K-Tech Labs
Series
Computers 101
Every part of a computer explained in plain language. What it is, what it does, and what to look at when you are shopping for one. Start with the full video, or jump to the part you are curious about.
Start here
The full walkthrough
One video covering every component from the case to the graphics card. Each part below is also its own short clip.
The parts
One component at a time
These run in the order I actually build a machine, from the empty case to the last fan, so you can follow along with your own parts on the desk.
The case
The box everything lives in. Airflow, size and layout decide how cool and how quiet the rest of your parts end up being, so this is the first choice, not an afterthought.
Clip coming soon
The motherboard
The board everything plugs into. It decides which processor you can use, how much memory fits, and what you can add later.
Clip coming soon
The processor
The CPU or Central Processing Unit. It handles the general work your machine does, and in games it sets the pace the graphics card has to keep up with. It goes onto the motherboard before the board goes into the case.
Clip coming soon
The cooler
An air cooler or an all-in-one liquid cooler. Heat is what makes a processor slow itself down, so the cooler protects the performance you paid for.
Clip coming soon
Memory
RAM or Random Access Memory. It holds what your machine is working on right now, and both the amount and the speed matter.
Clip coming soon
Storage
SSDs or Solid State Drives and traditional hard drives. This is where your files, games and applications live, and it is what makes a machine feel fast to use.
Clip coming soon
The power supply
Also called the PSU. It feeds clean, steady power to every other part, which is why this is the worst place to cut corners.
Clip coming soon
The graphics card
The GPU or Graphics Processing Unit. In gaming this is usually the part that decides your frame rate, and usually the most expensive one.
Clip coming soon
Case fans
The last parts to go in. Fan placement decides which direction air moves through the case, and that changes the temperature of everything inside it.
Clip coming soon
Putting it together
Cable management, the first power on, and the mistakes that cost first-time builders the most time.
Clip coming soon
Next
Ready to build one?
Once you know what each part does, the build guides show you which ones to buy at three different budgets.