The Joys of Putting Together Your Own Computer

Written by Gregg Housh

Thursday, 10 December 2009 08:59

by GreggHoush

For a huge percentage users, pre-built PCs deliver enough bang for their buck. However, for people who want to buy a top end machine without breaking the budget, building your own computer can be a cost-effective solution. Although the job may seem daunting, assembling your own computer can be much simpler than it seems.

There are a few good reasons why you might not be satisfied with the usual systems available on the market. If you are a gamer, for example, you will probably need a high end graphics card in your computer. A high end GPU is needed to play many cutting edge video games. These cards are not too pricey but are just left out of many manufacturer's standard computers. Gaming optimized hardware are typically included in much more costly machines. Even worse, many computers don't have a power supply that is strong enough to run a quality video card. For someone who wants to play video games on a budget, this means performing some serious surgery on a low cost off-the-shelf computer. However, if you're willing to assemble a computer from scratch, you will have a reasonably easy time buying a powerful setup at a low price, and you won't have to deal with the frustration of a slow computer.

Building your powerhouse computer is a simpler process than it might appear. You only really need a couple basic parts. You need a power supply, motherboard, processor, case, hard drive, and DVD drive. RAM is required as well. If you want high quality graphics, you can include a video card in your build. There are many more optional hardware components to consider as well. Buying your own pieces allows you to customize your system to run the software that you prefer. This can save quite a bit of money. Manufacturers tend to include hardware that might exceed the requirements you need in one category while failing to meet your hardware needs in another.

The power supply is a critically underrated component. Future upgrades will be made possible by having a strong power supply. The same is true of the motherboard, it holds the key to compatibility with high performance processors when it is time to upgrade. You should choose a quality motherboard that has good upgrade potential. Your processor and motherboard must be compatible. If you invest the bulk of your budget in those two pieces, you will be able to upgrade very easily in the future.

Once you have purchased your parts, make sure that you have the tools to assemble your computer. You will probably only need a small phillips-head screwdriver, but other tools may be required depending on the hardware you've selected. You can ask at the store or a representative online whether you will need additional tools when you purchase your parts. It would be a good investment to purchase an anti-static wrist bracelet, too. Static electricity can damage your valuable computer components. Since an anti-static wrist bracelet costs so little, it's a good investment to make.

Assembling the computer will be a bit of a challenge for the first-timer. Have patience. Carefully read the instructions that come with each component. Watch a few instructional videos. It may be helpful to have a second person available to help you match up the appropriate connectors or to refer to instructions while you are putting together pieces. You should leave a little room in the budget for unexpected expenses, your first build might involve some accidental damage to parts. Don't get rid of any of the packaging or receipts for the components until you have assembled and tested your computer. You may find that some parts do not work together, or a few parts may suffer from manufacturing errors that prevent them from working at all. Any such parts will need to be replaced with working, compatible equivalents.

When you have finally finished your first machine, you will have a high performance computer and a sense of accomplishment. It will also be very easy for you to upgrade in the future. While the vast majority of consumers will be sated with pre-built computers, the user with high performance needs will find this strategy much cheaper.

About the Author:

Gregg Housh is the Technician Manager at Geek Choice a Computer Repair company. Geek Choice solves computer problems such as: Slow computer, Virus Removal, and much more.