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Megan's Recommendation

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Apple MacBook Website

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The incredibly thin and light MacBook features new seventh-generation processors, faster SSD storage, and up to 10 hours of battery life.

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HP Website

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Laptop Computers, Desktops, Printers, Ink & Toner

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Learn about HP laptops, pc desktops, printers, accessories and more at the Official HP® Website.

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Dell United States Official Site | Dell United States

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Dell provides technology solutions, services & support. Buy Laptops, Touch Screen PCs, Desktops, Servers, Storage, Monitors, Gaming & Accessories

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Mwave.com - Buy Computer Parts, Hardware, Software, Electronics, Karaoke Home Entertainment, Cell Phones, Netbooks, Notebooks, iPods, Apple Computers and more at the lowest prices and best service from Mwave.com

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Mwave.com offers the lowest prices and best service on Computer Parts, Hardware, Software, Electronics, karaoke, home entertainment, cell phone, netbook, notebook, ipod ,apple computers

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Outlet PC Computer Parts Website

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Lowest Prices + Free Shipping! Shop 1000's of deals on Computer Parts, Laptops, Motherboard Combos, Barebones, and Systems! We're hardware experts in the PC industry and offer great deals direct to your door.

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Best Buy Computer Parts Website

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Computer Cards &amp; Components: Computer Parts, Cases - Best Buy

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LG - Ultra Slim 8x Max. DVD Write Speed External USB DVD±RW/CD-RW Drive - Black

Model: SP80NB60

SKU: 5407064

USB 2.0 interface; USB 3.0 compatible; jamless play; silent play; up to 8.5GB/4 hours on DVD±R DL media; up to 8x DVD±R write speeds

4.4(2145 Reviews)

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If you find a qualifying lower price online, call 1-888-BEST BUY and direct a customer service agent to the web site with the lower price, or when visiting a Best Buy store, one of our employees will assist you.

On qualifying products, Best Buy will then verify the current price to complete the price match.

Exclusions apply including, but not limited to, items sold by Marketplace vendors, Competitors' service prices, special daily or hourly sales, and items for sale Thanksgiving Day through the Monday after Thanksgiving. See the list of Designated Major Online Retailers and full details.

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Apple - SuperDrive 8x External USB Double-Layer DVD±RW/CD-RW Drive - Silver

Model: MD564ZM/A

SKU: 5856129

USB interface; up to 6x DVD+/-R DL, up to 8x DVD+R and DVD-R and up to 8x DVD+RW and 6x DVD-RW rewrite speeds; up to 24x16x24 CD-RW

4.7(3975 Reviews)

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Best Buy is dedicated to always offering the best value to our customers. We will match the price, at the time of purchase, on a Price Match Guarantee product if you find the same item at a lower price at a Designated Major Online Retailer or at a local retail competitor's store.
Here's how:

If you find a qualifying lower price online, call 1-888-BEST BUY and direct a customer service agent to the web site with the lower price, or when visiting a Best Buy store, one of our employees will assist you.

On qualifying products, Best Buy will then verify the current price to complete the price match.

Exclusions apply including, but not limited to, items sold by Marketplace vendors, Competitors' service prices, special daily or hourly sales, and items for sale Thanksgiving Day through the Monday after Thanksgiving. See the list of Designated Major Online Retailers and full details.

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LG - 8x External Double-Layer DVD±RW/CD-RW SuperMulti Blade Drive - Silver

Model: AP70NS50

SKU: 1802033

USB 2.0 interface; slim, portable design; up to 6x DVD+R DL and DVD-R DL, 8x DVD+R and DVD-R write speeds; up to 6x DVD+RW and DVD-RW rewrite speeds; 24x24x24 CD-RW

4.5(768 Reviews)

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Thermaltake - TG-7 0.1-Oz. Thermal Grease - Gray

Model: CL-O004-GROSGM-A

SKU: 4407100

Contains diamond powder; eliminates the air gap between the heat source and heat sink; improves heat dissipation; easy application

4.7(58 Reviews)

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Best Buy is dedicated to always offering the best value to our customers. We will match the price, at the time of purchase, on a Price Match Guarantee product if you find the same item at a lower price at a Designated Major Online Retailer or at a local retail competitor's store.
Here's how:

If you find a qualifying lower price online, call 1-888-BEST BUY and direct a customer service agent to the web site with the lower price, or when visiting a Best Buy store, one of our employees will assist you.

On qualifying products, Best Buy will then verify the current price to complete the price match.

Exclusions apply including, but not limited to, items sold by Marketplace vendors, Competitors' service prices, special daily or hourly sales, and items for sale Thanksgiving Day through the Monday after Thanksgiving. See the list of Designated Major Online Retailers and full details.

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PNY - 8GB PC3-12800 DDR3 DIMM Desktop Memory - Green

Model: MD8192SD3-1600-NHS-V2

SKU: 5429091

Designed for desktops; 8GB memory; operates at up to 1600MHz; boosts performance

4.6(110 Reviews)

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Here's how:

If you find a qualifying lower price online, call 1-888-BEST BUY and direct a customer service agent to the web site with the lower price, or when visiting a Best Buy store, one of our employees will assist you.

On qualifying products, Best Buy will then verify the current price to complete the price match.

