Initial Decisions

• Step By Step Contents
  • Step 1 - Initial Decisions
  • Step 2 - Purchase Computer Components
  • Step 3 - Gather Your Tools
  • Step 4 - Computer Case Preparation
  • Step 5 - Getting To Know Computer Motherboards
  • Step 6 - Installing The CPU
  • Step 7 - System Memory
  • Step 8 - Motherboard Installation
  • Step 9 - Power Supply Installation
  • Step 10 - Computer Wiring
  • Step 11 - Hard Drive Installation
  • Step 12 - DVD Drive Installation
  • Step 13 - Graphics And Peripheral Cards
  • Step 14 - Initial Bootup
    • Install Windows XP
    • Install Windows Vista
  • Step 16 - Finalize Install
  • Step 17 - Troubleshooting

Before purchasing anything for your new computer, you’ll need to make some initial decisions.  These will determine the components you may need, and how much you will have to spend to get your desired results.

What are you planning to do with your computer?

Are you a gamer?  Small business owner? Do you do a lot of video editing?  These are just a few of the uses for your new computer.  What you plan to do with your computer will in large part determine how much you will need to spend on it. Gaming computers are going to be the most expensive.  If you want to play today’s games at the highest resolutions with smooth game play, you will need a machine that can handle high end graphics, and has the processing power to keep up. 

Do you do a lot of video editing?  This type of machine can go either way.  If you are a professional video editor, or have a side business, you will most likely want a better machine than if you simply do it at home for your personal use.  The decision is yours.

Are you simply looking for a machine to do some basic word processing, maybe some home finances, or read your email and surf the web?  Then we can get a pretty inexpensive computer.

What is the budget for your new computer?

Another initial decision is how much money you want to spend.  Do you only want to spend $300?  Is the sky the limit?  The amount of money that you want to budget for the computer will in part determine what you can do with the computer.  If you want to play the latest games, $300 just won’t do that.  If you only want to do some home finances, and web surfing, there really is no need to spend $3000 on your computer. 

Where are you planning to get the components? Where you get your components will have an effect on the cost of your computer.  There will be a big price difference between going to your local Best Buy, and buying online from a site like Newegg.  Buying online will save you a lot of money, but you have to plan ahead a bit.  The best way to save money online is to plan out all the parts you are going to need, and then get them all at once.  This will save you a ton on shipping costs, and a lot of times, if you place an order over a certain dollar amount, shipping will even be free.

Once you have made these initial decisions, move on to the next step.

Step Two – Purchasing Computer Parts

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