Weather you are a kid or an adult and want to learn about computers for the first time, Check out this very informative series of free lessons by Carol Welch at Kids Domain
There are alot of other resources here as well for the whole family copy and paste this link to your browser http://www.kidsdomain.com
 
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Steps

1. Outline the benefits you're seeking from building your own computer. Different configurations suit different purposes:
   
   
   • Basic System. Nothing special, just some good parts from solid brands.
   • Home System. More RAM and a slightly better CPU for that added boost.
   • A Gamer's Rig. You'll need a killer graphics card, and a lot of RAM.
   • Music Producer. Specialist sound cards offer lots of features and multi-channels.
   • Video Editing Suite. Your processor, hard drive, and memory (some situations graphics card too) are used extensively.
   • Server System. You need a really powerful rig that can shift large amounts of data 24/7.
   
   
2. Choose your setup. The cost implications of choosing between these uses are huge. A cheap work computer might cost only two or three hundred. A server can reach tens of thousands. Take the advice of experienced users in your field. Spend no more than is required for your usage. Ignore salesmen or others who implore you to waste money on unneeded upgrades. Refer to the table below for guidelines.
3. Select your hardware. Review the Things You Will need section below to determine what to obtain for your computer. Consult the many forums on the Web for people who enjoy building their own computer systems. Post what you are planning on building, and ask for suggestions. Many people on forums are more than willing to make sure that you have chosen parts that are good, and that the overall computer will work.
4. Make sure the parts you have selected will work together. Almost all good computer parts websites have detailed lists of specifications to view and check what type of connection the specific part uses. Usually this entails:
   • CPU socket-Motherboard socket (ex. 478, AM2)
   • Graphics card slot-Motherboard slot (ex. PCI-E, AGP)
   • Hard drive type-Motherboard connections (ex. SATA, PATA)
   • Case type-Motherboard type (ex. ATX, Micro-ATX)
   • PSU type-Case type (ex. ATX, Micro-ATX)
   • RAM type-Motherboard RAM supported (ex. DDR-400, PC-3200)
   • Monitor-Graphics card connection (ex. VGA, DVI)
   • Sound Card slot-Motherboard slot (ex. PCI)
   
   
5. Know where each part will go and how they will connect and disconnect from the socket/slot. This is crucial as incorrect placement can ruin computer components.
6. Connect your hardware according to the instructions that come with the motherboard. Don't leave the hardware on your floor for days while you figure out what you should do, as this may lead to electrostatic discharge which can damage or ruin computer components. Generally, this entails:
   • Attach the PSU (power supply unit) to the inside of the case, following the instructions included with the case (some cases might have this step completed).
   • Insert the processor into the motherboard. This is done by opening the ZIF socket, and carefully inserting the processor (little force needed). Then close the ZIF socket (more force needed).
   • Apply a good thermal paste to the CPU. Use a very small pea sized amount and spread it in a thin layer over the entire processor surface (or if this is an older Athlon series without the protective cover, only apply to the chip in the center of the processor board).
   • Attach the heat sink. This varies from heat sink to heat sink, so read the instructions.
   • Insert the RAM in the proper slots by opening the slots and pushing the RAM in until the little handles can lock it into position.
   • Attach the video card (if you have one ) and any other PCI cards into the motherboard.
   • Insert the motherboard into the case, and secure it and the expansion cards into place with screws. Be sure to use the included non-conductive washers so you don't short out or scratch your motherboard.
   • Insert the floppy drive, CD-ROM drives, and the hard drives. Connect them with the appropriate cables, either IDE or SATA.
   • Attach the power supply cables to the appropriate connectors in the computer (mother board, floppy drive, hard drive, fans, CD-ROM drive).
   • Use zip ties to carefully bundle all of the cables, and route them to prevent them from blocking the airflow.
   • Connect front panel connectors to the motherboard.
   
   
7. Plug in your computer. Turn on the computer and immediately open the CD drive. Put the CD for your operating system in the drive and close it. Restart your computer by pressing the power button until it shuts off and then push the power button again to turn the computer back on. Don't forget to turn your monitor on.
8. Check your motherboard manual for keys to use to start the "boot sequence" or "CMOS settings", or sometimes "BIOS settings". Click this button when the motherboard splash screen appears. Set your computer's CD/DVD drive as the first boot option. You may have to reboot your computer for these settings to take affect.
9. Follow the instructions to install your operating system. With most operating systems, this will include: Formatting the hard drive, configuring the boot loader, configuring the operating system, and finally installing the operating system. Once the operating system is installed, you're ready to go!

