Custom Computers or off the shelf?

Many people, even those who are quite competent behind a keyboard, can be intimidated by the confusing tangle of high tech wires and components inside their computer's CPU case. The very thought of doing anything in there can be paralyzing - that's impossible!

The good news is that it isn't nearly as complicated as it looks. The components - and there are quite a few of them - may look like a tangled mess, but they each fit together and work by very simple, basic connections that are about as easy to do yourself as fixing a toaster. In other words, if you have the dexterity to use a screwdriver and follow basic instructions, you can build your own computer.

The Good

With the glut of cheap computers on the market today, you might be asking yourself why you should even bother building your own. Truth be known, if cost is your only consideration, you are probably better off buying an off the shelf system. If however, you have special needs for your hardware or software, building custom computers gives you absolute and total control over the sizes, capabilities and quality of the components you install.

Off the shelf solutions are just that. They are bare bones systems that aren't customized and in many cases cannot even be upgraded. Once you start inquiring about having additional hardware installed you will start to realize how much money you stand to save by building your own.

By building your own PC, you will have a much greater understanding of how the components themselves work together, and this knowledge can be a great benefit when it comes down to troubleshooting problems. In many cases you will be able to pinpoint and repair the problem yourself, saving tons of money on service and repair bills.

The Bad

The biggest disadvantage to building your own PC is that you won't have the system warranty that comes with off the shelf solutions. Let's say for example that your motherboard short circuits and takes your memory card out with it. When that happens on a store bought system it is likely that the manufacturer will either replace the system or compensate you for the loss. If you built it yourself, the cost is all yours. Still, in some situations buying all of your components from the same retailer at the same time can result in compensation after all.

If you want the best, build it

Big computer companies use cheap parts. They are mass producing systems and will cut costs whenever possible and this can sometimes lead to compromised system performance. When you build it yourself, you know exactly what is going into your system. In other words, if you use only the best, your computer is more likely to be the best.

In the end, you shouldn't be afraid to build your own system. The fact is that most of the connections are made of molded plastic that virtually ensures that you cannot mis connect them. Remember that old toddler toy where you tried to out the square peg into the round hole and it didn't work? Same principal. You can do it!

Read about Apple computers...