For nearly all users, pre-built computers get the job done. However, for users who want a high performance machine without breaking the budget, building your own computer can be a relatively inexpensive solution. Although the job may seem daunting, putting together your own computer can be much simpler than it seems.
There are some good reasons why someone might not be satisfied with the typical PCs available on the market. If you are a gamer, for example, you may need a high performance graphics card. A good GPU is necessary to play the majority of cutting edge video games. These cards are rarely expensive but are left out of many manufacturer’s builds. Gaming parts are typically built into much more costly machines. As if this weren’t enough, many computers don’t come with a power supply 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 pre-built system. However, if you’re willing to put together a system from scratch, you will have a fairly easy time buying a powerful box at a low price, and you won’t have to deal with the irritation of a slow computer.
Building your own powerhouse computer is less difficult than it may appear at first. You only need a few basic parts. The short list includes a power supply, motherboard, processor, case, hard drive, and DVD drive. RAM is another necessity. If you want high performance graphics, you can include a video card in your plan. There are other optional hardware components to choose from as well. Buying your own parts allows you to customize your system to run the programs that you prefer. This can save quite a bit of money. Manufacturers have to try to please everyone, and so they tend to include hardware that might exceed the requirements you need in one category while failing to provide quality components in another.
The power supply is a particularly underrated piece of hardware. Future upgrades will only be made possible by having a strong power supply. A weak or already somewhat obsolete power supply will not provide enough electricity to meet the requirements of new hardware components six months to a year down the line. This is also true of the motherboard; it holds the key to compatibility with high performance processors. You should choose a quality motherboard that has good upgrade potential. Your processor and motherboard must be compatible, otherwise your entire system will not function. 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 proper 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. It would be wise to purchase an anti-static wrist bracelet, too. Static electricity can damage your valuable computer parts. Since an anti-static wrist bracelet costs so little, it’s a good investment to make.
Putting together 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. Take note of the shapes of each connector, they are specifically designed only to fit into the correct socket. Never try to force a part that does not look like it matches the slot you are attempting to fit it in. You should leave a little room in the budget for unexpected expenses; your first build might involve some accidental damage to parts. Don’t dispose of any of the packaging or receipts for your hardware until you have put together and tested your machine. You may find that certain parts do not function together, or one or two parts may suffer from manufacturing problems that render them non-functional. Any such parts must be replaced with working, compatible equivalents.
When you have finally finished your first build, you will have a high performance computer and a sense of accomplishment. It will also be much easier for you to upgrade in the future. While most consumers will be satisfied with pre-built computers, the user with specialized needs will find this strategy much cheaper.
Since computer repair is our business here at Geek Choice, we spend a lot of time looking inside computers, testing parts, and resolving compatibility problems. If you run into any problems while putting together your own computer, whether it’s trying to pick out the right case for your needs or troubleshooting a newly assembled machine that won’t boot, don’t hesitate to give us a call at 1-800-GEEK-HELP (433-5435) for advice or on-site support for all your tech needs.
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