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Build Or Buy
Building Your Own Computer - Part 1
Building Your Own Computer - Part 2
Building Your Own Computer - Part 3
Building Your Own Computer - Part 4
Building Your Own Computer - Part 5
Building Your Own Computer - Part 6
Building Your Own Computer - Part 7
CD DVD
CPU
Components
Computer Accessories Part 2
Hard Drives - Part 1
Hard Drives - Part 2
Memory
Motherboard - Part 1
Motherboard - Part 2
Sound Cards
Video Cards |
Building Your Own Computer - Part 1
CD DVDThere are many ways to store computer data. Most of the data is kept on hard drives which are ..... Before building a new computer, you must decide what purpose it will serve. This will determine where you will need to allocate your budget so that you can purchase specialized equipment where needed. For example, if you plan to play a lot of games, you will need a powerful graphics card and specialized controllers like joysticks; whereas if the computer is going to be used for word processing and surfing the net, your graphics card doesn't need to be so powerful. In this case, you would want to spend the extra money on a specialized keyboard and mouse.
Computers built for special purposes, such as video editing and sound recording, have particular requirements for add-on cards. These cards may in turn have special requirements of the CPU or motherboard. Knowing how the computer will be used will allow you to choose the most appropriate components for its purpose.
Re-using Old Parts?
If you have come to the point of building your own computer, you probably have an existing computer and are wondering if you can salvage parts from the old machine. This depends mainly on its age. If it is more than five years old you would probably be better off using all new components due to the continual advancements that computer technology which gives us faster and more reliable components every year.
The only old piece of equipment you might consider re-using is the floppy disk drive. Floppy disks are almost at the point of obsolescence, but it is possible that you may need one occasionally.
On the other hand, if you have a computer that is less than two years old, it may have parts that could be used in your new machine. For instance, the hard drive could be installed as a secondary drive and the CD player or DVD player may be adequate for your needs.
Hard Drives - Part 1When we talk about computer memory we usually think of RAM (Random Access Memory). Computer memory is not just .....
It's usually not a good idea to reuse the motherboard, the CPU, or the memory. All of these components are continuously enhanced, so if you care for performance (which is probably the reason you are building your own computer, right?) you are better off buying these items new.
Choosing Parts
Start to make a list of all the components that you will need; e.g. case, motherboard, CPU, memory, add-ons.
The next step is to decide on particular brands and models of each component that you have listed. Most computer systems are built around a particular motherboard/CPU combination, but you will need to decide which are the most important elimants for your needs and build a computer system around those elimants, such as a particular CPU, a particular motherboard, or an add-on card such as a professional sound or video card.
After having chosen these important components, you can choose compatible peripheral devices.
Retail Store or Mail Order?
You can usually find very good deals through Internet mail-order merchants. Local merchants are usually a bit more expensive and have less of a selection, but don't rule them out completely. They may offer better service and support than an Internet dealer.
Notice when you're buying equipment, you will probably be presented with the choice of OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) or retail. OEM hardware is manufactured by the same company as the retail version, but it is intended primarily for companies that build computers under their own name.
Although you can buy OEM equipment to use in your own computer, it usually is unpackaged (except for a static-free bag) and does not come with cables, a manual, or other accessories. OEM equipment is usually cheaper, but the warranty may have less coverage than the retail version. Cables, manuals and warranties are important! It's usually better to pay the extra cost and go with the retail version.
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