Tips

• The more preparation, research and careful selection of parts you do (and making it), the less proportion of your life you will spend making the darn thing work.
• If you feel overwhelmed, it's better to ask nicely and get an experienced geek to source the parts and build the machine. Individual hardware can have niggling incompatibilities that can ruin your user experience. Insist on years of experience. You'll be glad you did.
• This is a basic outline to build computers, but you still need an operating system (Windows, Mac, Linux). Most people have Windows and know it well, but Mac users are very happy with their incredible video and image editing abilities. They're also more user-friendly than Windows systems. However, you pay dearly for that user-friendliness, and you can't build your own computer to put Mac OS on it. Linux is great and free, but has a steep learning curve.
• Choose the right amount of memory. The correct amount and type of memory is crucial for system function and stability.

Warnings

• Use alcohol to clean the processor if you touch it with your skin, because the oils on your skin can compromise the connection between the ZIF socket and the processor.
• If you need to use force to insert the processor (do not close the socket), you may not have the correct processor for the motherboard. The processor should fit easily into the socket on the motherboard and should close securely.
• If a cable won't go in at first, check to make sure it's the right connection! Make sure the cable is also facing the right way up in some circumstances. Don't force them or you will just end up with broken hardware.
• Be careful of ESD (Electrostatic Discharge) when putting it together. Wear a static wristband (available from stores), or at least regularly ground yourself by touching a metal part of the case. Read the Related wikiHow on How to Avoid Destroying a Computer With Electrostatic Discharge.
• Double-check all connections before switching on the computer for the first time.
• Avoid spilling liquids over electronic components.
• When plugging in CPUs and PATA drives, watch out for the pins. If you bend one, you might make your life really difficult trying to save that expensive piece of hardware.

Things You'll Need

• Motherboard - The motherboard is basically the computer. Without it nothing happens. Everything connects into the motherboard, which makes it really important. Modern boards contain PCI-Express (PCI-E) slots that are much faster than the old PCI. Motherboard makers list compatible CPU and memory products online. Read them before making your CPU and memory selections. You might want to look at the processor an the motherboard at the same time. Make sure your motherboard has enough USB slots for all your peripherals.

• Processor (CPU) - This is the thing that makes the computer run, it does everything from running a game to adding 2+2. There is not a lot to think about in a CPU but there is one major decision. Intel or AMD. Up until recently, AMD showed better results in gaming and desktop computing, and Intel had better straightline speeds for data-crunching. Since the release of Intel's Core 2 Duo Processor line, however, it is beating AMD in all categories except for tests specifically designed to measure RAM access speed. However, either a Core 2 Duo or an Athlon will fill your needs, as long as you purchase a processor from either line that is powerful enough for your needs.

• Power Supply - Focal to the computer is the power supply itself, which obviously provides power to the computer. Power supplies are mainly rated by their power output in watts. Watts, however, aren't everything. A good quality 400 watt power supply from a reputable manufacturer will generally be a much better choice than a generic '550 watt' unit. If you get a case with the power supply included, then there's nothing you need to worry about.

• Hard Drive - The hard drive stores everything you'll need: the operating system and all other games that you are put on your computer. The only criteria for your hard drive is capacity and type. SATA, the current interface, offers RAID support and faster transfer speeds. All new motherboards are compatible with SATA hard drives. A 7200 RPM drive is crucial (anything less will bottleneck your entire system). Perpendicular Recording Technology is recommended for high capacity.

• RAM/Memory - Since the hard drive is slow to give information, a lot of information has to be stored in a place where it can be accessed fast. This is where the memory comes in. However, it is not a replacement to a hard drive because it is not a permanent memory. Sometimes more is better than faster, depending on what applications you want to use. RAM choice is dependent on the motherboard. Go with a stick of 512 MB DDR or DDR2 (depending on the motherboard) RAM as the bare minimum, but for anything other than office applications, you'll want at least 1GB.

