How To Build a Computer: A Beginner's Guide from Udemy

What's inside

Learning objectives

Build your first computer from scratch!
Gain a basic knowledge of pc components and how they interact!

Learn how to shop for components that have a high dollar-to-performance ratio!

Build your first computer from scratch!
Gain a basic knowledge of pc components and how they interact!
Learn how to shop for components that have a high dollar-to-performance ratio!

Syllabus

Welcome to "How to Build a Computer: A Beginner's Guide" !

In this video, we'll talk about the components we'll be using in our first system such as the Power Supply, CPU, RAM, Storage Devices, and Motherboard. We'll discuss some things to watch out for when building a system.

Test your knowledge on basic computer component terminology.

Learn some tips and tricks for shopping for your computer components.

In this video, we'll take a look at Newegg, the primo website for computer component shopping.

In this video we'll be looking at a few resources you can use to figure out if certain computer parts are compatible with each other, and also whether or not the performance you receive is worth their pricing.

Test your knowledge on online resources, and shopping smart for computer components.

In this video, we'll go through 7 different types of systems and analyze what components should have increased performance in each system.

Test your knowledge about choosing components based on performance requirements.

In this video we'll talk about the dangers of paying too little for computer components.

Test your knowledge on price shopping for computer components.

In this video, we'll go through the components we chose for our first build.

Learn about all the components of a PC from the ground up.

In this video we'll take a look at all of the components of a motherboard, how to identify them, and what each component does.

In this video we'll take a final look at the components of a motherboard, using pictures of the motherboard rather than diagrams.

Test your knowledge of motherboard anatomy.

In this video, we'll take a look at how to install a CPU into a motherboard.

Test your knowledge of installing CPUs.

In this video we'll look at how to install a CPU heatsink and fan on a CPU.

Test your knowledge of installing CPU heatsinks and fans.

In this video, we'll go through the process of installing RAM into a motherboard.

Test your knowledge of installing RAM.

In this video, we'll go through the process of installing a power supply into a computer case.

Test your knowledge of installing power supplies.

In this video we'll start the process of installing our motherboard, starting with the back IO plate, and copper standoffs.

In this video, we'll complete the installation of the motherboard by connecting up power.

Test your knowledge of installing motherboards.

In this video, we'll go through the process of installing our DVD drive and our SSD drive.

Test your knowledge of installing drives.

Here we'll offer some suggestions on what you can do if your completed build doesn't start!

Learn how to install Windows, get the latest drivers, update Windows and install common software with ease.

In this video, we'll start the process of installing Windows 7 and drivers for your hardware.

In this video we'll finish installing drivers for our hardware. We'll also take a look at Windows Updates, and how to easily install commonly downloaded software with just one click.

We'll finish up our software installation in this video by showing how to keep your system clean and mean as you use it for the next few years!

Test your knowledge of installing Windows.

This section is for my students! Any questions or requests for more information will be answered here in video format.

Thank you for taking my course! This is our final video for the first installment of this series. Any new Q & A videos will appear in this section. Be sure to watch this video to receive a special students-only coupon code for all my other courses!

Students will see how a high performance gaming pc is built from scratch. From hardware, to software to overclocking!

In this video, we take a quick look at the parts list for our gaming PC build, as well as things we'll need to put the system together. Note: Don't forget a USB thumb stick. You'll need one with at least 4GB of space.

In this video, we go over all of the purchased parts for our build before we open the boxes.

In this video, we take a look at all of the different parts and areas of the case for our build.

In this video, we go over all of the cables that came with the case, and what their purposes are.

In this video, we go over the side and top drive cages.

In this video, we go over what's included in the motherboard box.

In this video, we take a detailed look at all of the components included on the motherboard.

In this video, we look at the liquid cooling system, from radiator to fans to cooling block.

In this video, we go over the power supply, and all of the cables supplied.

In this video, we start building the PC by preparing the case, and removing one of the fans because we'll be installing it somewhere else in the case.

In this video, we install the back panel into the case, where the motherboard ports will stick out of.

