The Complete Build Your Own PC Manual
Preparing the Case
Choosing a case used to be almost an afterthought when building a custom PC. One grey box was much the same as another grey box. Thankfully the days of grey boxes are well and truly over and our choice of PC case ranges from tiny media boxes designed to go next to a TV, to bespoke glass towers aimed at those who want to show off their perfectly co-ordinated components. However, whichever case you choose, some preparation is needed before beginning your build.
2 min |
January 2021
The Complete Build Your Own PC Manual
Upgrading to Windows 10 from Windows 7 or 8.1
If you have an existing copy of Windows 7 or 8.1 on disc, not being used on another active PC, you can use this for the initial install of Windows and then upgrade to Windows 10 afterwards or at a later date. You have missed the deadline for the free upgrade to 10 but it is quite likely that Microsoft will reopen that offer, or run similar discounted offers, for their new OS in the near future. This guide assumes you are taking this route to Windows 10, rather than a fresh install.
6 min |
January 2021
The Complete Build Your Own PC Manual
Need More Power?
The role of a PC power supply unit is to convert the AC electric power that comes from the mains to the DC power that the computer requires. However, it can do much more than that. A good quality power supply can make your system more efficient, stable and reliable. The power supply is often the first component to fail in an older system, so making sure you understand the full role of the PSU in your build is very important.
5 min |
January 2021
The Complete Build Your Own PC Manual
Navigating Your Motherboard
We will be referring to specific parts of the motherboard in detail as we work our way through the build but for now it is a good idea to familiarise yourself with how a standard motherboard is laid out, where the sockets and ports will be, and what they look like. There will be some slight variations in location of sockets and features between different motherboards but most will follow this general layout pattern.
6 min |
January 2021
The Complete Build Your Own PC Manual
Final Checks and First Boot
If you have followed all of the build steps thus far, you should now be at the point where the first boot up is looming. Before you do, it is worth going back and checking that everything is ready, all cables are connected and everything is looking good. First boot doesn’t mean that you can’t go back and change things later but you can avoid problems by doing a few simple checks.
5 min |
January 2021
The Complete Build Your Own PC Manual
Fitting the Memory Modules
The DIMM’s, or Dual In-line Memory Modules, are modules that contain several RAM or SDRAM chips on a small circuit board. Most motherboards will have multiple memory module sockets, usually arranged in pairs. When you buy memory modules, they are usually sold as a matched pair; this ensures that they have the same latency, or in other words the same memory reaction time.
2 min |
January 2021
The Complete Build Your Own PC Manual
Choosing a Processor
The CPU (Central Processing Unit) of your computer is likely to be the most expensive single component, especially if you are trying to future-proof your build as much as possible. When it comes to choosing a processor, faster and newer is almost always better. However, does the average PC builder really need a 4GHz Core i7? Does having a faster CPU always mean having a faster computer overall? What is hyper-threading? Read on to find the answers to these questions and many more.
6 min |
January 2021
The Complete Build Your Own PC Manual
Choosing a PC Case
Although they may not have seen the sort of massive changes that most other PC components have, the choice of case for your build is now much wider than it was just a few years ago. From simple black boxes, to LED-lit windowed showcases, there is a case style out there for everyone. However, choosing a case should be about more than just looks. Quality and features vary greatly and getting this key component right can mean the difference between a good and a great first build.
6 min |
January 2021
The Complete Build Your Own PC Manual
Fitting The Motherboard Into The Case
If you have been following the steps of the build so far, you should now be in a position to fit the motherboard, along with the fitted CPU, cooler and RAM, into your prepared case. This not only involves screwing the board into place but also correctly connecting all the case controls like the power switch, HDD LED, front USB ports etc.. Your motherboard will also have been supplied with a back plate.
