Embarking on the Journey of Building My Own Computer

Never did I imagine I would find myself writing about constructing a computer. My usual crafting skills are confined to assembling LEGO sets and putting together coffee tables. However, the encouragement from Kirk Hamilton and the vibrant Kotaku community has inspired me to embark on this ambitious endeavor.

Documenting the Experience

This article marks the first installment in what I hope will be a three-part series chronicling my journey—unless unforeseen complications arise, which is my greatest concern. The thought of something going awry looms large; after all, building a computer involves handling delicate and costly components. The multitude of variables means that troubleshooting will likely consume more time than simply purchasing a pre-built machine.

The Allure of DIY

Despite these concerns, there’s an undeniable satisfaction that comes with building your own system—a feeling that surpasses merely buying one off the shelf. I’m genuinely excited about dedicating an afternoon this weekend to assemble these parts and even more thrilled at the prospect of powering it up for the first time, knowing it was crafted by my own hands. I’ve decided to name it “Ultimate Gamer ExTrAvAgAnZa 2000.”

A Conversation with Dan Ryckert

I reached out to my friend Dan Ryckert, known for his entertaining antics on GiantBomb—a site dedicated to video games and wrestling fandoms—to seek his advice:

Jason: Have you ever built a PC?

Dan: Just once, but only under someone else’s guidance who really knew their stuff. I’m not well-versed in this area.

Jason: Oh man! I’m about to dive into it!

Dan: You should definitely be nervous! A lot can go wrong.

The Components: A Crucial Step

The initial step in constructing your personal computer is selecting and acquiring all necessary components—a task that can feel daunting at first glance. Websites like PCPartsPicker present extensive lists filled with technical jargon such as “MSI B250 PC MATE.” For newcomers like me, determining which power supply or cooling unit is appropriate can be overwhelming. Thankfully, numerous online guides exist; I opted for PC Gamer’s midrange guide as my foundation but made some adjustments along the way.

Selecting Key Components

• Centrally Processing Unit (CPU): The CPU acts as your computer’s brain—vulnerable yet vital if mishandled by static electricity. Initially recommended was Intel’s Core i5-8400; however, upon ordering from Amazon, I learned it was out of stock—an unexpected twist! Fortunately, Alex Cranz from Gizmodo offered me her spare processor along with a motherboard she no longer needed: an Intel Core i7-7700K.
  
  Price: Free
• Cooling System: A CPU generates significant heat requiring effective cooling solutions. To complement my i7 processor, I purchased a Corsair H100i v2 liquid cooler—an impressive piece.
  Price: $92.53
• Mainboard: I received an Asus PRIME Z270 motherboard from Alex too! It already has the CPU installed—I hope everything functions smoothly.
  Price: Free
• I recall upgrading RAM back in 2006 while playing World of Warcraft—it dramatically improved performance when doubling memory from 1 GB to 2 GB! This time around I’ve chosen G.Skill – Ripjaws V Series 16GB (two sticks at 8GB each), anticipating similar speed enhancements.
  Price: $198.99
• A common practice among gamers is utilizing both Solid State Drives (SSD) for quick access speeds alongside traditional hard drives for ample storage space; thus I’ve acquired both Samsung’s 960 EVO SSD (500 GB) and a refurbished Seagate hard drive boasting 3 terabytes capacity.
  Prices: $245 & $70 respectively.
• Kotaku editor Stephen Totilo generously gifted me an MSI GeForce GTX 1080 Gaming X after he had some budget left over.
  
  Price: Free
  
• Following recommendations from PC Gamer ,I selected Phanteks Eclipse Series P400S case because its sleek design appeals more than flashy neon alternatives .
  
  Price :$71 .22

• Building PCs requires understanding watts ,amps etc .While still learning ,I purchased Corsair CS Series CS650M semi-modular power supply rated at650 watts .
  
  Price :$97 .98

• < Strong >Operating System :Why does Windows10 cost so much ? Goodness !< Br />
  Price :$119 .75

• < Strong >Monitor :Since most gaming will occur via television rather than investing heavily into high-end monitors ,I opted instead ASUS24-inch144Hz Full HDFreeSync Gaming Monitor(1080P).< Br />
  Price:$265 .

• < Strong >Mouse :Kirk suggested LogitechG502 Proteus Spectrum RGB TunableGaming Mouse ; how could I refuse ?< Br />
  Price:$54 .

• < strong.Keyboard:< / strong>If primarily using controller while gaming through TV then basic keyboard suffices ; hence wentwithAmazonBasics WiredKeyboard dueits positive reviews .
  Price:$14.

  Final Specs:
  View Here!

  Final Cost Breakdown:
  Total expenditure stands at approximately $1259 .99 —and that’s considering free components received ! This hobby certainly doesn’t come cheap!

  This weekend marks when I’ll finally assemble everything together —stay tuned!