PC Building Course

Lesson 1 • Central Processing Units Explained

Covers CPU architecture, core counts, clock speeds, and thermal design power. Connects processor specs to real-world performance expectations.

Lesson 2 • Cooling Solutions and Cases

Surveys air and liquid cooling options alongside case form factors and airflow design. Links cooling choices to noise, temperature, and build constraints.

Lesson 3 • Motherboards and Expansion Slots

Explains motherboard form factors, chipsets, and slot types. Students can match a motherboard to a CPU and understand expansion capabilities.

Lesson 4 • Overview of PC Architecture

Introduces the logical structure of a desktop PC and the data pathways between components. Establishes the mental model needed for all subsequent assembly work.

Lesson 5 • Power Supplies and Connectors

Details PSU wattage ratings, efficiency certifications, and connector types. Prepares students to select and safely handle power supply units.

Lesson 1 • Physical Safety and Ergonomics

Addresses sharp edges, heavy components, and posture during extended builds. Prevents common injuries associated with hardware assembly work.

Lesson 2 • Tools and Equipment Selection

Identifies the essential and optional tools for a professional PC build. Students assemble a toolkit appropriate for the builds covered in later chapters.

Lesson 3 • Electrostatic Discharge Prevention

Explains how ESD damages components and the methods used to neutralize static charge. Directly protects the hardware students will handle throughout the course.

Lesson 1 • Defining Build Goals and Budget

Translates user requirements into hardware performance targets and spending tiers. Anchors every component decision to a clear purpose and financial constraint.

Lesson 2 • CPU and Motherboard Pairing

Covers socket compatibility, BIOS update requirements, and chipset feature sets. Students avoid the most common and costly compatibility mistake in PC building.

Lesson 3 • PSU Sizing and Case Clearances

Calculates total system power draw and adds appropriate headroom for PSU selection. Verifies physical clearances for coolers, GPUs, and cable routing.

Lesson 4 • GPU Selection and PCIe Bandwidth

Guides GPU selection based on resolution, refresh rate, and workload type. Addresses PCIe generation compatibility and bandwidth impact on performance.

Lesson 1 • RAM Installation and Slot Priority

Explains dual-channel slot rules and the physical installation process for DIMM and SO-DIMM modules. Correct slot selection enables full memory bandwidth.

Lesson 2 • Applying Thermal Paste

Compares thermal paste application methods and quantities for different cooler types. Correct application directly affects CPU temperatures throughout the system's life.

Lesson 3 • CPU Cooler Mounting

Covers backplate installation, standoff placement, and even-pressure mounting for air and AIO coolers. Improper mounting is a leading cause of thermal problems.

Lesson 4 • CPU Installation Techniques

Walks through LGA and AM socket installation procedures step by step. Emphasizes zero-force insertion and correct lever or load plate operation.

Lesson 1 • Front Panel and Fan Header Wiring

Decodes front panel connector pinouts and maps case fans to motherboard headers. Correct wiring enables power button, LEDs, USB ports, and fan control.

Lesson 2 • Cable Management Techniques

Applies routing, bundling, and tie-down methods to achieve clean airflow and professional appearance. Good cable management also simplifies future upgrades.

Lesson 3 • Case Preparation and I/O Shield

Covers removing panels, installing standoffs, and fitting the I/O shield before the motherboard enters the case. Skipping these steps causes damage and rework.

Lesson 4 • Storage Device Installation

Covers M.2 SSD installation with thermal pads and SATA drive mounting in bays or brackets. Connects storage physically and logically to the motherboard.

Lesson 5 • Motherboard and PSU Installation

Guides motherboard placement, screw torque, and PSU mounting orientation. Establishes the two anchor components around which all others are installed.

Lesson 1 • Navigating the BIOS Interface

Introduces UEFI BIOS layout, navigation, and key settings pages. Familiarity with the BIOS is required for every configuration task in this chapter.

Lesson 2 • Storage and Boot Device Setup

Configures SATA mode, NVMe initialization, and boot device priority. Prepares the system to recognize and boot from the target installation drive.

Lesson 3 • Enabling XMP and Memory Settings

Activates XMP or EXPO profiles and verifies RAM speed and timings in the BIOS. Ensures memory runs at purchased speeds rather than default JEDEC values.

Lesson 4 • Operating System Installation

Covers bootable USB creation, partition setup during installation, and driver installation post-setup. Produces a fully functional OS environment on the new hardware.

Lesson 1 • Software and Driver Conflict Resolution

Addresses driver conflicts, missing devices in Device Manager, and OS-level errors. Bridges hardware assembly skills with the software environment running on top.

Lesson 2 • Structured Troubleshooting Methodology

Introduces the divide-and-conquer diagnostic framework and symptom-to-cause mapping. A systematic approach prevents wasted time and accidental damage during diagnosis.

Lesson 3 • Common Boot and POST Failures

Diagnoses no-POST, no-display, and boot loop scenarios using a step-by-step checklist. Covers the most frequent failures encountered after a new build.

Lesson 4 • Stress Testing and Stability Verification

Uses CPU, GPU, and RAM stress tools to confirm system stability under load. Catches thermal and power delivery issues before the system reaches the end user.

Lesson 1 • Baseline Performance Benchmarking

Establishes stock performance metrics using standardized benchmarks before any tuning. Provides the reference data needed to measure the impact of every change.

Lesson 2 • GPU Overclocking and Power Limits

Uses GPU tuning software to raise core clocks, memory clocks, and power limits safely. Validates gains with gaming and compute benchmarks.

Lesson 3 • CPU Overclocking Fundamentals

Covers multiplier adjustment, voltage settings, and stability testing for CPU overclocking. Students apply incremental tuning with safety limits to avoid hardware damage.

Lesson 4 • System-Level Power and Efficiency Tuning

Configures OS power plans, fan curves, and BIOS power features for performance or efficiency. Balances maximum output with noise, heat, and energy consumption goals.