Build all-in-one PC yourself - how it works

By building an all-in-one PC yourself, you can get a customized PC that doesn't take up much space and looks good at the same time. In this practical tip, we will show you how to do it.

Build all-in-one PC yourself - the right hardware

First of all, you have to consider a few things when choosing the hardware, because not every monitor is compatible with every housing. Care should also be taken when choosing the power components:

• First you need a screen with a stable base and a VESA device for the wall bracket. Make sure that the stand is far enough away from the wall mounting device, because the housing of the computing unit will be attached to it later.
• To estimate this, it is important to know the dimensions and nature of the housing. Tip: Order the housing first and then test the compatibility with the monitor by holding the housing accordingly with the stand installed on the device for the wall bracket. VESA mounts are available in different sizes, so make sure that the dimensions of the device on the monitor match those of the housing.
• When choosing the components of your PC, you should also observe the specifications of the housing. Most all-in-one PC cases can only accommodate motherboards with the Micro-ATX form factor, which may not have particularly protruding parts such as radiator fins. When choosing the mainboard and processor, also note that you cannot install a graphics card and therefore an internal graphics chip must be available.
• Another problem is cooling: When choosing a processor, make sure that the processor emits as little heat as possible so that it can be cooled more easily. As a rule of thumb, the less electricity is used, the less energy is converted into heat.
• There are also cases that support an internal power supply and those that are optimized for an external power supply. You should also note that.
• Overall, your computer must not be too heavy, as otherwise the screen cannot be stable. You should also consider the additional weight of the computer on the back of the monitor when choosing.

Assemble your own all-in-one PC

First of all: If you do not already have experience in building your own PC systems, you should start with a normal tower PC. Depending on the housing, some steps can be reversed in order or even omitted.

• First, you need to attach the case to the monitor using the wall bracket. To do this, follow the instructions from the housing manufacturer to ensure that the housing is secure and may not fall off the screen.
• In most cases, a bracket is first attached to the VESA, to which the housing will later be attached. After you have attached them, you can attach the components to the other half of the housing that is to be attached.
• Only after this step are the components in the housing carefully mounted on the holder plate. Make sure that you place something under the monitor so that you do not injure the screen surface during assembly.
• Plug all the required cables into your PC. This is now ready for the installation of the operating system and the peripheral devices. If you have chosen a touchscreen PC, you will probably need to plug in a USB cable in addition to the display cable and install the appropriate drivers.

If you want to do without the effort of a home-made PC, we have put together a comparison of all-in-one PCs for you.