Have you ever thought about building your own computer system? Maybe you've heard friends talking about doing this sort of thing, but you were never sure what was involved. This article attempts to answer two questions. First, why would you want to build your own computer system? Secondly, how hard is it to do this?
Why Build a Computer System
First we will look at why you would want to build a computer system. There are three main reasons often cited for building a computer system. The first is that it will save you a great deal of money. The second is that you will get exactly the computer system that you want. And finally, the third reason is that you can easily repair the system if anything goes wrong.
Building a computer to save money is most likely not a realistic goal. These days you can get some really inexpensive computer systems. With complete systems selling for under $500, it would be hard to build a computer system yourself that is going to beat that price by much.
However, there are some cost cutting options available. You might use many of the parts from your old computer system. This would save money, as there is probably no reason to replace such devices as the CD-ROM drive, floppy drive, or even case of the old computer system.
Additionally, once you have built your computer system, you can easily upgrade it. A computer system you built yourself can always be upgraded more easily than a "mass market PC". For example, if you need a faster processor just upgrade the processor and/or motherboard.
I think the biggest reason for building your own computer system is the second reason that I previously mentioned. You are able to get exactly the computer system that you want. If you want a certain type of graphics card, you can select it. You can pick the RAM that has the best access time for the money, and not what some large computer manufacturer got the best deal on that week. For the true computer enthusiast, this is the only way to go! For me, just being able to pick the exact case I want makes the process worthwhile.
Finally, computer systems that you built yourself are much easier to repair than "mass market PC's". For one thing, this is a computer system that you built. You know where everything is at, and what it is for. Secondly, the computer system was built from common parts, so finding replacements will be easy. Very often large computer manufacturers will build computer systems with proprietary parts, which you can only obtain from the computer manufacturer.
How Complex is it to Build a Computer
Building a computer system is not as complex as you might think. The only tools that you will need are screwdrivers. If you have ever added an expansion card to your computer, you are almost half-way to building your own system.
The most complex part is making sure that everything is compatible with everything else that you buy. You need to line up the specs exactly between your parts. For example, if you buy a motherboard with DDR2 RAM memory, you need to make sure your RAM is DDR2.
Once you get all of the required components together you have only to assemble your new computer. You will have purchased a case, motherboard, RAM, hard drive, CD-ROM drives, floppy drive, video card and audio card. Now you have only to assemble them. This usually takes only a few hours and no tools other than the screwdrivers you likely already own. Plus, it is very hard to damage anything. Most cables are keyed so that you are not able to plug them in backwards.
Heaton Research has a complete tutorial, including many photos, of how to build your own computer system.
Jeff Heaton is an author, college instructor, and consultant. Jeff lives in Chesterfield (St. Louis), Missouri. The author of four books and over two dozen journal and magazine articles, Jeff specializes in Internet, socket-level/spidering and Artificial Intelligence programming. A Sun Certified Java Programmer and a member of the IEEE Jeff holds a Masters Degree in Information Management from Washington University in St. Louis.
![]() |
|
![]() |
|
![]() |
|
![]() |
Freezing is also known as crashing or hanging. It's frustrating.... Read More
This is not your typical lost data story. I was... Read More
How can you compare mp3 players to be sure you're... Read More
I have a p3 500MHz PC with 128MB RAM, 10.2... Read More
1. Empty the Temp directory regularly. To do this, make... Read More
As the Web grows more crowded and just plain "noisy"... Read More
Most people download and save so much information on their... Read More
"Aaaaaahhhhhh! I've been invaded by a virus!" Getting a virus... Read More
So you got yourself a digital camcorder. If you want... Read More
Computers have replaced typewriters, but two-finger, hunt-and-peck typing can never... Read More
ComputersBusinesses and individuals alike have all grown to rely on... Read More
Peoples' private information needs to stay private, even after it... Read More
I have always been interested in computers, but in the... Read More
Sometimes your PC will start acting strange for no apparent... Read More
Although there are many things that can affect the performance... Read More
Computers are supposed to speed up our productivity?to help us... Read More
Have you ever tried to remove Spyware off your PC... Read More
OK, so you caught a computer virus and your system... Read More
Getting started with video editing is very simple you only... Read More
I do a holiday letter every year and send them... Read More
One of the most common questions computer users ask is,... Read More
Each of the items in the checklist below is part... Read More
CCNA FAQQ. What exams do I have to take to... Read More
Perhaps not yet, but the handwriting might be on the... Read More
If you've been kicking around the idea of building your... Read More
The battle is heating up for market share, home movie... Read More
All over the world, people carry with them walkmans and... Read More
By using your computer today you can find a lot... Read More
Computer related terminology could sometimes be daunting to newcomers. These... Read More
World War II - Germany decided to attack Poland. Poland... Read More
Viruses, software failures, power failures, human errors, hard drive failures... Read More
Here are some tips on how to use screensavers:First of... Read More
IF WE say that it was mainly because of the... Read More
JVC developed and used a high-performance reflective film to produce... Read More
Are you thinking of buying an Apple iPod? Or have... Read More
In the first part of this home lab tutorial, CCNA... Read More
Save money. Save 10-15% on utility bills per month. Work... Read More
Surf the 'Net for about 10 minutes and chances rate... Read More
Stimulus thru Caffiene or Visual Input?It appears that the Mobi... Read More
It's free, it comes with Windows and it's used by... Read More
Get started creating web pages using text files and HTML... Read More
Tip #1. Do a Google search. Don't be to general... Read More
Not sure what Windows registry is or how it works?... Read More
After another security hole recently surfaced in Microsoft's Windows operating... Read More
1. Empty the Temp directory regularly. To do this, make... Read More
Your first step in removing dangerous infections from your computer... Read More
I'm eighty-one years old and I bought my first computer... Read More
Computer is an electronic machine work on the instructions of... Read More
So you got yourself a digital camcorder. If you want... Read More
Here are some tips on how to use screensavers:First of... Read More
Are you frustrated with your PC?Is it feeling sluggish or... Read More
Flow Text Around a GraphicQuestion: I have inserted a photo... Read More
When you think of a help desk, what do you... Read More
I met an entrepreneur who hole heartedly disagree with an... Read More
Feeling overwhelmed in selecting a new TV? With all the... Read More
Many computer users are worried about their computer's performance. After... Read More
How can you compare mp3 players to be sure you're... Read More
Maintaining your computer is extremely important ? especially if you... Read More
So I'll start from the very beginning.One day I was... Read More
I recently took a good look at what was keeping... Read More
IntroOne of the big advantages of PCs over earlier types... Read More
So you've got some spyware, ad-ware, or viruses on your... Read More
CCNA FAQQ. What exams do I have to take to... Read More
Do you remember the old saw about how computers would... Read More
IntroductionMac OS X is the most technologically advanced operating system... Read More
Passwords have a strange dual nature. The stronger and safer... Read More
Personal Technology |