Get Ahead Once You Build Your Own Computer

If you’ve been kicking about the idea of building your own computer, it actually isn’t a bad idea. It’s easier than you power think, and you can probably move out with a system that gives you more kick for your money, than you’d see in retail, or those made-to-order places. There are in the main two route you’re going to see the benefits here:

1. You can see the money you’re going to save on this right up front. Simply do a search on Cnet.com under “Compare Prices� for any random PC component you see in the stores, and you’ll cognize what I’m talking about. In most cases, you’ll cut out the full-retail markup, and then some. You’ll find brand new, sealed, in-box items lower online than you’ll ever find in any store.

2. The quality of the parts you’re deed is more better than what they put in pre-assembled, store-bought computers. You’ll cognize which brands mean quality. You could have a Creative sound card and a video card ready-made by ATI or nVidia; the cost difference is negligible, and we’re dealing with quality and performance standards that dwarf any no-name components they put in store bought systems, so they can support their cost down. Many a times, computer manufacturers like simply use a cheap motherboard that has everything, your sound, video, etc., integrated into it; you get a third-rate version of everything. Here are the main parts, or the basic building blocks for what you’ll need once you build your own computer.

1. A Motherboard. I talked simply about this a little earlier. All computers have one, but a nice motherboard is simply a fast connecter that’ll hold lots of memory and extra slots for expansion components. Steer clean of motherboards that have “built-in� this or “integrated� that, because they’re all but always of lousy quality. It makes help to have all your USB ports, keyboard plugs etc., on your motherboard, however. I have an aboard LAN that works pretty well, since a LAN is a LAN, but there were several driver issues with it once I put it together.

2. The Processor, or CPU. This is the “brain� of your computer. The kind of CPU that you can get depends on the kind of board that you picked out. The market is pretty more Intel Pentium 4 or AMD. Most folk who are interested in higher power and long-term use tend to opt for the Intel.

3. Video Card. This is easy. Your motherboard either has a PCI Express video slot (newer and faster, but no real benefit yet) or an AGP 8X slot. Are you a hardcore gamer or being who simply uses a PC for a little email and word process every now and then? This is the major question that’ll tell you the video card you need. Apparently the more intense and rigorous your video and graphics demands, the more video memory your card wish need.

4. Memory. Memory or RAM (Random Access Memory) is easy too. The main size ram you’ll find that goes with what’s still the most common new computer motherboard size (the Pentium compatible, socket 478) is the standard DDR 184 pin memory stick. Whether you need DDR 333, DDR 400, or DDR 533 (mhz, frequency and speed really) depends on the board you chose. Several handle all of them, several handle simply a few, so be sure to see that part of the box, (or online description).

5. Sound Card. This is probably one of the easiest parts to pick out and add. Most standalone sound cards you’ll see out there (the better way to go) are pretty nice in the digital sound that they’ll give you. I would-be go with Creative Labs, who I mentioned earlier, because they’ve been about since the mid 80’s; they’ve got this right. All but every one sold-out and ready-made now is the PCI slot, the most common motherboard slot, so it’s pretty hard to pick a sound card that won’t work.

6. Hard Drive. This is your main storage on your PC. It holds all of your files, games, pictures, in operation system, everything. I would-be do sure I had at least 160 gigs of space, even as if I weren’t a power user. This sounds like a lot but you’ll find that simply in everyday PC use, that space gets devoured up fast. There are a few quality names out there that most folk know, like Western Digital and Seagate.

7. Chassis / Computer Case. It’s nice idea to get a case that comes with the power supply already in it, so you won’t have to deal with the annoyance of purchase one on an individual basis and fitting it in. Plus, the power supply assurance (and they do go out sometimes) is by the same folk who ready-made your case, so they’re easy to track down. The only big consideration is that you need to get a case that supports the new generation boards (socket 478 and 775 for power users) because the power supply has this special 4-pin plug that any motherboard ready-made in the past 5 years necessarily or it won’t even as boot up. But still, the biggest part of your computer case selection is going to be cosmetics and personal style, so pick one you like!

8. Different Drives. Once the main parts are together and your system’s up and running, you can pick and choose what extras you like or need – everything from CD or DVD burners to MP3 hubs and advanced audio hookups.

With a little smart shopping, and little close attention to quality brands, you can build one affordable, high-performance PC in a snap!

Phil Moyers, writer of Build Your Own Computer Plan shows computer novices how to save a ton of money by golf shot together fast, high performance PC’s of their own with handpicked, quality parts. See more at

http://www.build-your-own-computer-plan.com/