Exclusions apply including, but not limited to, items sold by Marketplace vendors, Competitors' service prices, special daily or hourly sales, and items for sale Thanksgiving Day through the Monday after Thanksgiving. See the list of Designated Major Online Retailers and full details.

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LG - 8x External USB 2.0 Blu-ray Disc Double-Layer DVD±RW/CD-RW Disc Rewriter - Black

Model: BP50NB40

SKU: 9243009

USB 2.0 interface; BDXL; M-DISC; Silent Play; Jamless Play; up to 6x BD-R, 8x DVD±RW write speeds

4.4(446 Reviews)

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Best Buy is dedicated to always offering the best value to our customers. We will match the price, at the time of purchase, on a Price Match Guarantee product if you find the same item at a lower price at a Designated Major Online Retailer or at a local retail competitor's store.
Here's how:

If you find a qualifying lower price online, call 1-888-BEST BUY and direct a customer service agent to the web site with the lower price, or when visiting a Best Buy store, one of our employees will assist you.

On qualifying products, Best Buy will then verify the current price to complete the price match.

Exclusions apply including, but not limited to, items sold by Marketplace vendors, Competitors' service prices, special daily or hourly sales, and items for sale Thanksgiving Day through the Monday after Thanksgiving. See the list of Designated Major Online Retailers and full details.

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PNY - 4GB DDR3 SDRAM Memory Module

Model: MN4096SD3-1333

SKU: 3779273

4 GB (1 x 4 GB) - DDR3 SDRAM - 1333 MHz DDR3-1333/PC3-10666 - Non-ECC - Unbuffered - 204-pin SoDIMM PNY 4GB DDR3 SDRAM Memory Module

4.5(663 Reviews)

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Here's how:

If you find a qualifying lower price online, call 1-888-BEST BUY and direct a customer service agent to the web site with the lower price, or when visiting a Best Buy store, one of our employees will assist you.

On qualifying products, Best Buy will then verify the current price to complete the price match.

Exclusions apply including, but not limited to, items sold by Marketplace vendors, Competitors' service prices, special daily or hourly sales, and items for sale Thanksgiving Day through the Monday after Thanksgiving. See the list of Designated Major Online Retailers and full details.

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Corsair - CX Series Modular CX750M 750W ATX Power Supply - Black

Model: CP-9020061-NA

SKU: 8324202

ATX 12V/EPS 12V compliant; large-diameter, thermally controlled fan; flexible modular cabling system; over- and under-voltage, over-power and short-circuit protection

4.7(458 Reviews)

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Here's how:

If you find a qualifying lower price online, call 1-888-BEST BUY and direct a customer service agent to the web site with the lower price, or when visiting a Best Buy store, one of our employees will assist you.

On qualifying products, Best Buy will then verify the current price to complete the price match.

Exclusions apply including, but not limited to, items sold by Marketplace vendors, Competitors' service prices, special daily or hourly sales, and items for sale Thanksgiving Day through the Monday after Thanksgiving. See the list of Designated Major Online Retailers and full details.

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Targus - 4-Port USB 2.0 Hub - Black

Model: ACH114US

SKU: 4571721

Compatible with PC and Mac; connect up to 4 USB-2.0-enabled devices to your computer; data transfer rates up to 480 Mbps; attached USB cable

4.7(42 Reviews)

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Best Buy is dedicated to always offering the best value to our customers. We will match the price, at the time of purchase, on a Price Match Guarantee product if you find the same item at a lower price at a Designated Major Online Retailer or at a local retail competitor's store.
Here's how:

If you find a qualifying lower price online, call 1-888-BEST BUY and direct a customer service agent to the web site with the lower price, or when visiting a Best Buy store, one of our employees will assist you.

On qualifying products, Best Buy will then verify the current price to complete the price match.

Exclusions apply including, but not limited to, items sold by Marketplace vendors, Competitors' service prices, special daily or hourly sales, and items for sale Thanksgiving Day through the Monday after Thanksgiving. See the list of Designated Major Online Retailers and full details.

$15.99

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EVGA - GeForce GTX 970 4GB GDDR5 PCI Express 3.0 Graphics Card - Black

Model: 04G-P4-3979-KB

SKU: 2496109

4GB GDDR5 memory; PCI Express 3.0 interface; DVI-I, DVI-D, HDMI and DisplayPort outputs; 1190MHz clock speed with 1342MHz boost clock speed; Precision X16 and OCScanner software

4.7(308 Reviews)

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Best Buy is dedicated to always offering the best value to our customers. We will match the price, at the time of purchase, on a Price Match Guarantee product if you find the same item at a lower price at a Designated Major Online Retailer or at a local retail competitor's store.
Here's how:

If you find a qualifying lower price online, call 1-888-BEST BUY and direct a customer service agent to the web site with the lower price, or when visiting a Best Buy store, one of our employees will assist you.

On qualifying products, Best Buy will then verify the current price to complete the price match.

Exclusions apply including, but not limited to, items sold by Marketplace vendors, Competitors' service prices, special daily or hourly sales, and items for sale Thanksgiving Day through the Monday after Thanksgiving. See the list of Designated Major Online Retailers and full details.

