[Driver 944]

Still debating about buying vs. building a computer? Maybe this will help.

"Building a computer from scratch gives you the perfect machine for your needs, but it can be daunting the first time around. In this edition of Lifehacker Night School, we'll be taking you through the buying, building, and installation process step-by-step."


How to Build a Computer from Scratch, Lesson 1: Hardware Basics
http://lifehacker.com/5826509/how-to-bui...are-basics

How to Build a Computer from Scratch, Lesson 2: Choose and Buy Your Parts
http://lifehacker.com/5827145/how-to-bui...your-parts

How to Build a Computer from Scratch, Lesson 3: Building the Computer
http://lifehacker.com/5827491/how-to-bui...e-computer
* I find it much easier to assemble all the parts (processor, heatsink/fan, memory) on the Motherboard BEFORE installing it in the case

How to Build a Computer from Scratch, Lesson 4: Installing Your Operating System
http://lifehacker.com/5827928/how-to-bui...ing-system

How to Build a Computer from Scratch, Lesson 5: Further Resources
http://lifehacker.com/5828286/how-to-bui...-resources

[chelsika]

Thank you for this! I ordered all of the parts for my HTPC last night and I'm really nervous about building it by myself.

[Beer40oz]

Thank you for this! I ordered all of the parts for my HTPC last night and I'm really nervous about building it by myself.

Pretty simple unless your hardware don't work...

What did you get?

[chelsika]

Pretty simple unless your hardware don't work...

What did you get?

- SILVERSTONE Grandia Series GD05B case
- Seagate Barracuda Green 2TB HDD
- ASUS AM3 AMD 760G HDMI Micro ATX AMD Motherboard
- ASUS EN210 SILENT/DI/1GD3/V2(LP) GeForce 210 1GB 64-bit DDR3 PCI Express I
- CORSAIR Builder Series CX500 V2 500W PSU
- G.SKILL Ripjaws X Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600
- AMD Athlon II X3 440 Rana 3.0GHz 3 x 512KB L2 Cache Socket AM3 95W Triple-Core Desktop Processor
- OCZ Vertex 2.5" 30GB SATA II MLC Internal Solid State Drive
- ASUS PCE-N13 Wireless Adapter


Overkill I'm sure for an HTPC, and I'm personally going to use it primarily as our HTPC when we are home, but my fiance games and likes to stream his gameplay, and we go on the road for his job so it will also serve as our portable PC.

And I know 8GB RAM isn't necessary whatsoever, but it was on sale for only $2 more than the same brand 4GB I was going to buy.

I've been watching YouTube videos of builds so I'm starting to get the gist of it.

[Driver 944]

Bonus Material -

Lifehacker Pack for Windows: Our List of the Best Windows Downloads
http://lifehacker.com/5826909/lifehacker...-downloads

Lifehacker Pack for Linux: Our List of the Best Linux Downloads
http://lifehacker.com/5827968/lifehacker...-downloads