From choosing your hardware to configuring your first deployment pipeline — a complete setup guide for developers.
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| Component | What It Does | Budget Pick | Mid-Range Pick |
|---|---|---|---|
| CPU Processor | The brain — handles all calculations | AMD Ryzen 5 5600 (~$120) | Intel Core i7-13700K (~$300) |
| Motherboard MOBO | Connects all components together | B550M (AMD) / B660 (Intel) (~$90) | X570 / Z690 (~$180) |
| RAM Memory | Short-term working memory | 16 GB DDR4 3200 (~$40) | 32 GB DDR5 5600 (~$90) |
| Storage (SSD) | Stores your OS, files, and games | 500 GB NVMe SSD (~$45) | 1 TB NVMe Gen4 SSD (~$80) |
| GPU Graphics Card | Renders visuals; important for gaming/video | RTX 3060 (~$250) | RTX 4070 (~$500) |
| PSU Power Supply | Supplies stable power to all components | 550W 80+ Bronze (~$55) | 750W 80+ Gold (~$90) |
| Case | Houses all components; affects airflow | Budget Mid-Tower (~$50) | NZXT H5 Flow / Fractal (~$90) |
| CPU Cooler | Keeps CPU temperature in check | Stock cooler (included) | Noctua NH-U12S (~$65) |
Clear a large, flat surface. Have a Phillips #2 screwdriver ready. Unbox all components and lay them out. Keep anti-static bags nearby.
Lift the CPU socket lever, align the CPU's triangle marker with the socket corner, lower gently — never press. Close the lever. Apply thermal paste (pea-sized dot) if not pre-applied on cooler.
Check your motherboard manual for the correct slots (usually A2 + B2 for dual channel). Press firmly until both clips click.
Attach the mounting bracket per cooler instructions. Seat the cooler on the CPU, tighten screws in an X pattern (opposite corners alternating). Connect fan to CPU_FAN header.
Slot the M.2 drive at a 30° angle, press flat, secure with the tiny screw. Check your board's manual for the correct M.2 slot.
Install motherboard standoffs in the case (match to your board's screw holes). Slot the I/O shield into the back of the case first, then carefully lower the board and screw it down.
Slide the PSU into the bottom of the case (fan facing down toward a vent). Route cables behind the motherboard tray for clean airflow.
ATX 24-pin motherboard power, CPU 8-pin (or 4+4-pin) EPS power, PCIe 6+2-pin for GPU, SATA power for HDDs/SSDs.
Slot the GPU into the top PCIe x16 slot, press until it clicks. Remove the corresponding case slot covers. Connect PCIe power connectors.
Power button, reset button, HDD LED, power LED, USB headers, audio header. Refer to your motherboard manual for pin positions (front panel header).
Before closing the case, connect a monitor, keyboard, and plug in. Press power button. If fans spin and you see a POST screen — success! If not, check the troubleshoot guide.
Spam Delete or F2 as soon as you power on. The exact key varies by motherboard brand.
Enable XMP (Intel) or EXPO (AMD) to run your RAM at its rated speed. Without this, RAM runs at a slower JEDEC speed.
Go to Boot settings and make sure your SSD is the first boot device. For OS install, put USB first temporarily.
Press F10 (or use the Save & Exit menu) to save changes and reboot.
On another PC, download Windows 11 Media Creation Tool from Microsoft. Run it, select "USB flash drive" (8 GB minimum).
Insert USB, start your new PC, boot from USB (press F11/F12 for boot menu). Select the USB drive.
Follow the on-screen wizard. Select "Custom install", choose your SSD, and let Windows install. It will reboot a few times.
After Windows is set up, install chipset drivers from your motherboard manufacturer's site, then GPU drivers from NVIDIA/AMD.
A budget developer workstation — AMD Ryzen 5, 16 GB RAM, 512 GB SSD. Perfect for web development, scripting, and local AI experiments.
A capable mid-range developer workstation — Ryzen 7 or Intel i5, 32 GB RAM, fast NVMe SSD. Handles full-stack dev, Docker containers, and moderate AI workloads.
A professional developer workstation — high-core-count CPU, 64 GB RAM, fast GPU for AI/ML tasks, multiple NVMe drives. Built for serious development work.
Common questions from developers setting up their environment