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PNY - 8GB DDR3 1.6GHz DDR3 Laptop Memory

Model: MN8GSD31600LV

SKU: 4680400

Compatible with Mac and Windows; 8GB of memory; operates at 1600MHz; backward compatible with 1333MHz and 1066MHz speeds

4.6(33 Reviews)

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Best Buy is dedicated to always offering the best value to our customers. We will match the price, at the time of purchase, on a Price Match Guarantee product if you find the same item at a lower price at a Designated Major Online Retailer or at a local retail competitor's store.
Here's how:

If you find a qualifying lower price online, call 1-888-BEST BUY and direct a customer service agent to the web site with the lower price, or when visiting a Best Buy store, one of our employees will assist you.

On qualifying products, Best Buy will then verify the current price to complete the price match.

Exclusions apply including, but not limited to, items sold by Marketplace vendors, Competitors' service prices, special daily or hourly sales, and items for sale Thanksgiving Day through the Monday after Thanksgiving. See the list of Designated Major Online Retailers and full details.

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PNY - 8GB 1.6GHz PC3-12800 DDR3 Laptop Memory - Multi

Model: MN8192SD3-1600

SKU: 1396124

Designed for laptops; 8GB of memory; operates at 1.6GHz

4.5(404 Reviews)

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Best Buy is dedicated to always offering the best value to our customers. We will match the price, at the time of purchase, on a Price Match Guarantee product if you find the same item at a lower price at a Designated Major Online Retailer or at a local retail competitor's store.
Here's how:

If you find a qualifying lower price online, call 1-888-BEST BUY and direct a customer service agent to the web site with the lower price, or when visiting a Best Buy store, one of our employees will assist you.

On qualifying products, Best Buy will then verify the current price to complete the price match.

Exclusions apply including, but not limited to, items sold by Marketplace vendors, Competitors' service prices, special daily or hourly sales, and items for sale Thanksgiving Day through the Monday after Thanksgiving. See the list of Designated Major Online Retailers and full details.

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Thermaltake - BlacX Duet Hard Drive Enclosure Docking Station - Black

Model: ST0014U-C

SKU: 9062073

Compatible with 2.5" and 3.5" SATA HDDs and SSDs; USB 3.0 and eSATA interfaces; hot-swappable; plug and play; SSG (Solid State Grip) technology; data transfer up to 5 Gbps via USB 3.0

4.4(108 Reviews)

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Best Buy is dedicated to always offering the best value to our customers. We will match the price, at the time of purchase, on a Price Match Guarantee product if you find the same item at a lower price at a Designated Major Online Retailer or at a local retail competitor's store.
Here's how:

If you find a qualifying lower price online, call 1-888-BEST BUY and direct a customer service agent to the web site with the lower price, or when visiting a Best Buy store, one of our employees will assist you.

On qualifying products, Best Buy will then verify the current price to complete the price match.

Exclusions apply including, but not limited to, items sold by Marketplace vendors, Competitors' service prices, special daily or hourly sales, and items for sale Thanksgiving Day through the Monday after Thanksgiving. See the list of Designated Major Online Retailers and full details.

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HP - 24x Internal Double-Layer DVD±RW/CD-RW Drive - Black/Silver

Model: DVD1265I

SKU: 1371147

Up to 12x DVD±R DL and up to 24x DVD±R write speeds; 48x32x48 CD-RW

4.5(233 Reviews)

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EVGA - GeForce GTX 960 2GB GDDR5 PCI Express 3.0 Graphics Card - Black

Model: 02G-P4-2968-KR

SKU: 4047283

2GB GDDR5 memory; PCI Express 3.0 interface; DVI-I, HDMI and DisplayPort outputs; 1304MHz clock speed with 1367MHz boost clock speed; EVGA Precision X and OC Scanner X software included

4.7(222 Reviews)

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PNY - GeForce GT 610 2GB DDR3 PCI Express 2.0 Graphics Card - Black

Model: VCGGT6102XPB

SKU: 9526059

2GB DDR3 memory; PCI Express 2.0 interface; HDMI, VGA and DVI outputs; 400MHz clock speed; PhysX software

4.4(285 Reviews)

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New! PNY - 2-Pack 16GB PC3-12800L DDR3 SoDIMM Laptop Memory Kit - Green

Model: MN16GK2D31600LV

SKU: 4830503

Designed for laptops; 16GB of memory; operates at 1600MHz; improves data output and boosts memory bus efficiency

5(1 Review)

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PNY - Optima 2GB PC2-6400 DDR2 DIMM Memory - Multi

Model: MD2048SD2-800

SKU: 8990283

From our expanded online assortment;

4.6(333 Reviews)

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Insignia™ - 120mm Case Cooling Fan - Black

Model: NS-PCF1250

SKU: 3648006

Compatible with most cases with 4-pin connectors; 120mm fan; 44 cfm airflow volume; 2 ball bearings; 1.6' cable; 22.5dBA maximum noise level

4.4(110 Reviews)

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Thermaltake - SMART Series 650W Bronze Power Supply - Black

Model: SP-650P

SKU: 8733872

Supports Intel® ATX 12V v2.3 and EPS 12V standards; 120mm cooling fan; high-current and single +12V rail; 80 PLUS Bronze certified; active PFC (power factor correction) with universal AC input

4.7(147 Reviews)

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Thermaltake - Riing 12 LED 120mm Radiator Cooling Fan - Blue

