| Years ago, building your own computer was a virtually | | | | not come with a warranty. The third and usually best |
| nonexistent option. Parts were hard to come by, and if | | | | option is to buy parts from an online retailer. Good |
| you managed to find what you needed, chances were | | | | online retailers carry the most up to date and newest |
| together the parts would cost more than simply buying | | | | products and offer them at lower prices than available |
| a computer prebuilt. The good news is, building your | | | | at most any retail store, such as Best Buy. Many |
| own computer is now a viable option, and can often | | | | orders also qualify for free shipping and one almost |
| be the best one. | | | | never has to pay tax. |
| There are countless profound benefits to building a | | | | When one thinks of building a computer they often |
| custom pc. One of the biggest is due to the fact that | | | | misconceive that it is a complicated and risky feat, |
| you get to choose the parts that go into it. This | | | | when in fact it is not. It consists of simply purchasing |
| ensures that every part purchased and assembled is | | | | and assembling the parts and installing the software. |
| of the highest quality (or not so much if you are on a | | | | Here is a list of the basic components needed to build |
| budget). Computer companies, such as Toshiba and | | | | a computer; |
| Dell to name a few, often skimp on the parts inside the | | | | - Processor (CPU) |
| computer leaving you with a machine that is unreliable | | | | - Motherboard |
| and overpriced. Choosing your own components also | | | | - Hard Drive |
| means the computer you assemble will have all the | | | | - RAM (Random Access Memory) |
| parts to meet your needs; no more and no less. Often, | | | | - Video (Graphics) Card |
| prebuilt computers may come with unnecessary | | | | - Sound Card |
| accessories or components that you don't really need | | | | - Optical (CD/DVD) Drive |
| but still have to pay for. Choosing your own parts | | | | - Case |
| allows you to be in control of what your computer can | | | | - PSU (Power Supply Unit) |
| do. Another important and appealing benefit is that of | | | | - Keyboard and Mouse |
| cost. | | | | These parts can be bought individually, or in a bare |
| A custom build pc can almost always be cheaper than | | | | bones kit; or a package containing all the compatible |
| a prebuilt computer if one chooses the components | | | | parts needed. A sound card and/or video card can |
| correctly. It is possible to build a computer for two | | | | even be avoided upon purchase of a motherboard |
| thirds the price or better of a nearly identical machine | | | | with these components built in (on-board), but a |
| you might find at a retail store. Building a computer is | | | | discrete graphics card is highly recommended. Keep in |
| also a great option for gamers. It allows them to | | | | mind that this is a very basic list and most would want |
| customize their computer to better suit the needs of | | | | to add a few more optional components to further |
| the graphic-intensive and high-demanding games of | | | | customize their PC, but the above would build a |
| today and tomorrow. With a little research, a gamer | | | | working computer. Before going about building a PC, it |
| could build a lightning fast pc with dual, top of the line | | | | is important to research carefully all that needs to be |
| graphic cards for what would seem like dirt cheap | | | | done. Also, make sure to research the different parts, |
| compared to retail price. Finally, an often overlooked | | | | their functions, and what specifications meet your |
| benefit of building a custom pc is the amount of | | | | needs before you buy. Verify that all the chosen parts |
| knowledge and experience one could gain from doing | | | | are compatible and work well together. |
| so. Never having built a computer before, one could | | | | A common misconception is that building a computer is |
| double their knowledge in a pc's workings and have a | | | | not worth the time. Usually, people think that putting |
| very enjoyable time doing so. | | | | something as complicated as a pc together takes |
| There are many ways to obtain the parts needed to | | | | days, if not weeks. A custom built computer should |
| build a custom pc. One good option is to visit a local | | | | take only a few hours to assemble for first-timers, and |
| computer store. The biggest benefit of this method of | | | | experienced computer builders can do it in less than an |
| obtaining parts is that the customer actually has the | | | | hour. As long as research is done beforehand, anyone |
| option to speak to an expert (hopefully) face to face. | | | | building a computer should be able to do so in a very |
| A second option would be to purchase parts from an | | | | reasonable amount of time. |
| online auction site, such as eBay. On these sites, it is | | | | All said, building a custom pc is a great option for |
| possible to find components at very low prices, but | | | | anybody, whether they need a simple, cheap |
| one must be leery of the quality of product they are | | | | computer for checking their email or whether they |
| receiving. Also, many of these parts may have been | | | | need a top-of-the-line high performance pc to handle |
| previously used in another computer. It is strongly | | | | the latest and greatest games. The benefits of doing |
| advised to buy computer parts new, as used products | | | | so are endless, and the experience and knowledge |
| have a much higher tendency to break down and do | | | | gained is priceless. |