Why I Built
Two years ago (January 2007), my computer was five-years old. It was slow with small hard drives. I needed a new, better computer. I had read articles describing how to build a new computer with step-by-step instructions. It looked easy. I could do that.
I expected high performance at less cost than buying.
It’s my nature to build things. When I was a kid, it was model airplanes. When I got my first car, I was low on funds hence did most of the simple maintenance. I do most of the maintenance and a good part of the remodeling on our home. When hi-fi was the craze, I built Heathkits. Years ago, lightweight backpacking equipment was very expensive. Hence, we built a lightweight sleeping bag and tent.
My Theory
Purchased computers (e.g. HP, Dell, Gateway, and others) must be cost competitive. Most people buy the lowest cost computer that meets their needs. Manufacturers of purchased computers must keep their cost low. Therefore, they use low-cost components that are just good enough. The purchased computer is not a bad computer and is not a superior computer. It is usually "just good enough."
I can build a computer with superior components that better meet MY objectives. Superior components cost more. With careful shopping cost is reduced. I decided to build my own computer because I wanted a superior computer. As long as I was going to the effort to build, I did not want to build a just-good-enough computer that I could buy. I wanted a superior computer.My Objectives
- Desktop (not laptop)
- Fast (high performance)
- Reliable (not likely to fail)
- Cool (low power)
- Quiet (low noise)
- Multiple operating systems
- Low cost
Not unusual objectives. Everyone would have a similar list.
I list my objectives because I am going to go through the objectives, one by one, and show how I selected superior components to satisfy the objectives.
I wanted a desktop computer, large enough so that I could easily install and change components. I wanted to play with different operating systems.
Comments
Build your own laptop
I am new to this group and hope another round of computer building gets under way. I would like to learn how to build a laptop. Is there a laptop sig on here?
How to build a laptop
Many laptop manufacturtes use components designed just for their laptop. There is not a large market for generic laptop components as there is for desk top computers.
However, it is possible to build a laptop computer. Google "build a laptop", or something like that, to learn details. Since there is not a large market for generic laptop components, as there is for desktop components, you probably will not save money by building. In fact, building may be more expensive than buying since you will not get volume discounts on the components.
Some laptop vendors, for example Lenovo, allow custom builds on their website. You can select components from a list of avaiable components. My wife needs a new laptop soon and I may take this approach.