Model: CL-F038-PL12BU-A

SKU: 4401200

120mm x 120mm x 25mm size; 3-pin connector; up to 40.6 cfm airflow; up to 1500 rpm operating speed; wind-blocker frame; antivibration mount system; 24.6dBA noise level

4.6(34 Reviews)

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$16.99

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Thermaltake - 430W TR2 ATX Power Supply - Black

Model: W0070RUC

SKU: 9827301

Supports most Intel® and AMD processors; supports most NVIDIA and ATI/AMD graphics cards; dual +12V rails; cable management system

4.3(212 Reviews)

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PNY - XLR8 2-Pack 4GB PC3-14900 DDR3 UDIMM Desktop Memory Kit - Black

Model: MD8192KD3-1866-K-X10-Z

SKU: 5429115

Designed for Windows desktops; 8GB of memory; operates at 1866MHz; designed for gamers

4.6(65 Reviews)

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Corsair - Hydro Series 240mm Liquid CPU Cooler - Black/Gray

Model: H100I GTX

SKU: 7313029

Compatible with select Intel® and AMD processors; 240mm radiator; dual 120mm fans; 70.69 cfm airflow; Corsair Link; 37.7dBA maximum noise level

4.8(88 Reviews)

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Shop computer parts, video cards, PC components, sound cards, computer cases, computer components at Best Buy.

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Step by Step: How to Build a Computer

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Have you ever wondered how to build your own computer? Many people write it off as "too difficult", however by following this guide we will show you how simple it is! We'll take you through the entire process in plain easy language step-by-step and you will be amazed how easy it really is. Building your own computer is a very satisfying task, you will get exactly the PC you want that will run how you want it to? You may even save some money too, cool huh?

Whether you're 12 or 60, or you're after a hardcore gaming computer, a simple workstation for email and documents or a budding video editor churning out YouTube videos at a rate of knots, you build your own computer from the ground up to suit exactly your needs.

Below is a quick summary of the benefits of building your own PC and how this guide will help you from the very start. If you prefer to jump right in, go ahead and get started.

Why build your own PC?

Ready built PC's are so cheap, why would you bother? Fair question. Here's a few reasons:

Customization - By selecting each component to suit your needs now and into the future you get exactly the PC for your needs, a machine you know you'll be happy with and will perform your tasks and meet your budget.

Easy to Upgrade - Off the shelf PCs are meant to be easy to buy, and will suit a lot of people for most tasks. But they are generic by design and use specific components - largely to keep the costs down for the manufacturer. However many times you are limited by base components and find that upgrades are difficult or even impossible. With your own PC you can ensure that should you wish to say, upgrade to a new graphics card to play the latest game or if your computer is struggling with heavy apps and you need more RAM, then you can!

Personalization - Not just the bits you choose to build, but you can choose a cool case like the one next to this listing - build it your self, make it your own.

How to use this guide

If you lose track at any time click "Start Here" from the top menu for a list of all steps to build your own computer or revisit the home page and click here.

The first stage will walk you through how to choose the correct components for your computer based on your needs and your budget. You can start it right here, or just read on for the instruction summary.

Next you'll be guided through the basics so you can discover how to build your own computer, the tools for the job (you may already have these) as well as the basic components which will make up the completed computer and also any optional components and peripherals - bluray/dvd drives, printer, scanner etc. Remember one thing, the component selection is the most time consuming part mostly because people tend to get caught up in "this graphics card, vs that graphics card" or this "motherboard vs that one"... Try not to get caught up the details even if you're after a super-performing mean gaming machine!

Following on from there, the guide will step you through putting all the bits together, installing your operating system and then troubleshooting if things don't go as planned!

Ready? So let's get started! Step 1: Getting Started.

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Build Your Own Computer - Step By Step Instructions

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Have you ever wondered how to build your own computer? Many people write it off as "too difficult", however by following this guide we will show you how simple it is! We'll take you through the entire process in plain easy language step-by-step and you will be amazed how easy it really is.

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How to Build a Computer from Scratch

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Building a computer used to be a complicated process, where careful selection of delicate parts was a necessity. When that collection of components finally booted for the first time, it was a triumphant experience. Knowing how to build a computer made you quite the tech-head.

Nowadays it's easier than ever, with clear standards of compatibility, obvious choices for performance and value, and an actual building process that's straightforward and well documented. That said, there are pitfalls to avoid and assumptions experienced builders make that newcomers won't know.

To help out new PC builders and experienced enthusiasts alike, we've compiled this handy step-by-step guide that will take you from a pile of parts to a working computer in just a couple of hours.

Getting started

This guide is all about putting your components together. If you haven't selected and purchased all the hardware you need, stop reading and go check out our PC build guide, which outlines recommended components for a variety of builds.

Have your parts? Good. Let's get started.

Before you dig in, ensure there's a clean workspace with plenty of room to open boxes and put parts together. Hopefully there's already a pile of them in front of you, but if not, our PC build guide can walk you through that process.

There are a couple of safety issues to discuss before we actually start ripping open those boxes.

You can feel it

There's an invisible risk when building a computer that can crush the most powerful system: Static electricity. The same force that lets you shock your friends when you wear wool socks can also fry components in a heartbeat. Fortunately, it's easy to all but eliminate with a few simple steps.

