Isn’t that a job for a specialist?

It certainly used to be.  Ten years ago, the idea of someone who knows nothing about computers building one from the tabletop up would have provoked loud laughter.  Times have changed, in several ways:  everyone possesses some basic computer knowledge, there are mountains of how-to guides stacked up on the web for this one purpose, and it’s never been easier to locate and order the computer parts you need.

Hardware is now plug and go– you no longer have to fiddle with jumper switches or, once you load the operating system, alter the IRQ or memory allocations.  Of course it’s quicker to trot out to Currys and grab a box off the shelf, but that’s dead dull compared to envisioning the PC system you want, making a list of necessary parts, checking to be sure your chosen processor and power supply can handle all system requirements, and putting in your orders for parts.

Ordering parts with a view to savings

Your goal is to make informed decisions about what you need from your computer, then decide what parts will make that possible.  The PC you put together is a unified system in which the parts must work together harmoniously, so it’s no good picking out a top-of-the-line processor and expecting that one component to achieve top performance when combined with substandard pieces. Buying each part can become expensive however opting for cheaper parts may compromise the overall performance and quality of your computer. Koala Payday Loans could provide the necessary funds to purhase the best parts for your project without leaving your monthly budget short.

Set a PC budget, and within that budget strive for a consistent assortment of parts.

About hardware, cheap and otherwise

Before you choose your hardware, think about what you want to accomplish with your computer.  Does your computer need to deal efficiently with music, video, photographs, or text-based data?  Do you run large automated projects in which information is processed in bulk, then stored on multiple hard drives?  Maybe all you want to do is play video games, or listen to music, or watch TV, but whatever you want to do will have its own specific system requirements.

Read the documentation for each part you select very carefully before you order it.

Processor.  This unit determines how fast your computer can work and how many tasks it can take on simultaneously.  The fastest commercial PC processor in 2013 is called the AMD FX-9590, and it clocks in at 5GHz, but it costs a packet and draws a lot of power (220 watts).  You’ll have to decide your own trade-off level at which more processing speed isn’t worth the extra cash.

Motherboard.  This is the physical template for your PC, because your other parts plug into it.  That means the motherboard has to accommodate every other part you select (USB ports, RAM sticks, cards for graphics, sound, and wireless), so you’ll have to nail down details of what you want before purchasing the motherboard.

RAM.  This is the main memory component, and if you choose a motherboard with dual channel capacity your computer can run faster by inserting a paired set of RAM sticks.

Graphics card.  This expansion component slots into your motherboard and improves the quality of video in movies and games.

Storage drives.  Most PCs come with one but you may want two for extra storage capacity.  The usual type is a hard-disk drive containing magnetic platters with moving read-write heads, and if you choose this option you can buy the most storage for the least money.  However, solid state drives lack moving parts, meaning they’re much faster and sturdier than the hard-disk variety.

Solid state drives’ other principal drawbacks, besides price, are a tendency to perform poorly when full and fail without warning, so you’d be best served overall by a hard-disk drive.

Power supply.  The faster your system will be and the more components it has, the more wattage you’ll need to buy in a power supply.  More wattage equals more expense, but more performance.

Other parts.  You’ll need a fan and heat sink to keep your lash-up cool, an optical disk drive to read DVDs and CDs if you use them, and possibly accessories like wireless and Bluetooth cards.  The last item you’ll pick out is a case to hold all your beautiful new gear.