I Know Computers Well

For the vast majority of users, pre-built PCs meet their needs. However, for people who want to buy a high performance machine without breaking the bank, building your own computer can be a cost-effective solution. Although the job may seem intimidating, putting together your own computer can be much easier than you would think.

There are some good reasons why a user might not be satisfied with the standard systems available on the market. If you are a gamer, for example, you may need a high performance graphics card in your computer. A quality GPU is required to play most cutting edge video games. These cards are not too pricey but are just left out of many manufacturer’s systems. Gaming parts are typically included in much more pricey machines. As if this weren’t enough, many computers don’t have a power supply strong enough to run a high end video card. For someone who is looking to play video games on a budget, this meanssome serious hardware work for an inexpensive off-the-shelf computer. However, if you’re willing to assemble a computer from scratch, you’ll have a fairly easy time buying a powerful setup at a low price, and you won’t have to deal with the frustration of a slow computer.

Building your own high performance computer is easier than it may appear at first. You only really need a few basic parts. The short list includes a power supply, motherboard, processor, case, hard drive, and DVD drive. RAM is required as well. If you want high quality graphics, you can include a quality video card in your build. There are other optional hardware components to choose from as well. Buying your own pieces allows you to customize your system to run the programs that you prefer. This can save quite a bit of money. Manufacturers frequently include hardware that will exceed the requirements you need in one category while failing to provide quality components in another.

The power supply is a frequently underrated piece of hardware. Future upgrades will 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 This is also true of the motherboard; a poor or outdated motherboard will not be compatible with high performance processors when it is time to upgrade. You should choose a quality motherboard that has good upgrade potential. Your processor and motherboard must be compatible. If you invest the bulk 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. You can ask at the store or a representative online whether you will need additional tools when you purchase your parts. It would be a good idea to buy an anti-static wrist bracelet while you are getting the hardware. Static electricity can damage your valuable computer parts. Since an anti-static wrist bracelet is so inexpensive, you should purchase one for good measure.

Assembling the computer will be a bit of a challenge for the first-timer. Have patience. Carefully read the instructions that come with each component. Watch a few instructional videos. You should leave a little room in the budget for unexpected expenses; your first build might involve some accidental damage to parts. Don’t get rid of any of the packaging or receipts for the parts until you have finished building and tested your machine. You may find that some parts do not work together despite appearing to be compatible, or some parts may suffer from manufacturing mistakes that render them non-functional. Any such parts must be replaced with working, compatible equivalents.

When you have completed your first build, you will have an excellent, personalized computer and a sense of accomplishment. It will also be much easier for you to upgrade in the future. While the vast majority of consumers will be satisfied with pre-built computers, the user with high performance needs will find this strategy much cheaper.

Since computer repair is our business here at Geek Choice, we spend a lot of time opening up computers, checking parts, and resolving compatibility problems. If you run into any issues while putting together your own system, whether it’s trying to pick out the right case for your needs or troubleshooting a newly assembled machine that won’t run, 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.