One easy solution is to purchase an anti-static wristband. One end wraps around your wrist, and the other clips somewhere on the computer case, keeping the wearer constantly grounded. Touching the case frequently with the PSU plugged in, but turned off, achieves the same effect.

Apart from that, it helps to build in a room with a bare floor - carpets generate a lot of static - and wear rubber-sole shoes rather than socks. Many components are packaged in anti-static bags, and it's a good idea to leave them there until just before installation.

Need help? Just ask

Building a PC for the first time can be a little tricky, but the good news is there are many resources to help. People who like building computers don't often get the opportunity. If you have an enthusiast friend, they may jump at the chance to help put it together.

This guide is meant as a general overview of the process, and the instructions your parts came with may vary from our suggestions. When they do, default to the included instructions, and use our guide as a road map for the whole project.

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Building your own PC is the best way to earn geek cred - here's how to do it

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Building a computer used to be a complicated process, where careful selection of delicate parts was a necessity. When that collection of components finally booted for the first time, it was a triumphant experience. Knowing how to build a computer made you quite the tech-head.

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13 Things You Need to Know to Buy the Perfect Laptop

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13 things you need to know to buy the perfect laptop

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Ward off disingenuous sales people by arming yourself with knowledge. Check out our list of 13 things that you need to consider before hitting the shops.

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How to Choose the Best Computer for You!

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When buying a new computer, it's easy to become confused by the sheer volume of technical decisions that you'll have to make.

How to choose the best desktop PC for you? Well, you might wonder how much RAM you'll need, for instance, which processor to choose or which graphics card to pick, what display to look for, which hard drive will be best for you - there are so many issues that it's difficult to know where to begin.

There is a simple way to at least begin cutting down the choices on offer, though, and ensure you get the best PC for your needs.

And that's to forget about the low-level technical specifications, and fine details like the brand of graphics card just for the moment and instead concentrate on something much more fundamental and important: what you will be expecting your system to do.

So read on to find out how to buy the best computer for you, then check out our 10 best desktop PCs on page 2.

Best computer: using your new PC

Take a moment to think about the sort of applications you'll want to run on your new PC, as these will help to decide which features your system will need.

If you only intend to run basic tasks - browsing the web, sending emails, running office-type software like Microsoft Word - then the good news is that most computers, even at the budget end of the market, will be able to cope with your requirements.

An entertainment PC can handle those basic jobs, too, but might also be used to watch TV and movies, listen to music, play some games, perhaps share music and video files across a home network. Systems like this need a little more in the way of hardware power, like a larger hard drive to store all your music and movies, as well as a big screen, a good sound card and speakers, but they still don't have to be too expensive. Many entertainment PCs are all-in-one PCs these days.

If you want to play the latest games with the best possible performance, then you'll need a gaming PC. This can be much more expensive, as not only will you need a quality screen, a good sound card and speakers, but you'll also require a powerful graphics card, fast hard drive and a decent processor.

And if you're not a gamer, but need to run some heavy-duty software - editing HD videos, say - then you'll need a high-end performance PC. This should include a powerful CPU, plenty of memory, and a large, fast hard drive, so expect a sizeable bill. But you may not need the large screen or powerful graphics card of the entertainment or gaming systems, which will help to keep prices down a little.

Best computer: netbook, laptop or desktop?

With the basic applications of your new computer resolved, it's time to think about the type of system that might be appropriate: a netbook, tablet, laptop or desktop?

Netbooks are compact notebooks with small screens (typically 10 to 12 inches), and components that are more about saving battery life than delivering raw power. So expect a slow CPU, only a little RAM (1 to 2GB, usually), no DVD drive, not too much hard drive space, and so on.

This is all that you need for basic web browsing, emailing and similar tasks, though. Their small size makes netbooks extremely portable (most are only around 1-1.5kg), battery life is usually very good at 4 to 10 hours, and you can buy some great systems from as little as £249. Our articles on the best laptop, and best Windows 8 tablet and best Windows 8 laptop will tell you more.

Laptops can seem bulky by comparison to their tiny netbook cousins: they might be more than twice the weight, with larger screens, and more powerful CPUs, which means battery life may struggle to reach 3 hours in some cases.

Of course they can also handle much more powerful applications, though. If you'll be spending hours typing on the system then you'll appreciate the larger keyboard. The built-in DVD drive makes it easier to install software and create backups, and high-end laptops can even deliver very acceptable gaming performance.

Again, we've a guide to suit everyone: The best cheap laptop focuses on budget systems, while our article on the best student laptops and the best 13" laptops cover a wider range of systems.

The best gaming laptops guide reveals that you buy mobile gaming performance for as little as £599, while the more general Which laptop should I buy? article walks you through the buying process and explains how to make sure you get the right system for you.

If you don't need a computer you can carry around, though, a desktop will be your best option. These are larger, but deliver more power for your money, and are generally much easier to upgrade or reconfigure. So if you decide you need better gaming performance, say, you can just buy another graphics card at a later date, something that won't be possible at all with most netbooks or laptops.

But if you've already got a list of preferred PC manufacturers then it might be more interesting to think about the hardware that your new computer should include - and there's plenty to consider.

Best computer: technical specs

In the past, one of the first questions to ask about your new PC has been how much memory you'll need. These days, though, even many budget PCs come with 4 or 6GB of RAM.