• Additional Drives - In addition to the hard drive, you will also want to purchase a floppy drive and a CD/DVD Drive. The CD/DVD drive (optical drive) is an important removable media drive for CD's or DVD's. They are cheap and easy to install. All you have to consider is whether it burns CD's or not and whether it reads/writes DVD's. The most "able-bodied" CD/DVD drive is a combo drive. Floppy drives are becoming obsolete fast. Most new PCs don't come with one, but if you insist, insert it into your case by opening a side panel and putting it in a vacant bay. After doing so, use a connector from the power supply and a data cable from the motherboard.

• Graphics Card (GPU) - The graphics card is the gateway between your computer and your monitor. It determines how you will see your desktop and everything else you do on your computer. This means how fast you see it and the quality of what you're seeing. Unless your motherboard had built-in graphics, or you don't plan to do something graphically intensive (gaming, video editing, etc.) you should buy a graphics card. Your graphics card fits into either a PCI-E slot (the current graphics standard), or an AGP slot. If you are upgrading an older or low-end PC, there may be neither of these slots, in which case you will have to use an empty PCI slot to accommodate a PCI video card. These boards almost always have integrated video. In addition, you have to check the memory of the graphics card. The memory in the graphics card determines what you can do it with the card. Some programs need more memory to run. 128 MB is reccomended but 256 MB is better for gamers.

• Case - The case is the enclosure that holds your computer together. It protects your computer from dust and other things that may harm your computer. A mid-size, mini, or micro cube is fine for most users, but a full tower may be needed for servers or users who want a lot of space. The main thing you want to consider in your case is the fans that are in it. The more fans the cooler your computer will be. However, the more fans the more noisier your computer is. In addition, some cases have a Power Supply which will determine if you need to buy a separate one later. Also make sure the tiny box you'd like has enough space for hard drives, DVD recorders and that optional card reader. Running out of space is a pain.

• Monitor - The monitor is the display on which you will see your desktop and everything you do on your computer. The only thing you have to worry about is whether there are ports that will connect your computer's your monitor. For instance, most graphics cards have DVI ports instead of monitor ports while some only have monitor ports and not DVI ports. The description of the graphics card will tell you if it has a DVI port or not. You may want to get special features with your monitor, but that is completely up to you. CRTs, the large, box monitors, are still preferred by graphic artists for their reliability and color accuracy. However, LCDs are much sharper and will leave your desk less crowded. They also consume less power. It's mainly a money and personal preference decision.

• Keyboard & Mouse - There are expensive gaming and work sets available, for first-person-shooter (FPS) games or designing 3D. Just get a cheap set (wireless is good, less congested) for basic computing. A docking rechargeable mouse is great (no more battery changing!). If you love FPS games, then you should go with an optical mouse that has a nice feel and weight to it. If you have carpal tunnel syndrome then a trackball mouse might be best. They are slightly more expensive, but you don't have to move your wrist at all and you can place them anywhere (leg, table, arm of chair, anything).

• Sound card/headphones - Your sound card or headphones is the device that lets you hear the sounds of your computer. A sound card lets you have surround sound with a lot of speakers. However, headphones that you have a microphone built-in (headset). You can have either. But remember, if you get a sound card you also have to get speakers.

Recommendations

The following table is a general suggestion table for choosing parts. For basic, choose "Minimum". For home, choose "Performance". For gaming and sound production, choose "Power". Video Editing, extreme gaming computers, and servers need to choose "Ultimate". Keep in mind this table is very general and does not replace researching for specific parts.

	Minimum	Performance	Power	Ultimate
CPU	AMD Sempron, Intel Celeron	AMD Athlon, Intel Pentium	AMD Athlon X2, Intel Core 2 Duo	AMD Opteron/FX Intel Xeon/E.E.
RAM	256-512MB	512MB-1GB	1-2GB	2-4GB
Monitor	15-19 in.	17-21(widescreen) in.	19-24(widescreen) in.	21-30(widescreen) in.
Graphics Card	NVidia 6 series/ATI 9 series	NVidia 7 series	NVidia 7 series	NVidia Quadro/8 ATI FireGL/X1950
Case	Micro-ATX	ATX / Mid-Tower	ATX / Mid-Tower	ATX / Full tower
PSU	400 W	500 W	600 W	700 W
Hard Drive	80-120GB	100-200GB	200-400GB	400GB-1TB
CD Drive	CD burner	DVD drive/CD burner	DVD burner	DVD burner/Blu-ray drive