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Many people think that building a computer is a specialized skill when it’s really something that anyone can do. They imagine a tech nerd hunched over a workbench with a soldering iron in hand, putting together a printed circuit board by hand. The good news is that you don’t need to solder to build a computer. Most custom PC parts are very standardized and all you need to do is find the correct spot on your motherboard and plug them in.

What Are the Standard Sockets on a Motherboard?

There are four main types of inputs that you’ll be interacting with on your motherboard. The CPU socket, the RAM slots, the SATA connectors, and the PCI slots. You’ll also need to find the correct inputs for the various plugs that deliver power to your system.

None of these components require a soldering iron or unique skills to slot parts in. They’re all standardized and you can just read the manuals included with the parts to learn how to connect them to each other. For more information on building a computer, check out my quick start guide to finding all the parts you need to build a computer.