By now, I’m sure many readers know the joy of buying your own computer in separate parts, instead of buying a complete one from, say, Game or Incredible Connection. You also save some money. Do you want to save yourself more money, and teach yourself a few things in the process? Put it together yourself!

Step 1: The motherboard

Remember to always keep anything with a circuit board on the static-free bags your parts came in. This ensures you won’t end up with fried components, as static electricity can do a lot of harm (and will reduce you to tears when your GTX260 doesn’t work.

Slot the RAM in first; making sure the groove in the middle matches the one on the motherboard.

The processor fits in the ZIF (Zero Insertion Force) socket on the motherboard. Lift up the lever and the cover and match the processor to the grooves on the socket. Stick on a little thermal grease, about the size of a pea.

As for the fan, well… I hate these things. The stock ones do the job well, but they’re a bugger to get in. Make sure the plastic pins are aligned with the holes around the ZIF socket, push those in first, then push the black pins through and twist the pins in the direction indicated by the arrows.