There are a number of components that are required to make a functional computer; some others are optional or just luxuries. These are all outlined below for your shopping list.

Please note that this is just an item list to show you what components you need, and not a definitive guide to each available component. Also, some peripherals such as printers and scanners are not listed – these will be covered in a different article.

Required
These components are a must – they are needed for the computer to work at all.

• Computer case
• PSU (if not included with the case)
• Motherboard
• CPU
• Heatsink and fan (if not included with CPU)
• Memory
• Hard drive
• CD-Rom drive
• Keyboard and mouse * (depending on use of PC)
• Monitor * (depending on use of PC)
• Graphics card * (if not included on motherboard)

Optional
The optional components add extra functionality to your PC, but are not required for you to be able to use it.

• Floppy drive
• CDRW CD-Rom drive
• Modem
• Network card
• Sound card (if not included on the motherboard)
• Speakers.

Luxuries
Things that are basically a luxury – this can be difficult to quantify as some people regard what are luxuries and what are not differently.

• DVD-Rom drive
• DVD-RW drive
• Wireless keyboard and mouse
• Graphics card with TV in and/or out
• Sound card with 5.1 Dolby Digital (or higher) output

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