If you're short of cash and only want to run very basic programs, perhaps to browse the web or send emails, then you might just about get away with 2GB. Maybe. But opting for 4GB will help to improve your system's performance, even here, so avoid skimping on memory if you possibly can.

If you're buying a more high-end system, though, you might also want to consider the type of memory it should include to deliver the best results. Our article on How to buy RAM will tell you more.

It's a similar situation with hard drives. If you're buying a budget PC (around £400, say) then look for the highest capacity you can afford; we'd recommend at least 750GB, although even many budget PCs now include 1TB drives.

If you've more cash to spend, though, it's worth paying more attention to the technical details. Read How to buy the best new hard drive for a grounding in the basics. And if you've a big budget, then solid-state drives (SSDs) deliver the best performance around, though their capacities are low. Our guide to the best SSDs, or solid state drives, will tell you more.

To help you choose between a hard disk drive and a solid-state drive, take a look at our guide SSD vs HDD: which is best?

Then of course there's the issue of your computer's processor: which one is the best CPU? The good news here is that even the cheapest PCs now include CPUs with two cores, essentially separate processors that allow you to run multiple tasks at the same time. But even if money is tight, look for something with more cores, if you can: something like Intel's Core i3-530 or AMD's Athlon II X4 640 offer decent performance at a budget price.

While we've hopefully covered most of your concerns here, there may be one or two other issues you want to consider.

If you aim to play the latest games on your computer, for instance, the choice of graphics card will be critical. Let us help you out with our guide to the best graphics cards in the world today.

And whatever you're doing on your system, a quality LCD monitor will be crucial - so be sure to read our guide to the technical details you really need to know before you buy a monitor.

It's a lot to consider, then, but doing your homework now will really pay off later. And that's because understanding the features you need (and the ones you really don't) will both save you money and help you choose the best PC that will serve you well for years to come.

Which, of course, is the best news of all, because your systems' extended life means you won't have to go computer shopping again for a long, long time.

Buying a computer for a business? Then check out best business laptops and Best business tablets

Liked this? Then check out Top laptops: the 20 best laptops in the world

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Best computer: how to choose the right one

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When buying a new computer, it's easy to become confused by the sheer volume of technical decisions that you'll have to make. How to choose the best desktop PC for you?

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8 Essential Tips to Buying a Laptop

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Compact enough to carry with you, yet versatile enough to run demanding applications, a laptop is the best tool for doing serious work or play at home and on the road. While standalone tablets and smartphones are always popular, most people realize that everything from typing a research paper to crunching video to gaming works better on a laptop. So what type of laptop should you get?

There's a wide variety of sizes, features and prices, which makes choosing the right laptop a challenge. That's why you need to figure out what your needs are. To make the right call, just follow these steps.

Quick Tips

If you're in a hurry, these are the most important things to consider when choosing a new laptop. For a lot more detail, see the sections below.

12.5 to 14-inch screens offer the best balance between usability and portability. Larger screens are fine if you don't travel much and smaller models are great for kids.

If you're spending over $600, shoot for these minimum specs:

8+ hours of battery life is ideal if you plan to take your laptop anywhere at all.

Consider a 2-in-1 if you want to use your laptop as a tablet. If not, a standard clamshell notebook may be a better choice.

Chromebooks are good for kids. Windows laptops and MacBooks both offer plenty of functionality; which platform you prefer is a matter of personal taste.

1. Pick a Platform: Mac, Windows or Chrome OS?

This is not an easy question to answer, especially if you're not familiar with both Macs and PCs. But this quick overview of each platform's strengths and weaknesses should help.

Most laptops come with one of three operating systems: Windows, Chrome OS or MacOS (for MacBooks only). Choosing the right one is a personal preference, but here's a quick summary of what each offers.

Windows 10

The most flexible operating system, Windows appears on many more makes and models than Chrome OS or Mac OS X. Windows notebooks range in price from under $150 to several thousand dollars and offer a wide array of features from touch screens to fingerprint readers to dual graphics chips. Windows 10, the latest version of Microsoft's flagship operating system, provides a number of improvements over Windows 7 and 8, including the ability to switch between tablet and desktop modes, a revamped Start menu with live tiles and the powerful Cortana digital assistant. Since its launch in July 2015, Windows 10 has also added a host of improvements, including the ability to use follow-up questions with Cortana, search your email using natural language and use your stylus to scribble almost anywhere.
MORE: 100+ Windows 10 Tips to Help You Master Microsoft's OS
Apple macOS High Sierra

All MacBooks come with Apple's latest desktop operating system, macOS High Sierra. Overall, the operating system offers similar functionality to Windows 10, but with a different take on the interface that substitutes an apps dock at the bottom of the screen for Microsoft's Start menu and taskbar. Instead of the Cortana digital assistant, Mac users get Siri. They can also perform transactions with Apple Pay, take calls or texts from their phones and unlock their laptops with an Apple Watch. However, macOS isn't made for touch, because no MacBook comes with a touch screen.
MORE: MacBook Air vs MacBook Pro: What Should You Buy?
Chrome OS

Found on inexpensive Chromebooks such as the Samsung Chromebook 3. Google's OS is simple and secure, but more limited than Windows or macOS. The user interface looks a lot like Windows with an application menu, a desktop and the ability to drag windows around, but the main app you use is the Chrome browser. The downside is that many of the "web apps" you use don't work particularly well offline. However, that's changing as a several Chromebooks, including the high-end, Google PixelBook, can now run Android apps.

