BitBender
05-25-2002, 02:54 PM
<p>The decision to build a computer from scratch may come from many different perspectives. Some may be mechanically inclined, others want a new challenge, and others still, are seeking the savings they believe is associated with "building your own". </p><p>The standardization of components in personal computers has made it fairly easy to construct a basic, off the shelf computer, that will perform as well, or <b>better</b>, as any made by a computer company.</p><p>To that end, this thread is a starting point to help you in the process of determining whether or not to build.</p><p>
The discussion on this subject runs long and deep in the technical support forums for PC's, but in this authors opinion, it boils down to some simple comparsions. If you elect to construct a machine yourself, you will need to consider;<br><ul><li>Have access to <b>one</b> working computer, connected to the internet</li><li>Determining your components<li>Researching compatibility</li><li/>Know your OS supported hardware
eg. linux may not support the same hardware as windows<li>Ordering and accquiring the parts</li><li>Obtaining the necessary tools</li><li>Obtaining the Software you want</li><li>Building the machine</li><li>Testing the Build</li><li>Loading the System</li><li>Fixing any thing that breaks</li></ul></p><p>Balance this against; <br><ul><li>Determining what you want</li><li>Choosing a manufacturer</li><li>Customizing one of their combinations to meet your expectations</li><li>Buying IT</li><li><b><i>Opening the box, and USING it!!</i></b></li></ul></p><p>Each choice carries it's own pro's and con's. It all depends on what your goals are, and how much time and resources you wish to expend. With the <b>Build my own</b> route, you can control all the aspects, and quality of components that go into your <b>new rig</b>, but, by the same token, are responsible for assembly, and also problem determination. If you choose the <b>purchased</b> route, you accept the levels of component quality common is mass produced machines, and the software layer provided in the "package". </p><p>Untertaking a complete build of a machine should be done by a person who has done several upgrades of a smaller nature, such as;<ul><li>Adding, or replacing a CD-R/RW drive, or DVD-R/RW</li><li>Adding or replacing Memory Sticks</li><li>Adding a New Video or Sound Card</li><li>Adding or Replacing a Hard Drive(HDD)</li><li>Reloaded/Built Windows/Linux from a fresh install</li><li><b>Bonus</b> - Changed/Replaced CPU</li><li><b>Bonus</b> - Changed/Replaced HSF</li> </ul><br></p><p>These types of experiences give a person a good base of reference when attempting a full system build.
<p>As with most things, as long as everything works correctly, it's a simple and straightforward matter to build a computer. It's when things don't play by the <i><u>rules</i></u>, is when it gets <b>interesting</b>.</p><p>In this author's opinion, it's unfair to tell anyone whether or not they should buy, or build a computer. That choice is up to each to make for themselves. For this author, building a computer allows me to express my personal flair in the creation and customization of my machines. There is a good degree of satisfaction to be had with the sucessful completion of a project. There is also solace in the fact that if it breaks/fails you can just send it back to the computer company that made it.</p><br><br><font size="2"><b>Next Article Links</b></font><br><br><font size="1"<ul><li/><a href="http://www.bitbenderforums.com/vb22/showthread.php?threadid=44105"><b>Should I build, or should I buy?</a><li/><a href="http://www.bitbenderforums.com/vb22/showthread.php?threadid=44106"><b>Setting an Inventory and Ordering it All</b></a><li/><a href="http://www.bitbenderforums.com/vb22/showthread.php?threadid=44107"><b>Setting up the Work Area</b></a><li/><a href="http://www.bitbenderforums.com/vb22/showthread.php?threadid=44108"><b>Having the right tools for the job</b></a><li/><a href="http://www.bitbenderforums.com/vb22/showthread.php?threadid=44109"><b>Forming an "Order of Battle"</b></a></ul></p><br><br>
<p><font size="1"><a href="http://www.bitbenderforums.com/vb22/announcement.php?forumid=133"><b>Please click this to read BBF Caveat Statement</b></a></font></p>
The discussion on this subject runs long and deep in the technical support forums for PC's, but in this authors opinion, it boils down to some simple comparsions. If you elect to construct a machine yourself, you will need to consider;<br><ul><li>Have access to <b>one</b> working computer, connected to the internet</li><li>Determining your components<li>Researching compatibility</li><li/>Know your OS supported hardware
eg. linux may not support the same hardware as windows<li>Ordering and accquiring the parts</li><li>Obtaining the necessary tools</li><li>Obtaining the Software you want</li><li>Building the machine</li><li>Testing the Build</li><li>Loading the System</li><li>Fixing any thing that breaks</li></ul></p><p>Balance this against; <br><ul><li>Determining what you want</li><li>Choosing a manufacturer</li><li>Customizing one of their combinations to meet your expectations</li><li>Buying IT</li><li><b><i>Opening the box, and USING it!!</i></b></li></ul></p><p>Each choice carries it's own pro's and con's. It all depends on what your goals are, and how much time and resources you wish to expend. With the <b>Build my own</b> route, you can control all the aspects, and quality of components that go into your <b>new rig</b>, but, by the same token, are responsible for assembly, and also problem determination. If you choose the <b>purchased</b> route, you accept the levels of component quality common is mass produced machines, and the software layer provided in the "package". </p><p>Untertaking a complete build of a machine should be done by a person who has done several upgrades of a smaller nature, such as;<ul><li>Adding, or replacing a CD-R/RW drive, or DVD-R/RW</li><li>Adding or replacing Memory Sticks</li><li>Adding a New Video or Sound Card</li><li>Adding or Replacing a Hard Drive(HDD)</li><li>Reloaded/Built Windows/Linux from a fresh install</li><li><b>Bonus</b> - Changed/Replaced CPU</li><li><b>Bonus</b> - Changed/Replaced HSF</li> </ul><br></p><p>These types of experiences give a person a good base of reference when attempting a full system build.
<p>As with most things, as long as everything works correctly, it's a simple and straightforward matter to build a computer. It's when things don't play by the <i><u>rules</i></u>, is when it gets <b>interesting</b>.</p><p>In this author's opinion, it's unfair to tell anyone whether or not they should buy, or build a computer. That choice is up to each to make for themselves. For this author, building a computer allows me to express my personal flair in the creation and customization of my machines. There is a good degree of satisfaction to be had with the sucessful completion of a project. There is also solace in the fact that if it breaks/fails you can just send it back to the computer company that made it.</p><br><br><font size="2"><b>Next Article Links</b></font><br><br><font size="1"<ul><li/><a href="http://www.bitbenderforums.com/vb22/showthread.php?threadid=44105"><b>Should I build, or should I buy?</a><li/><a href="http://www.bitbenderforums.com/vb22/showthread.php?threadid=44106"><b>Setting an Inventory and Ordering it All</b></a><li/><a href="http://www.bitbenderforums.com/vb22/showthread.php?threadid=44107"><b>Setting up the Work Area</b></a><li/><a href="http://www.bitbenderforums.com/vb22/showthread.php?threadid=44108"><b>Having the right tools for the job</b></a><li/><a href="http://www.bitbenderforums.com/vb22/showthread.php?threadid=44109"><b>Forming an "Order of Battle"</b></a></ul></p><br><br>
<p><font size="1"><a href="http://www.bitbenderforums.com/vb22/announcement.php?forumid=133"><b>Please click this to read BBF Caveat Statement</b></a></font></p>