How Long Does It Take to Build a PC?
It’s no less than an art to build a PC n your own. While it’s a stress buster for some users, others may find it an exciting activity that fills them with adrenaline. For some people, it may be a great challenge as well.
But at the end of it, what you have is your very own machine, built with your own two hands. The satisfaction of playing games, creating content, and getting work done on a machine you’ve built yourself is unparalleled!
However, building a PC takes time. You may need to put aside this time from your daily schedule. I’m here to help if you’re not sure about how much time you will have to plan for! Let’s figure out how long it takes to build a PC!
How long does it take to build a PC?
If you’ve built a PC before and you’re confident in what you’re doing, you can probably finish a PC build in an hour to 90 minutes. However, if you’re a beginner PC builder and need some time to figure out each step (which I recommend doing). Hence beginners might need between 3 to 4 hours of their day.
Nowadays, almost all PC components are standardized and built to perfection to be easily put together. The days of struggling with unnecessary screws, wires, cables, and solders are far behind us. Building a PC is no longer a huge, daunting task – this is part of the joy of this activity. Anyone can do it and do it well!
This is provided everything goes smoothly, you execute all the steps with care and attention, and everything works as intended!
Sounds like a big deal? It really isn’t as troublesome as it sounds. Let’s break it down into a stepwise count of how long things take and how to make your PC building process as efficient as possible.
Part 1: Buying the components
Now, of course, this part isn’t included on the day of the build. Different PC parts will have different delivery times. But you may take your time deciding which PC components will be right for you. However, a gaming PC will require different PC parts than a normal day-to-day use computer.
But this is still essential to ensure your build is efficient and quick!
If you ensure that all your components are compatible with each other and have everything you need, your PC build will be much smoother. You won’t be scrambling for parts or worrying about compatibility. Instead, you can just focus on the build.
You can easily achieve this by checking the compatibility of your components on PC-build simulation websites like PCPartPicker.
Part 2: Building the PC
Now that you have all the right parts and they’re right in front of you, it’s time!
Getting started on your PC build can be a nerve-inducing activity. The key is not to rush yourself and take enough time at every step. These steps will generally include the following:
1. Gathering and organizing all your material –
This includes your main PC components, such as your motherboard, GPU, CPU, etc. It also includes all your cables, your PSU, your cable ties, and your screwdriver.
Don’t forget, safety comes first! Always include an anti-static mat to keep things grounded.
2. The motherboard build –
Mounting the CPU, RAM, Storage Drive, GPU, and CPU Cooler onto the motherboard. This step is usually quite easy with modern standardized components – so take your time with it!
Remember, a slow, careful build is ultimately the most efficient!
3. Casing the whole thing up –
It’s time to put your newly assembled motherboard in its new home, the CPU case. This step is a little tricky and time-consuming. This is because you will need to do some cable management here. Additionally, don’t forget to manage the cables before you place the motherboard.
Other things that you need to do are installing the I/O shield, any HDD Storage you may have, and finally, connecting the motherboard to the case cables.
4. Powering your way to the perfect build –
Plugging in your PSU! This is one of the most crucial steps in your build. If you’re feeling tired, take a small break before starting this. However, it is to ensure all you have plugged the PSU cables into the motherboard and peripherals correctly.
With proper cable management in step 3, this will be quite easy. Take your time now to ensure that everything is plugged in properly. That way, you might not even need to spend any time at all on part 3!
5. Graphics galore –
You have your shiny new graphics card, and you’ve waited long enough; time to install it into your build! This is once again a simple matter, as components are standardized and just require some by-the-manual installation.
This step will involve installing the GPU into the PCIe slots and then plugging in the PCIe slots.
6. Sights and sounds –
Install your peripherals! The last part of your build phase involves everything outside the CPU case.
This includes RGB Lighting, Monitors, Keyboards, Audio devices – everything you hand-picked to experience your new PC coming to life. This won’t take any time at all, and these days most peripherals are built for one cable connection.
Part 3: The Test
The final step – make sure it all works. This may be the shortest or the longest step. It depends entirely on how carefully you’ve undertaken all the steps above. If you’re sure you have the right working parts slotted firmly into the right places and plugged into the appropriate power slots, you may find the PC working perfectly right from the get-go.
However, if a component does not work or the BIOS does not show a component, don’t worry! This challenge is also a part of what makes PC-building fun. Troubleshooting and fixing problems will make the first time you experience your PC even more special!
Power connections and broken or damaged components are the top places to check if you run into a problem. Next, check your cabling, and check that everything is where the should be.
Conclusion
Building a PC looks like a monumental task for some and a relaxing afternoon for others. But no matter what it seems to be from your perspective, proper preparation and building with care is the right way! This will ensure the smoothest and fastest possible PC build.
Seasoned builders may finish a build in under an hour, while newbies might need 3 or 4 hours. But the most important thing is to view it as a challenge to enjoy – and in the end, you have a brand new PC waiting for you!