If you need a device to surf the Web and check email, navigate social networks and chat online, Chromebooks are highly portable and tend to offer good battery life at low prices. They are also extremely popular with schools and parents, because they are hard for kids to infect with malware and more functional than most tablets. If you need a Chromebook, look for one with at least 4GB of RAM and 16GB of storage. A 1920 x 1080 resolution is preferable but uncommon. Pay extra to get a 2-in-1 if you plan to use Android apps.
MORE: Best Chromebooks Available Now
2. Decide If You Want a 2-in-1

Many PC laptops fall into the category of 2-in-1s, hybrid devices that can switch between traditional clamshell mode, tablet mode and other positions in between such as tent or stand modes. 2-in-1s generally come in two different styles: detachables with screens that come off the keyboard entirely and flexible laptops with hinges that bend back 360 degrees to change modes. Most of these systems are much better at serving one purpose than the other, with bend-backs being laptops first and detachables offering a superior tablet experience. However, if you don't see the need to use your notebook as a slate, you'll usually get more performance for your money with a traditional clamshell laptop.

If you decide you want a 2-in-1, note that bendables usually have far better battery life than their detachable brethren.
MORE: Windows Detachables Have Big Battery Life Problem
3. Choose the Right Size

Before you look at specs or pricing, you need to figure out just how portable you need your laptop to be. Laptops are usually categorized by their display sizes:

11 to 12 inches: The thinnest and lightest systems around have 11- to 12-inch screens and typically weigh 2.5 to 3.5 pounds,

13 to 14 inches: Provides the best balance of portability and usability, particularly if you get a laptop that weighs under 4 pounds.

15 inches: The most popular size, 15-inch laptops usually weigh 4.5 to 6.5 pounds. Consider this size if you want a larger screen and you're not planning to carry your notebook around often.

17 to 18 inches: If your laptop stays on your desk all day every day, a 17- or 18-inch system could provide you with the kind of processing power you need to play high-end games or do workstation-level productivity.

4. Check That Keyboard and Touchpad

The most impressive specs in the world don't mean diddly if the laptop you're shopping for doesn't have good ergonomics. If you plan to do a lot of work on your computer, make sure the keyboard offers solid tactile feedback, plenty of vertical travel (distance the key goes down when pressed, usually 1 to 2mm) and enough space between the keys.

Look for an accurate touchpad that doesn't give you a jumpy cursor and responds consistently to multitouch gestures such as pinch-to-zoom. If you're buying a business laptop, consider getting one with a pointing stick (aka nub) between the G and H keys so you can navigate around the desktop without lifting your fingers off the keyboard's home row.

5. Pick Your Specs

Notebook components such as processor, hard drive, RAM and graphics chip can confuse even notebook aficionados, so don't feel bad if spec sheets look like alphabet soup to you.

Here are the main components to keep an eye on.

CPU: The "brains" of your computer, the processor has a huge influence on performance, but depending on what you want to do, even the least-expensive model may be good enough. Here's a rundown.

Intel Core i5: If you're looking for a mainstream laptop with the best combination of price and performance, get one with an Intel Core i5 CPU. Models that end in U (ex: Core i5-7200U) are the most common. Those with the a Y in the name are low power and have worse performance while models with an HQ use more wattage and appear in thicker gaming and workstation systems. Intel's new 8th Generation, "Kaby Lake Refresh" CPUs have model numbers that begin with 8 (ex: Core i5-8250U) and double the number of cores from two to four, which dramatically improves performance.

Intel Core i7: A step up from Core i5, which Models with numbers that end in HQ or K use higher wattage and have four cores, allowing for even faster gaming and productivity. There are also Core i7 Y series chips that have lower power and performance. Keep an eye out for CPUs that have a 8 in the model number (ex: Core i7-8250U) because they are part of Intel's latest, 8th Generation Core Series, and offer better performance. However, 8th Gen processors are only available in the U series right now.

Intel Core i3: Performance is just a step below Core i5 and so is the price. If you can possibly step up to a Core i5, we recommend it.

AMD Ryzen Mobile: A new set of chips that are designed to compete with Intel Core i5 and Core i7.

AMD A, FX or E Series: Found on low-cost laptops, AMD's processors -- the company calls them APUs rather than CPUs -- provide decent performance for the money that's good enough for web surfing, media viewing and productivity.

Intel Pentium / Celeron: Common in sub $400 laptops, these chips offer the slowest performance, but can do if your main tasks are web surfing and light document editing. If you can pay more to get a Core i3 or i5, you'd be better off.

Intel Core m / Core i5 / i7 "Y Series" -- Low-power and low heat allow systems with these processors to go fanless. Performance is better than Celeron, but a notch below regular Core i5 U series.

Intel Xeon: Extremely powerful and expensive processors for large mobile workstations. If you do professional-grade engineering, 3D modeling or video editing, you might want a Xeon, but you won't get good battery life or a light laptop.
MORE: Which Laptop CPU is Right for You?

