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 number of good reasons why you might not be satisfied with the standard builds available on the market. If you play a lot of computer games, for example, you may require a high end graphics card in your computer. A good GPU is needed to play many new video games. These cards are rarely expensive but are simply left out of many manufacturer's systems. Gaming parts are usually included in much more expensive machines. To make matters worse, many computers don't have a power supply strong enough to run a quality video card. For someone who wants to play video games on a budget, this meanssome serious hardware work for an inexpensive pre-built system. However, if you're willing to put together a computer from scratch, you will have a very easy time buying a powerful rig at a low price, and you won't have to deal with the irritation 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 particularly underrated piece of hardware. Future upgrades will be made possible by having a good quality power supply. The same is true of the motherboard, a poor or outdated motherboard will not be compatible with high performance processors when it is time to upgrade. You should choose a motherboard that has good upgrade potential. Your processor and motherboard must be compatible. If you invest most 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 necessary depending on the hardware you've selected. It would be a good idea to purchase an anti-static wrist bracelet, too. Static electricity can damage your valuable computer hardware. Since an anti-static wrist bracelet is so inexpensive, it's a good investment to make.
Assembling the computer will be a bit of a undertaking 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 throw away any of the packaging or receipts for the components until you have and tested your PC. You may find that certain parts do not work together despite appearing to be compatible, or a few parts may suffer from manufacturing errors that render them non-functional. Any such parts will need to be replaced with working, compatible equivalents.
Once you have finished your first build, you will have an excellent, personalized computer and a sense of accomplishment. It will also be much easier for you to upgrade in the future. While the vast majority of consumers will be satisfied with pre-built computers, the user with specialized needs will find this strategy much cheaper.
There are a number of good reasons why you might not be satisfied with the standard builds available on the market. If you play a lot of computer games, for example, you may require a high end graphics card in your computer. A good GPU is needed to play many new video games. These cards are rarely expensive but are simply left out of many manufacturer's systems. Gaming parts are usually included in much more expensive machines. To make matters worse, many computers don't have a power supply strong enough to run a quality video card. For someone who wants to play video games on a budget, this meanssome serious hardware work for an inexpensive pre-built system. However, if you're willing to put together a computer from scratch, you will have a very easy time buying a powerful rig at a low price, and you won't have to deal with the irritation 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 particularly underrated piece of hardware. Future upgrades will be made possible by having a good quality power supply. The same is true of the motherboard, a poor or outdated motherboard will not be compatible with high performance processors when it is time to upgrade. You should choose a motherboard that has good upgrade potential. Your processor and motherboard must be compatible. If you invest most 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 necessary depending on the hardware you've selected. It would be a good idea to purchase an anti-static wrist bracelet, too. Static electricity can damage your valuable computer hardware. Since an anti-static wrist bracelet is so inexpensive, it's a good investment to make.
Assembling the computer will be a bit of a undertaking 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 throw away any of the packaging or receipts for the components until you have and tested your PC. You may find that certain parts do not work together despite appearing to be compatible, or a few parts may suffer from manufacturing errors that render them non-functional. Any such parts will need to be replaced with working, compatible equivalents.
Once you have finished your first build, you will have an excellent, personalized computer and a sense of accomplishment. It will also be much easier for you to upgrade in the future. While the vast majority of consumers will be satisfied with pre-built computers, the user with specialized needs will find this strategy much cheaper.
About the Author:
Gregg Housh works at Geek Choice, a nationwide Computer Repair company. At Geek Choice we solve computer problems such as: Slow computer, Virus Removal, and much more.
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