by: Ron King
Just look inside a computer case. At first glance, all those wires and components can look terrifyingly complex. And thinking about putting them all together by yourself may seem impossible.
Not to worry! Even though they are the products of advanced technology, the various pieces of a personal computer (PC) fit together with simple connections. If you can use a screwdriver and follow simple instructions, you can build your own PC.
Don't be intimidated by the task of connecting the computer components together. Many of the internal connections are molded so that it is impossible to fit them together the wrong way. If you have ever assembled a child's toy, you are more than capable of assembling a computer.
Advantages Of Building Your Own
You are probably asking yourself why anyone would bother to build a PC. After all, you can buy a cheap computer in almost any retail store.
If cost is your only consideration, you probably are better off buying one of those cheap machines. But if you have any special requirements for software or hardware, you?ll benefit from the total control over the type and quality of components you get from building your own PC.
You can save some money, too. Although you probably can't match the price of the cheapest preassembled PC, once you begin adding on the inevitable customized hardware, the costs go up anyway. Suddenly building your own computer starts looking cheaper. And don't forget--those super-cheap PCs are bare-boned systems. Unless you need a computer only for basic word processing and e-mail, you will probably have to upgrade anyway.
Building your own PC can be a great learning experience. You will gain a better understanding of how the various components work together, knowledge that can be useful for troubleshooting. If your computer ever breaks down, you may be able to pinpoint the problem and fix it yourself, saving money on expensive repair bills.
You are virtually guaranteed to get the best computer when you build your own system. Big retailers often use cheaper OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) components to cut down on costs. Components like these can compromise the performance of a computer system. Although you can buy OEM components yourself, the trade-off in reliability and stability is usually not worth it. Brand name components are just a bit more expensive, but are well worth the cost.
Disadvantages
The major disadvantage in building your own PC is that you don't get a system-wide warranty. For example, if a malfunctioning motherboard fries your memory chips, you may not be able to get compensation for the damaged memory. If something like this happens with a store-bought system you could probably get the whole computer repaired under the warranty.
However, if you buy all your components at the same time from the same retailer, you are more likely to be compensated for this kind of situation.
Time is, of course, a factor. But it is educational time. And if you enjoy tinkering at all, it counts as fun time as well.
The Bottom Line
Building your own PC has a lot to offer. You'll be assured of getting the best components available, which translates to the best and most reliable computer for your money. You will learn about computer components and how to choose parts with the best performance. When it comes to servicing your computer, you may be able to solve and fix the problem yourself.
Oh, and one final advantage. The bragging rights of telling your friends that you built your own computer. Priceless!
About The Author
Ron King is a full-time researcher, writer, and web developer. Visit http://www.build-computer-now.com to learn more about this fascinating subject. Copyright 2005 Ron King. This article may be reprinted if the resource box is left intact.
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The Epson Chip Resetter: Maintaining The Efficiency Of Your Printer
The Epson Chip Resetter: Maintaining The Efficiency Of Your Printer
by: Marisa Pellegrino
When you rely on your printer to produce quality printouts on demand, there is no time for a delay due to misinformation from your printing machine. Unfortunately, a common occurrence in the new Epson model ink jet printers is that the chip will think the printer is out of ink when in fact it is not. In order to guarantee that this does not happen to you, it is wise to use a chip resetter.
Beginning in 2000, Epson began the addition of chips onto the 870 series cartridges. These cartridges, referred to as ?intellidge,? can now be found in all current Epson printers. The chip essentially sits on the cartridge and is connected to the circuitry in the printer. When the chip detects that the micro-droplets printed have reached their maximum, it disables the printer. Despite the fact that your cartridge may not actually be empty, the chip will still prevent...
The Epson Chip Resetter: Maintaining The Efficiency Of Your Printer
Computer printers > The Epson Chip Resetter: Maintaining The Efficiency Of Your Printer
Where Did I Save That Document? Organizing Your Computer Files
Where Did I Save That Document? Organizing Your Computer Files
by: Laura Stack, MBA, CSP
What happened to the paperless office? We generate more paper now than we
ever did
before the advent of the computer! A computer's hard drive can get just as
cluttered as
any other part of the office. With seemingly limitless storage capacity,
it's easy to create
piles of files on your computer. This section will help you file your
documents more
logically and find them more easily.
1. Use directories and subdirectories. The first step in creating your
electronic filing
system is to create the structure. Let's say you had a filing cabinet where
you stored
your paper files. If every folder were labeled "My Documents," you wouldn't
find
anything. Microsoft automatically sets up a folder titled "My Documents,"
where you
can save your documents. If you save EVERYTHING under this directory, you
will
never...
Where Did I Save That Document? Organizing Your Computer Files
Computer printers > Where Did I Save That Document? Organizing Your Computer Files
Do The Media Spread Computer Viruses?
Do The Media Spread Computer Viruses?
by: Joel Walsh
Summary: Could the mass media hype about computer viruses actually make the problem worse?
If you believe what you hear in the media, there are an awful lot of viruses going around. No, I'm not talking about the make-you-sick kind of virus, though they get plenty of airtime, too. I'm talking about the kind of virus that enters via your internet connection rather than your nasal passages.
What the mainstream media often don't tell you--at least, in most radio and television newscasts and in the crucial headlines and opening paragraphs of newspaper articles-- is that many of these "viruses" are not viruses at all.
What Computer Viruses Really Are
The main reason the mainstream media always are in alarm over viruses is that they tend to call any malicious computer program a virus. In reality, there are at least eleven distinct types of malicious software, or malware, commonly...