RAM: Some sub-$250 laptops come with only 2GB of RAM, but ideally you want at least 4GB on even a budget system and 8GB if you can spend just a little more. For most users, 16GB or more is overkill.

Storage Drive (aka Hard Drive): Even more important than the speed of your CPU is the performance of your storage drive. If you can afford it and don't need a ton of internal storage, get a laptop with a solid state drive (SSD) rather than a hard drive, because you'll see at least three times the speed and a much faster laptop overall.
Among SSDs, the newer PCIe x4 (aka NVME) units offer triple the speed of traditional SATA drives. Sub-$250 laptops use eMMC memory, which is technically solid-state but not faster than a mechanical hard drive.

Display: The more pixels you have, the more content you can fit on-screen, and the sharper it will look. Sadly, most budget and mainstream laptops have 1366 x 768 displays and so do more than half of business laptops, but if you can afford it, we recommend paying extra for a panel that runs at 1920 x 1080, also known as full HD or 1080p. Some higher-end laptops have screens that are 2560 x 1600, 3200 x 1800 or even 3840 x 2160, which all look sharp but consume more power, lowering your battery life.

Touch Screen: If you're buying a regular clamshell laptop, rather than a 2-in-1, you won't get much benefit from a touch screen and you will get 1 to 3 hours less battery life. On 2-in-1s, touch screens come standard.

Graphics Chip: If you're not playing PC games, creating 3D objects or doing high-res video editing, an integrated graphics chip (one that shares system memory) will be fine. If you have any of the above needs, though, a discrete graphics processor from AMD or Nvidia is essential. As with CPUs, there are both high- and low-end graphics chips. Low-end gaming or workstation systems today usually have Nvidia GTX 1050 while mid-range models have GTX 1050 Ti or GTX 1060 and high-end models have GTX 1070 or 1080. Nvidia maintains a list of its graphics chips from low to high end, as does AMD.

Ports: While the absence of ports is usually not a deal-breaker when choosing a laptop, it's helpful to get the connections you need right on the system, rather than having to carry a slew of dongles. Most mainstream laptops will have USB 3.0 ports and HDMI out for video. However, an increasing number of laptops use USB Type-C or Thunderbolt 3 ports that are USB Type-C compatible. Getting Type-C is a definite plus, because you can use it to connect to universal chargers and docks.

DVD/Blu-ray Drives. Few laptops come with optical drives, because all software and movies are downloadable. However, if you really need to read / write discs and your laptop of choice doesn't come with a built-in DVD drive, you can always buy an external one that connects via USB for under $20.

If you want to save money, you can skip certain unnecessary features such as a infrared camera or Windows 10 Pro.

6. Don't Skimp on Battery Life

If you're buying large, bulky notebook that you'll use only on a desk near an outlet, you don't have to worry about battery life. However, if you plan to use the laptop on your lap, even if it's at home and or work, you'll want at least 7 hours of endurance, with 8+ hours being ideal. To determine a notebook's expected battery life, don't take the manufacturer's word for it. Instead, read third-party results from objective sources, such as our reviews.
MORE: Laptops with the Longest Battery Life
7. Plan Based on Your Budget

These days, you can buy a usable laptop for under $200, but if you can budget more, you'll get a system with better build quality, stronger performance and a better display. Here's what you can get for each price range.

$150 to $250: The least-expensive notebooks are either Chromebooks, which run Google's browser-centric OS, or low-end Windows systems with minimal storage and slower processors, such as the HP Stream 11 and the Dell Inspiron 11 3000. Use these as secondary computers only or give them to the kids.

$350 to $600: For well under $600, you can get a notebook with an Intel Core i5 or AMD A8 CPU, 4 to 8GB of RAM, and a 500GB hard drive, all respectable specs. However, at this price, most notebooks don't have an SSD, a full-HD display or long battery life. There are a few noteable exceptions, such as the Acer Aspire E 15 and Asus VivoBook E403NA.

$600 to $900: As you get above $600, you'll start to see more premium designs, such as metal finishes. Manufacturers also start to add in other features as you climb the price ladder, including higher-resolution displays and SSDs.

Above $900: At this price range, expect notebooks that are more portable, more powerful or both. Expect higher-resolution screens, faster processors and possibly discrete graphics. The lightest, longest-lasting ultraportables, like the Apple MacBook and the Dell XPS 13, tend to cost more than $1,000 (although you can get the Dell for less if you don't opt for a touch screen). High-end gaming systems and mobile workstations usually cost upward of $1,500 or even as much as $2,500 or $3,000.

8.Mind the Brand

Your laptop is only as good as the company that stands behind it. Accurate and timely technical support is paramount, which is why Laptop Mag evaluates every major brand in our annual Tech Support Showdown. This past year Apple came in first place, followed by Acer and Lenovo.

Support is only part of what makes a notebook brand worth your money. You also have to consider how the manufacturer stacks up to the competition in terms of design, value and selection, review performance and other criteria. In our 2017 Best and Worst Laptop Brands report, Lenovo placed first, followed by Asus and Dell. We've also rated gaming laptop brands, with Alienware taking first place.

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Compact enough to carry with you, yet versatile enough to run demanding applications, a laptop is the best tool for doing serious work or play at home and on the road. While standalone tablets and smartphones are always popular, most people realize that everything from typing a research paper to crunching video to gaming works better on a laptop.