In this video, we go over the standoffs in the case, and be sure they line up with the motherboard mounting holes.

In this video, we get our motherboard installed into the case.

In this video, we start connecting some of the case cables to the motherboard.

In this video, we continue connecting the rest of the case cables to the motherboard.

In this video, we install the CPU into the motherboard.

In this video, we install the M.2 SSD into the motherboard's primary M.2 SSD slot.

In this video, we install our 4 sticks of RAM to the motherboard, totaling 64GB.

In this video, we prep the brackets where our SSD and Spindle HDD will go.

In this video, we install the 1TB SSD and the 8TB HDD.

In this video, we prepare both the case and the cooling radiator by installing the cooling fans.

In this video, we tie up the cables nicely to the liquid cooling unit.

In this video, we complete the installation of the liquid cooler into the case.

In this video, we install the power supply into the case.

In this video, we connect the power cables from our power supply to the various devices in the case.

In this video, we try to wrangle up our cables and make the case look neat.

In this video, we install our massive 1080 video card.

In this video, we install the removed fan into the side panel.

In this video, we attempt to boot our rig, and troubleshoot a few issues.

In this video, we hop into our BIOS and go over the first two tabs in the BIOS, M.I.T. and System Info

In this video, we continue diving into the BIOS features by looking at the Peripherals and Chipset tabs.

In this video, we wrap up our BIOS examination by looking at power management features, and remaining miscellaneous items.

In this video, we download the Windows 10 media to a bootable USB stick.

In this video, we install Windows 10 via USB.

In this video, we hop onto Windows Update and download all of the updates available to us.

In this video, we get our SSD and spindle hard drive formatted so they show up as usable in Windows.

In this video, we'll quickly set our default browser to Chrome.

In this video, we download and install the video drivers for our video card from Nvidia.

In this video, we go over quickly how to use device manager to find devices that need drivers installed.

In this video, we install the liquid cooling radiator to the top of the case, and the cooling block to the CPU.

In this video, we install the Killer networking drivers software and go over its features.

In this video, we update the Intel networking drivers by downloading the drivers directly from Intel's website.

In this video, we update the chipset drivers from Intel.

In this video we install the primary SATA controller drivers.

In this video, we install the secondary ASMedia SATA controller drivers.

In this video, we install the Creative audio drivers and go over the software features.

In this video, we install the Intel Management Engine Interface software.

In this video, we install the Thunderbolt interface drivers.

In this video, we go over how to enable the onboard video card in the BIOS and how to install the drivers for the card.

In this video, we'll update the BIOS software and go over some of the new features.

In this video, we install the first of many motherboard utilities supplied by Gigabyte. OSD, Color, BIOS, Cloud and Easytune.

In this video, we continue to install our motherboard utilities. EZRaid, Fastboot, Charge, PPM, SIV, Smart Backup, Keyboard, Timelock, USB Block

In this video, we continue to install our motherboard utilities. VTuner, CPU-Z, Firmware Updater, Autogreen, Thunderbolt Update, MegaChips

In this video, we complete our installation of various motherboard utilities. Intel Extreme Tuning.

With our system complete, we now start setting up our system for some benchmark tests by installing 3DMark.

In this video, we get our baseline values for benchmarking with 3DMark.

In this video, we'll look at how to overclock the CPU via the BIOS, and go over the benchmark results.

In this video, we go over Gigabyte's video card overclocking software and examine the benchmark results.

In this video, we finally get to playtest some games on our new rig! Fallout, World of Warcraft, and Planet Coaster are covered here.

In this video, we complete our gameplay framerate testing with Overwatch.

In this video, we talk about how to stop things from starting from startup by editing the registry.

In this video, we look at a long-time favorite utility called CCleaner to assist in keeping our system clean.