4 min |
January 2021
Computer Music
cm/the 6 best… Lo-fi Plugins
Get the vibe and nostalgia behind lo-fi hip-hop, or just add some crust to purely digital projects with these six devices
2 min |
February 2021
Computer Music
Valhalla DSP PC MAC Supermassive £Free
Every now and then a freebie comes along that needs special mention, and this reverb/delay is one such example
4 min |
February 2021
Computer Music
Steinberg Cubase 11 £499 PC MAC
Cubase updates typically combine new features, expanded content and tweaks. Does v11 of this flagship DAW do enough to tempt us? Let’s see…
10+ min |
February 2021
Computer Music
cm Producer Masterclass PHILTH
Philth – aka London DnB polymath Phil Robinson – takes us into the dark world of techstep, via his personal studio, with this in-depth tutorial and track breakdown
10+ min |
February 2021
Computer Music
Accusonus ERA 5 Bundle Pro $39/month, $299.88/year, $999 forever PC MAC
When you’re fixing up compromised audio you want a toolset that’s quick and reliable. This updated package could well be the answer
4 min |
February 2021
Computer Music
CLAUDE VONSTROKE
The California-based dance powerhouse and Dirtybird label boss shares a wealth of business, gear and life advice – including his patented (or should be) “find the f*** you moment” songwriting approach. We’ll let him explain…
9 min |
February 2021
Computer Music
15 questions with… KELLY LEE OWENS
The producer behind acclaimed album Inner Song talks sonic warmth, love/hate MIDI relationships and calming the heck down with our gear obsessions
5 min |
February 2021
Computer Music
cm/diary
Musicianship is more than just gear (we were shocked too!). For a new column, we asked one of our favourite new musicians to talk the human side of computer music
2 min |
February 2021
Computer Music
> Free software PC MAC SYNTRONIK OXa
The full version of IK Multimedia’s Oberheim OB-X emulation is yours for free with this issue, so you might as well jump onboard
10 min |
February 2021
Computer Music
15 Questions With… Mild Minds
Benjamin David’s new LP? As the kids now say: “mood.” It’s also called MOOD. And it all started with eJay and a dream…
10+ min |
February 2021
Linux Format
Partitioning disks from the command line
Formatting and partitioning hard disk isn’t the exclusive domain of graphical tools. Shashank Sharma reveals the utilities that can make space for Linux.
6 min |
January 2021
Linux Format
Top 10 Ubuntu tips
Nick Peers reveals the answers to some of the web’s most-searched questions about Ubuntu to deliver 10 unmissable tips.
7 min |
January 2021
Linux Format
Programming a Turing Machine
It was the computer that started it all, albeit in theory. Mike Bedford shows you how to program a Turing Machine and put it through its paces.
10+ min |
January 2021
Linux Format
Run the classic Amstrad CPC 464
Les Pounder goes back to the 80s, when Alan Sugar hired more people than he fired and computers came built inside the keyboards. Madness!
10+ min |
January 2021
Linux Format
Ubuntu 20.10
The Groovy Gorilla is out. Jonni Bidwell wonders if he might finally meet his spirit animal, or if he’ll be maimed.
6 min |
January 2021
Linux Format
Emulation-free Amiga AROS
Fed up with modern indulgence and bulky nonsense, John Knight tries PC computing the Amiga way, with the AROS operating system.
10+ min |
January 2021
Linux Format
LINUX ON THE GO
Jonni Bidwell’s desktop PC exploded, but fret not – he’s found that Linux works great on laptops. And phones. And Chromebooks.
10+ min |
January 2021
Linux Format
PACKAGE DELIVERY
Add your own Linux software to the ecosystem. Michael Reed looks at what it takes to become a package maintainer.
10+ min |
January 2021
MacFormat UK
Razer Productivity Suite
A decent office/gaming setup with some limitations
2 min |
January 2021
Linux Format
AMD Ryzen 9 5900X
The Zen 3 architecture packing Ryzen 9 5900X moves AMD out of Intel’s shadow to take centre stage. Jarred Wilton and Alan Dexter are impressed.
6 min |
January 2021
MacFormat UK
Mac mini
The M1-powered desktop that’s more powerful than you think
3 min |