| There are both advantages and disadvantages to | | | | Different uses require different priorities. Gamers want |
| building your own computer. Building, instead of buying | | | | great sound, top flight graphics processing and plenty |
| a computer can make a lot of sense under the right | | | | of processor power. A photographer may require |
| set of circumstances. It can also be a waste of time | | | | absurd amounts of disk space and RAM. The point is, |
| and money under the wrong ones. | | | | start out knowing what you want to use the computer |
| The primary benefits to building your own computer | | | | for and then research your parts list from there. |
| can come in the areas of price, component selection, | | | | The case must be able to accommodate all the |
| and customization. Although the overall price differential | | | | components you select, including extra fans. And |
| for a basic PC is not as great as it used to be thanks | | | | remember to plan ahead so that you build in the ability |
| to the low cost mass produced machines now | | | | to expand and upgrade your computer in the future. |
| available, you can still get a lot more performance from | | | | This is another huge advantage to building your own |
| the individual components for the same price. | | | | PC as most ready made computers allow very little in |
| If you only need an entry level, bargain basement PC, | | | | the way of potential for expansion. With a little |
| buy one off the shelf. However, anyone who wants | | | | forethought, you'll find that the computer you build will |
| more than the basics and is interested in the challenge | | | | suit your needs for years by allowing you to upgrade |
| should consider building their own. Essentially, building | | | | as needed. |
| your own PC allows you to upgrade every | | | | From there you can customize a homemade PC |
| component on your machine over those you would | | | | anyway you'd like. You are only limited by your |
| get in a comparable pre-made computer and spend | | | | imagination. Lights, clear cases or towers and high end |
| slightly less in the process. | | | | outer hardware are all available and inexpensive. |
| There are two strategies that can be used to exploit | | | | So what are some of the disadvantages? Well, |
| this advantage depending on the user's need. First, you | | | | frankly, it can be a pain if you aren't organized and |
| can build a top of the line gaming PC or other high | | | | have a difficult time maintaining a clean and orderly |
| performance computer for a lot less than it would cost | | | | work area. Also, it is fairly common that at least one of |
| you to buy a comparable PC already built. Alternately, | | | | the components you purchase will have some sort of |
| you could spend the cost of a stripped down entry | | | | malfunction right out of the box. When this happens, |
| level computer, and build one that is several steps up in | | | | troubleshooting the problem can be potentially tricky |
| quality and performance. | | | | depending on the problem. For example, it's pretty |
| Building a computer is not as difficult as it may seem, | | | | easy to determine that you got a bad power supply, |
| or as you've perhaps been lead to believe. If you can | | | | but a bad RAM module might not be as immediately |
| use a screwdriver, snap components into place, follow | | | | evident. |
| instructions and exercise care in the process, you can | | | | And remember that you'll have to buy the operating |
| build a computer. Don't let anyone tell you any | | | | system and this can amount to a significant portion of |
| differently. The most difficult part of the entire project | | | | your overall expense. Despite these drawbacks in the |
| is selecting the components and understanding their | | | | end, building your own computer is a very satisfying |
| performance capacity and how that relates to the | | | | project that allows you to own a high end machine for |
| other components and to your intended purpose. | | | | the cost of a mass produced ordinary machine. |