normal usage. They are available in two common form factors: 2.5″ which is more commonly used in laptops, and 3.5″ which are more common in Desktops.
Solid State Drives(SSD) is a much newer technology as compared to HDDs and gives higher access and load times. Another big advantage it has is that an SSD can come in smaller sizes, from 2.5″ , to the even smaller M.2 slots which can be as small as a thumb drive. One considering factor however, is that SSDs are generally pricier as compared to HDDs, although it is highly recommended to at least use an SSD for your main OS storage as it significantly improves start-up timings.
For more information on the difference between SSD & HDD, refer to our article below:
- Power Supply Unit (PSU)
The PSU is responsible for providing power to many parts of your PC, most importantly the Motherboard, GPU and Storage disks.
You should always take into account the amount of power your power supply has as it generally scales with performance-
The Higher the performance of your PC, The more amount of power you need from your GPU hence it is always a good practice to get a PSU with a good amount of buffer space for future upgrading or accessories like case fans that will also take up a portion of it’s power.
software and drivers are known to be more reliable and has less chances to encounter bugs/issues.
The market right now mainly consist of Bronze certification (budget-focused) and Gold certificiation (premium focused) PSUs and the main difference is in the efficiency rating of the PSU.
Click on the link below for more information on the differences between the certifications:
Things to take note before building a PC.
It is always good practice to use Anti-static mats, are also known as ESD Mats (Electrically static dissipative Mats).
They help protect sensitive electronic equipment from damage by dissipating any electrical discharge before it can sabotage the item.
This prevents any accidental shortage to your components and can avoid you the pain of having to wait or source for a new replacement part during the building process.
In light of the current COVID-19 situation, it is of even more importance that we stay vigilant and ensure a clean and virus-free environment is achieved. Click on the link below to learn how you can disinfect your PC.
Common issues to troubleshoot.
It is quite easy to miss out connecting your components after building, especially when there are multiple accessories inside your case, it can get confusing really quickly.
A general guideline to check:
PSU to CPU Power on Motherboard
PSU to Motherboard (Usually a 24 Pin Connector)
PSU to GPU Power on GPU
PSU to Storage Drives
SATA Cables from Motherboard to Storage Drives
Front Panel Connectors to Motherboard (To allow Front Panel USB and Power Button function if applicable)
For more complicated or unresolved issues, you can approach us for a Full Diagnostic test to better understand the issue and get a professional resolution, you can see our locations by clicking the link below:
Performance testing.
3D Mark is widely recognized as being easy to use for benchmarking on the overall graphics performance of your desktop. It gives you an overall score of your performance and you can also use it to compare it against others who have posted their score online.
3DMark benchmark for Windows, Android and iOS (ul.com)
UserBenchmark is also good for gauging the capabilities of your PC Build and serves a similar purpose compared to 3DMark but with lower stress on your system.
UserBenchmark: PC Speed Test Tool – Compare Your PC
UserBenchmark is also good for gauging the capabilities of your PC Build and serves a similar purpose compared to 3DMark but with lower stress on your system.
UserBenchmark: PC Speed Test Tool – Compare Your PC
Other similar alternatives:
If building a Custom PC seems too high a hurdle, you can approach our team of experienced Custom PC Builders to help you in building one that tailors to your needs.
Click on the button below to get started on a professional Custom PC Building experience!