Have you ever wondered how hard it is to “build” your own computer? I’ve been told it’s not all that difficult. However, you do have to know what the different parts are and how they are described and connect to each other.
A “normal” computer has around fourteen basic parts:
1. A case
2. Power Supply
3. Motherboard
4. Processor chip
5. Memory (RAM)
6. Graphics card
7. Sound card
8. Hard-disk drive
9. Keyboard
10. Mouse
11. CD/DVD drive
12. Monitor
13. Operating system (eg, Windows XP)
14. Cooling fan(s)
Many computer cases come with a PSU (Power Supply Unit). A good size is 350 Watts.
Many motherboards come with graphics and sound cards already installed on them so if you want to save some money, you can opt for one of those. (Separate cards are usually better, but cost more.)
Processor chips fall into two main camps these days: Intel chips or AMD. (The type of motherboatd you have dictates which one you can install.)
There are many kinds of memory chips. Again, you motherboard type determines which ones you can use.
Hard-disks come in two varieities. Older IDE models or the newer SATA ones (depends on your motherboard). And two main speeds: slower ones that spin at 5400 times per minute, or faster ones (7200 times per minute).
As you can see, choosing the right motherboard is one of the most important things! That choice will determine what processor, memory and hard-disks you can use.
If you’ve ever tinkered with anything inside your computer, like added a sound card, for example, and can use an ordinary Philips screw-driver, you can probably build-up a whole system for yourself. Of course, there is some extra learning involved. In the end, (and if it works), you’ll have a sense of personal pride in your achievement - as well as a lot more knowledge of computers.
Finding detailed instructions of how to go about this is not hard on the internet. Just type something like “building computers” into your favourite search engine. Here’s just one:
http://www.build-your-own-computers.com/
There’s lots of help available.
Even I have built a simple computer and I can tell you it was a rather big learning curve, (for me). And I have to admit that it didn’t work properly the first time I turned it on. That’s when my husband had to figure out where I’d gone wrong. (He’s built many computers already, including the one I’m using right now.) 
So you see…husbands are not necessarily always useless.
Don’t worry…be happy (and brave).
