Don't be intimidated by the inside of your computer; it's easier than it looks.
Building your own computer rather than purchasing a commercial, ready-made system is an exciting, challenging project. You don't need a degree in computer science to build your own system; in fact, you don't even need to take a single class to learn build a PC. There are a number of textbooks on the market and free online guides with all the information you need to build a computer. With a solid knowledge base, building a custom PC is easier than it sounds.
Instructions
1. Buy a computer building textbook. There is a wide variety of books with instructions on build computers on the market today. Some textbook authors may assume that you have a working knowledge of computer components, while some write as though their readers have never even a computer before. Visit your local bookstore and spend some time flipping through their selection of computer textbooks to find the right one for your skill level. If you'd rather not spend the money on a textbook, there are a number of free guides on building computers to be found online. (See Resources)
2. Learn the names of the components that make up a functioning computer system. This goes beyond the external components such as the monitor, keyboard and mouse. You should be familiar with all of the parts inside your computer case. If you happen to have a broken computer, take it apart and poke around inside. You'll find a motherboard, hard drive, optical drive, power source, central processing unit (CPU), RAM, heat sink, cooling fan and possibly a video card, sound card and/or modem. You should be able to identify all of these things as you'll need to buy most of them when you're prepared to start your build. See the link in Resources for an online dictionary of Internet and computer terms.
3. Practice putting your broken PC back together a couple of times. Take note of where everything goes; this will help you as you go through the process of building your own system. Once you feel confident about disassembling and reassembling a PC, try it with your working computer.
4. Determine your personal system requirements. All software has a list of the minimum system stats required for a computer to run the software smoothly. What are you going to be using the computer for? If you plan on using the computer for gaming, you'll need a powerful processor and video card. If you plan on using your system to store mass amounts of data, you'll need to buy one or more high-capacity hard drives. Once you've determined the types of software you'll be using, research their minimum system requirements so you can determine the most efficient and economic configuration for your computer.
5. Research the available components on the market. As you read through the PC building guides, you'll learn that not all components are compatible with each other. Fortunately, this is not as complex as it sounds and doesn't require an encyclopedic knowledge of all available components. In fact, you can even get around some incompatibilities by using a cable adapter. The biggest concern with compatibility is making sure your CPU is compatible with your motherboard, but this information will be available on your PC component dealer's website.
6. Buy the components and software required to build your computer. Keep your guide with you at all times during the build so you can refer back to it as needed. Work in a static-free environment to avoid damaging any of the components. If the air is fairly dry, you may want to use a humidifier. You can also spray the general area surrounding your workspace with a solution of water and fabric softener--15 parts water to 1 part fabric softener--before getting started.
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