| Have you ever thought about building your own | | | | manufacturer got the best deal on that week. For |
| computer system? Maybe you've heard friends | | | | the true computer enthusiast, this is the only way to |
| talking about doing this sort of thing, but you were | | | | go! For me, just being able to pick the exact case I |
| never sure what was involved. This article attempts | | | | want makes the process worthwhile. |
| to answer two questions. First, why would you want | | | | Finally, computer systems that you built yourself are |
| to build your own computer system? Secondly, how | | | | much easier to repair than "mass market PC's". For |
| hard is it to do this? | | | | one thing, this is a computer system that you built. |
| Why Build a Computer System | | | | You know where everything is at, and what it is for. |
| First we will look at why you would want to build a | | | | Secondly, the computer system was built from |
| computer system. There are three main reasons | | | | common parts, so finding replacements will be easy. |
| often cited for building a computer system. The first | | | | Very often large computer manufacturers will build |
| is that it will save you a great deal of money. The | | | | computer systems with proprietary parts, which you |
| second is that you will get exactly the computer | | | | can only obtain from the computer manufacturer. |
| system that you want. And finally, the third reason is | | | | How Complex is it to Build a Computer |
| that you can easily repair the system if anything | | | | Building a computer system is not as complex as you |
| goes wrong. | | | | might think. The only tools that you will need are |
| Building a computer to save money is most likely not | | | | screwdrivers. If you have ever added an expansion |
| a realistic goal. These days you can get some really | | | | card to your computer, you are almost half-way to |
| inexpensive computer systems. With complete | | | | building your own system. |
| systems selling for under $500, it would be hard to | | | | The most complex part is making sure that |
| build a computer system yourself that is going to | | | | everything is compatible with everything else that |
| beat that price by much. | | | | you buy. You need to line up the specs exactly |
| However, there are some cost cutting options | | | | between your parts. For example, if you buy a |
| available. You might use many of the parts from your | | | | motherboard with DDR2 RAM memory, you need to |
| old computer system. This would save money, as | | | | make sure your RAM is DDR2. This article has an |
| there is probably no reason to replace such devices | | | | extensive description of what components are |
| as the CD-ROM drive, floppy drive, or even case of | | | | compatible. |
| the old computer system. | | | | Once you get all of the required components |
| Additionally, once you have built your computer | | | | together you have only to assemble your new |
| system, you can easily upgrade it. A computer | | | | computer. You will have purchased a case, |
| system you built yourself can always be upgraded | | | | motherboard, RAM, hard drive, CD-ROM drives, |
| more easily than a "mass market PC". For example, if | | | | floppy drive, video card and audio card. Now you |
| you need a faster processor just upgrade the | | | | have only to assemble them. This usually takes only a |
| processor and/or motherboard. | | | | few hours and no tools other than the screwdrivers |
| I think the biggest reason for building your own | | | | you likely already own. Plus, it is very hard to damage |
| computer system is the second reason that I | | | | anything. Most cables are keyed so that you are not |
| previously mentioned. You are able to get exactly | | | | able to plug them in backwards. |
| the computer system that you want. If you want a | | | | Are you ready to get started building a computer |
| certain type of graphics card, you can select it. You | | | | system? To completely describe the process is |
| can pick the RAM that has the best access time for | | | | beyond the scope of this article. |
| the money, and not what some large computer | | | | |