Build Your Own Computer - STEP 1

As you are already this using a pc, then you already own a computer. If you are anxious to know what makes a computer run, then please go ahead, open up the computer case and take a look what parts make up the computer?

Dont be confused with all the wires and cards and things. I will explain each parts which make up the pc. When you know these, it will be rather easy.

In this step 1, we will first see the most important part,
THE MOTHERBOARD.

The photograph which is given below is of a motherboard. I have colored it all over so you can easily see the different parts of the motherboard which I will discuss below.

This motherboard has been removed of all of its parts and nothing has been installed on it. Each computer has one motherboard which is very similar to this. If you have already opened the computer case, you might have seen a similar motherboard but you might not see it entirely. There may be many things installed on it and some wires and cables and too many other things inside. You may move the wires a little to see the motherboard, but don't remove it altogether, because you might remove a card, make it loose, or you might disconnect some part accidentally.

Now let us look at the different parts of the motherboard.

CPU (Central Processing Unit) and its Heatsink

Above in the red square you see the place where the CPU and the heat sink reside. The heat sink is covering the tiny squares so you will not be able to see the white dots for the CPU. On top of the heat sink is a unit which absorbs all of the heat of the CPU. It is made up of heat conducive metal or copper. It also has an 8mm fan attached to its top. This keeps the CPU very cool when it is running. You know when the CPU is running the temperature is anywhere between 60 - 120 degrees Fahrenheit. If not for the heatsink and the cpu fan it would burn the motherboard and the cpu.

RAM

The green rectangle square marked with number 2 is the place the memory or RAM lives. There are different types of Memory like DDR Ram and with different capacity like 256mb, 512mb, 1gb and more.

Floppy and IDE-Device Connectors

The yellow rectangle square is where the IDE devices fit. These are devices like your hard disk, floppy disks and CD-ROM, DVD-ROM or DVD-Writer. Below I have given you a picture of the IDE cable connector, which connects to the motherboard and the IDE devices.

PCI-Express Slots

PCI Express Slots are place (number 4 - dark blue) where the PCI graphics card sit. The graphics card is needed to display high end graphics like games, designing softwares etc. Normally your motherboard includes a built-in display graphics chip. But if you need more power and especially if you are using a graphics software or playing 3D and animation games then you definitely need a PCI graphics card. Below is a picture of the PCI graphics card.

PCI Slots

The light blue rectangle (number 5) is the place where other PCI devices resides. You can insert here a sound card, a LAN or network card or even a Modem Card. There are other various PCI cards available in the market as per your needs.

Rear Connection Panel

The Black rectangle (number 6) is the interface where you connect all your input and output devices like speakers, mouse, keyboard, lan cables, monitor and even your external USB devices which you may be having.

Power Sources

The Brown space (number 7) is the place to connect your main power from the SMPS.

So, now here are the seven main parts of the motherboard. There are other parts but these are the most important. In later steps, when we will go into detail about the process of installing hardware parts, we will know these parts.

Now are you ready to go to step 2? Here we go!