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, and possible dealbreakers

Teaches learners how to build a computer from scratch, which is a fundamental skill in computer science

Develops learners' knowledge of PC components and how they interact, which is core for understanding computer systems

Teaches learners how to make smart choices when purchasing computer components, which can help them save money and get the most out of their investment

Provides learners with hands-on experience building a computer, which is essential for developing practical skills

Covers a wide range of topics, from basic computer components to advanced topics like overclocking, which makes it suitable for learners with varying levels of experience

Taught by Nathan Cope, who has extensive experience in computer hardware and software development, which ensures the quality and accuracy of the course content

Provides learners with ongoing support through video Q&A, which can help them troubleshoot and clarify concepts as they progress through the course

Highly relevant to learners interested in computer science, IT, or anyone who wants to build their own computer

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in How To Build a Computer: A Beginner's Guide with these activities:

Disassemble and reassemble an old PC

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Gain hands-on experience by disassembling and reassembling an actual PC to solidify your understanding of the components and their interactions.

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Find an old or used PC that you can disassemble.
Carefully disassemble the PC, taking note of the location and orientation of each component.
Reassemble the PC, ensuring that all components are properly connected and secured.

Watch YouTube tutorials on PC assembly

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Supplement your course learning with visual demonstrations to reinforce your understanding of the assembly process.

Browse courses on PC Building

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Search for YouTube tutorials on PC assembly.
Watch tutorials that cover the specific components and steps involved in assembling a PC.
Follow along with the tutorials to practice and reinforce the assembly process.

Join a PC enthusiast forum

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Connect with other PC enthusiasts and discuss PC assembly topics to exchange knowledge and gain different perspectives.

Browse courses on PC Building

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Find and join a reputable PC enthusiast forum.
Introduce yourself and ask questions about PC assembly.
Participate in discussions and share your own experiences.

Four other activities

Expand to see all activities and additional details

Show all seven activities

Attend a PC building workshop

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Gain hands-on experience and guidance from experts by attending a PC building workshop.

Browse courses on PC Building

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Find and register for a PC building workshop.
Attend the workshop and follow the instructions of the instructors.
Ask questions and actively participate in the workshop.

Create a PC assembly guide

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Solidify your knowledge and enhance your communication skills by creating a comprehensive guide on PC assembly.

Browse courses on PC Building

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Gather information and resources on PC assembly.
Organize the information into a logical structure.
Write clear and concise instructions for each step of the assembly process.
Include helpful tips and troubleshooting advice.

Build a custom PC from scratch

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Put your knowledge into practice by assembling a custom PC from scratch to experience the entire process and gain a deeper understanding of the components and their functions.

Browse courses on PC Building

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Research and select the components for your custom PC.
Purchase the components and assemble the PC.
Install the operating system and necessary drivers.
Configure and optimize the PC for your specific needs.

Contribute to an open-source PC assembly project

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Gain practical experience and contribute to the community by participating in an open-source PC assembly project.

Browse courses on PC Building

Show steps

Find a reputable open-source PC assembly project.
Join the project and read the documentation.
Identify areas where you can contribute your skills.
Make contributions to the project.

Career center

Learners who complete How To Build a Computer: A Beginner's Guide will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Computer Systems Analyst

Computer Systems Analysts design, develop, and implement computer systems. They work with clients to understand their business needs and then design and build systems that meet those needs. This course can help you build a foundation in computer systems and provide you with the skills you need to design and implement computer systems. You will learn about the different types of computer systems, how they work, and how to troubleshoot system problems.

See salaries and explore the career path for Computer Systems Analyst

Computer Hardware Engineer

Computer Hardware Engineers design, develop, and test computer hardware components such as processors, motherboards, and graphics cards. This course can help you build a foundation in computer hardware and provide you with the skills you need to design and build your own computers. You will learn about the different types of computer hardware components, how they work together, and how to troubleshoot hardware problems.

See salaries and explore the career path for Computer Hardware Engineer

Computer Network Architect

Computer Network Architects design, implement, and maintain computer networks. They work with clients to understand their business needs and then design and build networks that meet those needs. This course can help you build a foundation in computer networking and provide you with the skills you need to design and implement computer networks. You will learn about the different types of computer networks, how they work, and how to troubleshoot network problems.

