Just look inside a computer case.
At first glance, all those wires and components can look terrifyingly complex.
And thinking about putting them all together by yourself may seem impossible.
Not to worry! Even though they are
the products of advanced technology, the various pieces of a personal computer
(PC) fit together with simple connections. If you can use a screwdriver and
follow simple instructions, you can build your own PC.
Don't be intimidated by the task of
connecting the computer components together. Many of the internal connections
are molded so that it is impossible to fit them together the wrong way. If you
have ever assembled a child's toy, you are more than capable of assembling a
computer.
Advantages Of Building Your Own
You are probably asking yourself
why anyone would bother to build a PC. After all, you can buy a cheap computer
in almost any retail store.
If cost is your only consideration,
you probably are better off buying one of those cheap machines. But if you have
any special requirements for software or hardware, you’ll benefit from the
total control over the type and quality of components you get from building
your own PC.
You can save some money, too.
Although you probably can't match the price of the cheapest preassembled PC,
once you begin adding on the inevitable customized hardware, the costs go up
anyway. Suddenly building your own computer starts looking cheaper. And don't
forget--those super-cheap PCs are bare-boned systems. Unless you need a
computer only for basic word processing and e-mail, you will probably have to
upgrade anyway.
Building your own PC can be a great
learning experience. You will gain a better understanding of how the various
components work together, knowledge that can be useful for troubleshooting. If
your computer ever breaks down, you may be able to pinpoint the problem and fix
it yourself, saving money on expensive repair bills.
You are virtually guaranteed to get
the best computer when you build your own system. Big retailers often use
cheaper OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) components to cut down on costs.
Components like these can compromise the performance of a computer system.
Although you can buy OEM components yourself, the trade-off in reliability and
stability is usually not worth it. Brand name components are just a bit more
expensive, but are well worth the cost.
Disadvantages
The major disadvantage in building
your own PC is that you don't get a system-wide warranty. For example, if a
malfunctioning motherboard fries your memory chips, you may not be able to get
compensation for the damaged memory. If something like this happens with a
store-bought system you could probably get the whole computer repaired under
the warranty.
However, if you buy all your
components at the same time from the same retailer, you are more likely to be
compensated for this kind of situation.
Time is, of course, a factor. But
it is educational time. And if you enjoy tinkering at all, it counts as fun
time as well.
The Bottom Line
Building your own PC has a lot to
offer. You'll be assured of getting the best components available, which
translates to the best and most reliable computer for your money. You will
learn about computer components and how to choose parts with the best performance.
When it comes to servicing your computer, you may be able to solve and fix the
problem yourself.
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