Assembly 101
You might have heard a horror story or two about someone who tried to build a PC and ended up being sucked through a black hole into another dimension. When you announce to the world that you’re going to build your own computer, you’re likely to face a number of common myths:
 “Why, you have to be practically psychic about how machinery works to stick your hands inside a computer!” Wrong. In fact, you don’t have to know how any of the components work, so you don’t have to be an expert in laser optics, magnetism, or electronic theory. You just need to connect the parts together correctly and attach them to the motherboard and computer case.
 “You can’t build a computer on a card table, you know. You’re going to need an airstrip, a complete toolkit, and a warehouse full of parts.” Nope. You can not only assemble a computer on your dining room table but also do so with no special tools. Find your favorite screwdriver, and you’re a lean, mean, computer-assembling machine.
 “It’s going to take you years to put together a computer. Heck, by the time you’re finished, your computer will already be out of date.” Depends on how long it takes. No, no — just kidding! This myth is definitely false. If you have all your components ready to go, assembling a PC is a first-time project that you can easily finish during a long weekend.
 “Something’s not going to work with something else. You’ll see.” Wrong again. (Geez, who are these people? They probably still think that airplanes will never get off the ground.) Today’s computer components are designed to work with each other. Regardless of what brand name you buy or how much you spend, if you buy a standard computer device, it should join in that big cooperative team effort that makes a working computer.