See salaries and explore the career path for Computer Network Architect

Computer Repair Technician

Computer Repair Technicians install, maintain, and repair computers. They work with clients to diagnose and fix computer problems. This course can help you build a foundation in computer repair and provide you with the skills you need to install, maintain, and repair computers. You will learn about the different types of computer hardware and software, how they work, and how to troubleshoot computer problems.

See salaries and explore the career path for Computer Repair Technician

Computer Support Specialist

Computer Support Specialists provide technical support to computer users. They help users troubleshoot problems with their computers and software. This course can help you build a foundation in computer support and provide you with the skills you need to provide technical support to computer users. You will learn about the different types of computer hardware and software, how they work, and how to troubleshoot computer problems.

See salaries and explore the career path for Computer Support Specialist

Computer Programmer

Computer Programmers write and maintain computer programs. They work with clients to understand their needs and then write programs that meet those needs. This course can help you build a foundation in computer programming and provide you with the skills you need to write and maintain computer programs. You will learn about the different types of programming languages, how they work, and how to troubleshoot programming problems.

See salaries and explore the career path for Computer Programmer

Systems Administrator

Systems Administrators design, implement, and maintain computer systems. They work with clients to understand their business needs and then design and build systems that meet those needs. This course can help you build a foundation in systems administration and provide you with the skills you need to design and implement computer systems. You will learn about the different types of computer systems, how they work, and how to troubleshoot system problems.

See salaries and explore the career path for Systems Administrator

Database Administrator

Database Administrators design, implement, and maintain databases. They work with clients to understand their business needs and then design and build databases that meet those needs. This course can help you build a foundation in database administration and provide you with the skills you need to design and implement databases. You will learn about the different types of databases, how they work, and how to troubleshoot database problems.

See salaries and explore the career path for Database Administrator

Network Administrator

Network Administrators design, implement, and maintain computer networks. They work with clients to understand their business needs and then design and build networks that meet those needs. This course can help you build a foundation in network administration and provide you with the skills you need to design and implement computer networks. You will learn about the different types of computer networks, how they work, and how to troubleshoot network problems.

See salaries and explore the career path for Network Administrator

Information Security Analyst

Information Security Analysts protect computer systems and networks from unauthorized access, use, disclosure, disruption, modification, or destruction. This course can help you build a foundation in information security and provide you with the skills you need to protect computer systems and networks. You will learn about the different types of information security threats, how they work, and how to mitigate them.

See salaries and explore the career path for Information Security Analyst

Data Analyst

Data Analysts collect, analyze, and interpret data to help businesses make better decisions. This course can help you build a foundation in data analysis and provide you with the skills you need to collect, analyze, and interpret data. You will learn about the different types of data analysis techniques, how they work, and how to use them to solve business problems.

See salaries and explore the career path for Data Analyst

Technical Writer

Technical Writers write and edit technical documentation, such as user manuals, white papers, and technical reports. This course can help you build a foundation in technical writing and provide you with the skills you need to write and edit technical documentation. You will learn about the different types of technical documentation, how they are written, and how to edit them.

See salaries and explore the career path for Technical Writer

Web Developer

Web Developers design and develop websites. They work with clients to understand their business needs and then design and build websites that meet those needs. This course can help you build a foundation in web development and provide you with the skills you need to design and develop websites. You will learn about the different types of web development technologies, how they work, and how to use them to build websites.

See salaries and explore the career path for Web Developer

Quality Assurance Analyst

Quality Assurance Analysts test and evaluate computer software to ensure that it meets quality standards. This course can help you build a foundation in quality assurance and provide you with the skills you need to test and evaluate computer software. You will learn about the different types of quality assurance testing, how they are conducted, and how to write quality assurance reports.

See salaries and explore the career path for Quality Assurance Analyst

Computer and Information Research Scientist

Computer and Information Research Scientists conduct research on computer science and information technology. They develop new theories and technologies that improve the way we use computers and information. This course may be useful to you if you are interested in a career in computer and information research. You will learn about the different types of computer science and information technology research, how it is conducted, and how to publish your findings.

See salaries and explore the career path for Computer and Information Research Scientist