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How to Build a Computer

While building a computer from scratch may have once sounded attractive only to hard core computer geeks, assembling a new computer from brand new parts is getting more and more popular.

The Internet is full of websites that detail how to build a personal computer, and the parts you need to assemble a computer are cheap and readily available both online and at retail electronic super stores nationwide.

While retailers like Dell deliver ready-made computers, complete with warranties, straight to your door, building an entire computer from scratch can save a computer enthusiast hundreds of dollars on a computer that is also functionally superior to a retail computer.

By understanding the inner workings of their computer, people who assemble their own computers are also better prepared to deal with computer problems when they arise, instinctively knowing what went wrong and how to fix it.

The Basic Components of a Personal Computer
In order to begin the process of building a home PC from scratch, a working knowledge of the components of the average PC is essential. The list of the basic components of a PC include:

• case with power supply
• CD-ROM, CD-RW, DVD-ROM or DVD-RW drive
• hard drive
• monitor, keyboard and mouse (optional, since you can often use your old ones)
• motherboard
• processor
• RAM (memory chip)
• software
• sound card (optional, as many motherboards now come with internal sound cards)
• speakers
• video card.

There are differences in price, performance and reliability for every part listed, but that is the attraction of building your own computer: the power to mix and match components for superior performance at a fraction of the cost of retail computers.

How Much Computer Do You Need?
The first step to take before navigating the maze of part suppliers and assembling your computer is to decide exactly what you want to do with your computer and how much money you have to spend.

Some people just need a barebones computer to perform basic business tasks, send and receive e-mails and surf the Internet. For these people, building a PC from scratch will allow them to have a computer that is both very affordable and very reliable because they are not paying for a lot of extra features that they don’t need and will never use.

On the other hand, some people use their computers extensively for business, playing video games, uploading and editing video clips and music or other tasks that demand a great deal more performance from their computer. Building a high-performance computer requires purchasing more expensive components.

But for people who need a high performance computer, the cost savings for a high-performance homemade PC is even greater than the cost savings for a bare bones computer.

Assembling the Computer
Once you have the parts, building the computer is a straightforward process of plugging the right components into the right receptacles and plugging cables into their proper plugs.

Industry standards make most of the parts and receptacles from different OEM (original equipment manufacturers) components interchangeable, so one can, theoretically, buy each component from a different manufacturer, put them all together and get it to work perfectly.

On the other hand, many parts are bundled together, such as motherboard and processor packages, so using these bundles can reduce costs and the chances of installing incompatible parts.

Be sure to follow the instructions provided with each part and to take steps to avoid static electricity, which can destroy computer parts. If you need further assistance in building the computer or loading software and don't have a computer expert for a best friend, there are websites that provide the necessary information.

The people behind these sites live for computers and computing and have assembled extensive lists of compatible components and excellent assembly instructions, complete with online help and troubleshooting.

The only drawback there is that, if you don’t already have a computer or the one you have is broken, you need ready access to another computer. For that reason, we recommend that those who decide to build their own computer do it before the old one dies.

The Advantages of Building Your Own Computer
The cost savings between home made computers and major retail computers can be significant, but the general rule is about a fifty percent savings. As mentioned earlier, if you need or want a blazing-fast PC that can do anything you could ever ask it to, you will experience even greater savings.

So, if you are fairly handy at fixing things, use a computer a lot and want to save some significant money, then knowing how to build your own computer can be a fun and rewarding task. However, if you don’t know how to tell wrenches apart and confuse microchips with microphones, then building your own computer may not be the right decision for you.

Another thing to consider, since you won't have a warranty on the computer, is that repairs can be expensive if you are unable to solve the problem on your own.

However, in the future, it is only going to get easier and cheaper to build your own computer and more and more people will want to take advantage of the savings and superior performance that a personally built computer can offer.