Being the geek I am (and very proud of it, mind you), I love learning about new stuff, whether it be music, art, history, or computers. The more I work with computers, the more I want to know about them. So when a friend suggested I build a computer instead of buying one, I jumped at the idea. Then I realized he was completely out of his mind. Build a computer? Impossible. Why not just reconstruct Einstein's general theory of relativity through the use of tensor calculus? Right? Not really.
To my surprise, I discovered that building a computer was fairly simple and really fun. You may not realize this while going through the process because it can get frustrating. But if you are willing to take the time to do it, you can build that wondrous computer you've always dreamed about and learn a lot along the way.
Remember: The journey will be long, but stay focused and the force shall guide you.
There's more to say about this topic than I could possibly cover here. So, consider this a very basic introduction to building a computer.
Of course, this process isn't all wine and roses. In fact, there are some pretty good reasons to not build your own machine.
Compatibility is a big issue. One of the most frustrating things about computers is that some parts don't work well together. Some modems and soundcards are not compatible, for example. You can spend hours and hours (and hours) pulling your hair out while playing with every configuration imaginable until you come to the conclusion that these parts just don't like each other. In addition, there is no sure way to tell which parts will work together.
Another factor is that the technical support will fall somewhere between lousy and nonexistent. Unless you have friends or some resource to turn to that can provide competent help, you can spend a lot time frustrated and discouraged while attempting to work things out on your own.
Last but not least, why go through the hassle of building a computer when you can buy a pretty nice one for about US$500? A lot of money could be spent building one depending on what kind of system you want. Besides the hardware, there is the often-obscene price of software.
If you made these arguments to me and then asked why, given all these factors, you should go forth and build a computer, I'd probably say, "You've got me." Building a computer can be a hassle, and you could spend a bit more money than you intend to. But is it cool or what to build your own computer? It's almost as cool as the Fonz. OK, maybe it's not that cool. But it's close, very close. It feels great to sit in front of your computer and say, "I made this!" Plus, you will expand your knowledge of computers. You'll know the differences between a SIMM and a CPU and a PCI and an ISA slot. You'll know what's going on behind your screen and underneath the case.
Another wonderful thing about building your own computer is that it will have only the things you want. You don't have to worry about useless programs taking up precious space. You can shape and mold it to do anything you desire. If those aren't good enough reasons, don't build a computer. But if it sounds like your cup of tea, go for it.
With that said, shall we proceed?
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