Do The Media Spread Computer Viruses?
Computer printers > Do The Media Spread Computer Viruses?
How to Save on Inks
How to Save on Inks
by: Karen Nodalo
Printers are very important in our everyday lives. Home printers or even office printers are a part of our daily lives. If you have been used to having a printer around, you may not live for a day without it. Printers print important documents that we use everyday.
Technology has been enhancing printers from time to time and printers are also getting affordable. Anyone can buy their own use at home or at the office. Especially now that printers have been fully developed, it will be more advantageous to buy one. Printer capabilities at this time are pretty amazing. Just thinking of it, you will find yourself pondering whether you want to buy one. Most people would think of buying a second hand printer because of its low cost. If they find out about that the prices of printers have gone down, would they still go for second hand printers? Second hand printer prices are not far from the price of brand new printers...
How to Save on Inks
Computer printers > How to Save on Inks
Building A Computer - Picking the Components
Building A Computer - Picking the Components
by: Chris Silop
Building A Computer - Picking Components
Picking the parts for your computer is one of the most important things in building a computer, because you cant assemble a computer without the parts! Picking parts for computers has become much easier than before, because things have been standardized, however, you need to make sure everything will fit. The first thing to think about when choosing the components for your computer is what you are going to be using it for. If you are creating a computer for just checking your eMail and using word, you are going to need much diffrent parts than a computer that you are going to be using for gaming.
CPU
The first thing you should pick out about your computer is what CPU you are going to use, because it determines what motherboard you are going to get, which determines what other components you get. There are two main CPU manufactruers,...
Building A Computer - Picking the Components
Computer printers > Building A Computer - Picking the Components
Computer Graphics: They're Not All The Same
Computer Graphics: They're Not All The Same
by: Mandar
Graphic images on your computer come in two different forms, raster images and vector images. Raster images are made by programs such as Photoshop and Corel Photopaint. Vector images are produced by Adobe Illustrator, Freehand, and CorelDraw. While the results from these different programs can look similar, the ways in which they are made are very different.
Raster images are made up of millions of individual squares, or pixels, of various colors. The more pixels you have, the better the image will look. The number of pixels, or resolution, is usually expressed in dots per inch (dpi). Images on the Web are shown at 72 dpi. A high-resolution image would run 300 dpi or higher. Some types of printing can get into the 1600 dpi range. Much like a mosaic, a raster image can look smooth from a distance but as you zoom in closer you can see the individual pixels.
A vector image is drawn from...
Computer Graphics: They're Not All The Same
Computer printers > Computer Graphics: They're Not All The Same
Computer Graphics: They're Not All The Same
Computer Graphics: They're Not All The Same
by: Mandar
Graphic images on your computer come in two different forms, raster images and vector images. Raster images are made by programs such as Photoshop and Corel Photopaint. Vector images are produced by Adobe Illustrator, Freehand, and CorelDraw. While the results from these different programs can look similar, the ways in which they are made are very different.
Raster images are made up of millions of individual squares, or pixels, of various colors. The more pixels you have, the better the image will look. The number of pixels, or resolution, is usually expressed in dots per inch (dpi). Images on the Web are shown at 72 dpi. A high-resolution image would run 300 dpi or higher. Some types of printing can get into the 1600 dpi range. Much like a mosaic, a raster image can look smooth from a distance but as you zoom in closer you can see the individual pixels.
A vector image is drawn from...
Computer Graphics: They're Not All The Same
Computer printers > Computer Graphics: They're Not All The Same
Building A Computer - Picking the Components
Building A Computer - Picking the Components
by: Chris Silop
Building A Computer - Picking Components
Picking the parts for your computer is one of the most important things in building a computer, because you cant assemble a computer without the parts! Picking parts for computers has become much easier than before, because things have been standardized, however, you need to make sure everything will fit. The first thing to think about when choosing the components for your computer is what you are going to be using it for. If you are creating a computer for just checking your eMail and using word, you are going to need much diffrent parts than a computer that you are going to be using for gaming.
CPU
The first thing you should pick out about your computer is what CPU you are going to use, because it determines what motherboard you are going to get, which determines what other components you get. There are two main CPU manufactruers,...
Building A Computer - Picking the Components
Computer printers > Building A Computer - Picking the Components
Computer printers purses Build Your Own Computer or Buy?
How To Dispose Of Your Old ATV Tires
How To Dispose Of Your Old ATV Tires
by: Bill B. Carmel
When it comes time to replace your old and worn ATV tires, many riders are eager to purchase new tires, but many are unaware what to do with the old ones. Regardless where you live, throwing old tires in a body or water or natural environment is improper?and in many cases illegal?since the tires can corrupt nature. When disposing of your old ATV tires, be sure to do so in a proper and legal manner that will...
toyo tires Computer printers How To Dispose Of Your Old ATV Tires Build Your Own Computer or Buy?
Computer printers > How To Dispose Of Your Old ATV Tires
Life Insurance - Make Sure Your Family Is Cared For
Life Insurance - Make Sure Your Family Is Cared For
by: Jakob Jelling
No matter who you are or what you do for a living, you should make sure that you have some sort of life insurance policy. However, this is even more the case if you are one of the only sources of income for your family. In this case, you should keep in mind that your family will lose your income should you die prematurely - but with life insurance, they will still be taken care of afterward....
Computer printers insurance Life Insurance - Make Sure Your Family Is Cared For
Computer printers > Life Insurance - Make Sure Your Family Is Cared For
Computer printers
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