16 May
build-a-computer

How to Build Your Own PC from Scratch: A Beginner’s Guide

There’s this idea that building your own computer is a rite of passage for only the most hardcore of geeks. It’s as if building a computer is up there with Jedi building their own lightsaber. And while some people may think of it as akin to building your own car or motorcycle, it isn’t nearly as difficult. It also requires no real level of expertise; unlike building your own robot, for instance, building a computer is more or less just connecting various parts together.

The advantages of building your own computer is mainly from you deciding on what is and isn’t included. Pre-manufactured computers come loaded with bloatware; apps and programs that you don’t want, or even need, but are generally difficult, if not impossible, to get rid of. It also allows you to custom-built a computer for the exact purpose you need it for.

If you need to build a stripped-down computer that is only for your day-to-day office use with no games or bells and whistles, you could wind up saving money this way. Rather than paying for a computer that comes stock with a ton of things you don’t need that will only distract you, a bare-bones machine could be perfect for only using Microsoft Office Suite.

Creating an entertainment-only computer is also just as easy. For this usage, however, it can be easy to quickly rack up a huge price tag custom building a gaming rig. This is due in part mainly to buying the latest and greatest graphics and sound cards and hard drives, as well as speakers, screens, and game controllers. It all adds up, and for what some may spend on a brand new gaming computer, you could have bought a brand new car off of the lot.

So why even bother building your own? Quite simply, because it can be better than any out-of-the-box computer. Even the least tech-savvy users have purchased a computer from Dell that has swapped cards or processors, even hard drives. Sure, they may have had to bring it to Geek Squad, but even they realized the importance of beefing up their machine.

While building your own computer isn’t difficult, it also isn’t the easiest thing in the world. You’ll definitely want to read up on articles or watch videos as to how the pros do it. You’ll also want to find a checklist of things that you absolutely must-have. It wouldn’t be the first time someone put together an entire computer, only to find out the hard way it’s missing something important. You’ll also want to weigh the pros, cons, and price of putting such an animal together before going full Frankenstein and piecing your creation together.

That said, if you find yourself buying a new computer regularly and being disappointed in what it can’t do, building a personal computer may be the way to go. By choosing custom hardware, the software you only need, and having much more options than what the computer plant gives you, you’re putting the “personal” back into “personal computer”.