Learn to Build a Computer (PC) in 2024 - all types!
- Description
- Curriculum
- FAQ
- Reviews
Learn how to build your own computer, whether it’s your dream gaming rig, a work from home PC or a budget casual build with my online course.
Learn from a seasoned PC builder, hands-on learning, budget friendly tips, no experience needed.
This course will take you from complete novice to ‘know it all’ in the world of desktop computer hardware.
Learn valuable skills that will not only allow you to build a PC, but might help you land a job in the tech world!
What you’ll learn:
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The fundamentals of computer hardware, what each component is and what it does
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How to set a budget for a new build
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How to allocate that budget to tailor a build to suit you (gamer, home worker, casual user, engineer)
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Know how to shop for different components by understanding markets and specifications and what they mean
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Full computer assembly, step-by-step over the shoulder lessons where you watch me build a mid-range gaming PC
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Know how to install an operating system on a newly built PC (no licence key required)
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The basics of debugging build issues
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Learn how to benchmark and burn-in test a new build to ensure it’s stable and will work when put under load.
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1
Understanding PC ComponentsLearn the basics of computer technology by going through the different components of a computer and understanding what each of them does.
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2
Planning Your PC Build Budget
How to set and track a PC build budget using a useful template spreadsheet and the benefits of upfront spending.
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3
Tailoring Tech - How to Build for Different Users
Learn how to tailor a build budget and component selection for different users, budget users, gamers, workers etc.
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4
Used vs New Components - Can you save money buying used parts? Should you?
Can you save money purchasing used computer components? If you can, which ones should you buy and which should you stay away from?
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5
Choosing a CPU (Central Processing Unit)
Understanding the CPU market, CPU specs and product listings and how to choose a CPU for specific use cases.
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6
Choosing a cooling solution - Air (AIO) or Water?
Do you need a cooling solution? How to choose between air and AIO coolers. How to setup case cooling for the best results and achieve positive case pressure.
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7
Choosing memory (RAM) - How much is enough?
Understanding RAM (DRAM) memory listings, the memory market, compatability and how to choose RAM for your build. How much do you really need?
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8
Choosing a motherboard - Model ranges and specs
Learn all about motherboards, the market and manufacturers, sockets, sizes and specs. Which model should you choose?
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9
Choosing a GPU (Graphics Card) - Which chipset should you pick? ($200 or $1500)
Understanding the GPU market and GPU specs. How do you choose which GPU you need? Do you even need one?
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10
Choosing internal storage - SSD/M.2 or HDD? And how much do you need? RAID?
M.2, SSD or HDD? Should you setup a RAID array? How much storage do you need?
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11
Choosing a power supply (PSU) - How many watts do I need? What's 80 Plus?
Learn about power supplies and understand the recommended specs and wattage you need to correctly power a build.
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12
Choosing a computer case - Case sizes, types and understanding cable routing.
Computer cases come in different sizes and have different features. Learn to choose between them.
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13
Checklist - Questions to answer before you purchase any component!A checklist of questions to ask yourself before purchasing any component for your build.
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14
Setting up your build workspace
What sort of workspace do you need to build a computer. How much room and where should you work?
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15
What do you need to assemble a computer? (Tools and other useful things...)
The essentials you must have before attempting to assemble any computer components.
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16
ESD - Electrostatic Discharge, how to (and should you?) protect your components
ESD protection, learn about ESD, what it is and whether you need to protect your computer components from it and how you can do this cheaply and easily whilst building.
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17
Isopropanol/Isopropyl alcohol (Optional)
What is this stuff and why might you need some....
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18
5mm socket (Optional)
You might need a 5mm socket, but why?
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19
Cable ties (Optional)
Zip/cable ties, useful for tidying up the build cabling.
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20
Workspace setup checklist
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21
Build Steps - An overview of the build steps
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22
Inserting the CPU into the motherboard (Installing the CPU)
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23
Meet our CPU cooler (AIO water cooler)
We are using an AIO (All-In-One) water cooler for our build. Let's take a closer look at it.
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24
Installing the cooler CPU mount backplate (For aftermarket coolers only)
If your cooler has a backplate and your case doesn't allow access to the back of the CPU area when the board is mounted, you need to install the cooler backplate first.
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25
Meet the computer case - Overview and familiarization
Meet our computer case and be introduced to it's features, a mid tower ATX gaming case from Kolink.
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26
Adjusting motherboard stand-offs (If you need to)
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27
Install Motherboard - Mounting the motherboard into the case
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28
Meet a modular power supply unit (PSU)
Meet a modular PSU.
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29
Install the PSU into the case
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30
Meet our RAM (DDR4) and some DDR5 and see the differences
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31
Installing memory (DDR RAM)
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32
Installing M.2 NVMe SSD drives into the case
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33
Installing 2.5" SSD's into the case
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34
Installing 5.25" HDD's into the case
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35
Removing thermal paste (should you need to)
If your cooler doesn't have thermal paste applied, or you need to re-apply it, watch me clean a CPU and cooler mount ready for re-application.
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36
AIR Cooler - Intel stock AIR cooler installation
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37
AIO Cooler - Positioning
Before installing an AIO cooler, take some time to think about how you'll position the radiator and pipes for maximum airflow and aesthetics.
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38
AIO Cooler - Mounting the radiator
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39
AIO Cooler - Applying thermal paste and attaching the pump head to the CPU
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40
AIO Cooler - Why we haven't installed the radiator fans yet
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41
Motherboard - Connecting to power
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42
AIO Cooler - Installing the radiator fans
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43
Connecting fans to power and LED connections on the motherboard
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44
Case front panel (control panel) connections to the motherboard
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45
Storage Drives - power and data (SATA) connections
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46
GPU - Installing a GPU (Graphics Card)
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47
GPU - Connecting power and setting the support bracket
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48
Fire it up! First power on expectations and troubleshooting
What happens and what should you expect when you first turn on your new build?
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49
BIOS - Tweaking the default FAN curves for silent running
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50
Windows - Creating installation media (and error 0x8007007B)
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51
Windows - Installation (No licence necessary)
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52
WIndows - Installation - Adding Wi-Fi drivers
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53
Installing manufacturer hardware drivers using manufacturer utility (Option 1)
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54
Installing manufacturer hardware drivers manually (Option 2)
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55
Stress testing for any system using AIDA64
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56
Stress testing for a gaming system using 3DMark
