How to Build a Computer

So it's time to buy a new computer and you don't quite know where to start. Sure there are computers from Dell, HP, Compaq, and so on, but which computer will best suit your need and which computer will fit your budget? Well the answer may be a little bit different than you think. A sure fire way to get a new computer that both fit your needs and your budget is to build the computer yourself. Building a computer yourself may seem out of your reach, but with a few hours of research and a few days set aside to assemble the components and get your computer up and running, you can be on your way.

My next group of articles will walk you step by step through the basics of buying your computer components, assembling the pieces, installing the software and so on. If this is your first computer build, don't get discouraged as the process is actually quite easy and is definitely rewarding. As I type this, I am sitting in front of my new computer that I built myself and there is a sense of satisfaction that goes along with being able to do it yourself.

So you may ask why should you build your own computer? The most obvious reason is to save a considerable amount of money. Computers are made up of several components and then assembled by a maker such as Dell, or HP who simply pieces the components together, installs some of their own software and then sells the assembled computer for profit. Dell and HP and the others out there are no more than middle men who assemble computers from parts that are made by other companies.

By building your own computer, you are now the middle man. You will purchase the components and put them together yourself and you will save a considerable amount of money in the process. For example, the computer that I am typing from costs approximately $700 in components and software to make it run. A comparable computer from Dell runs around $1200 fully assembled and delivered to your door. That is close to a 50% savings and the work involved in building your own computer will not require much effort or time on your behalf.