Ready to Build Your Own PC?

Glad to see Bob provide a little endorsement for Linux. I moved to Ubuntu after XP expired. Never looked back. Yes, I tried to make it look like Windows at first. But Linux is so configurable, you can make it look any way you want. The only software I still use which is not Linux compatible is Turbo Tax. So every spring I download the latest Windows Evaluation from Microsoft and install it inside VirtialBox. And I still follow Bob's newsletter after all those years.

I have been interested in building my own PC in the past,but I am satisfied with buying used machines and modifying them to my specifications.

I seen guys who are gamers build their own machines,so I am happy for them.If you want the latest and fastest,it would be best to build your own.

I built my own desktop tower back in July of 2011 and it is still goin strong even on Win 10. I am hoping it will last until Win 10 is no longer supported, then either I update it or scrap it.

My first, and only, 'store-bought' desktop PC was a Gateway 'IBM-compatible' PC powered by an 8088 CPU, 64KB RAM, a 100MB MFM hard drive, a 14-inch color EGA monitor, and MS-DOS 3.3. My wife and I got it so she could do her homework for a business machines course she was taking. After several years of use, the hard drive suffered a head crash. At that time, MFM technology had become obsolete and I was unable to find a replacement drive. A local used parts seller offered to sell me a motherboard with an i386 CPU and some RAM soldered to it, a used server tower case and a 250MB hard drive for a price I could afford. I accepted his offer and got a book titled "Upgrading and Repairing PCs" from a local book store. I then spent some time learning how to build my own PC. I used the video adapter and keyboard from the Gateway machine and ended up with a working system. From that time to present, I have never purchased a 'store-bought' system again. Along the way I got another book about assembly language from which I learned a lot about how my computer works 'under the hood'.

I have come to describe myself as a computer assembler rather than as a builder, although I suppose both terms have some merit, because the process of 'building' a computer is mostly selecting components, and assembling them together to comprise a computer. Earlier this year, I put my current desktop PC together. I started by doing the research to determine which motherboard, CPU, RAM, video adapter, etc. I wanted to use. I started the research phase in 2022. After I developed my list of components, I began purchasing them, one by one until I had everything I wanted in the box. With everything in hand, I spent the better part of a day assembling my new desktop PC.

Building (assembling) a desktop PC is not rocket science. The process in and of itself is really very simple. Essentially, you mount the motherboard in a case, plug in the peripheral components (video adapter, RAM, network/Wi-Fi adapter, SSD/hard drive(s), power supply unit (PSU), etc.), connect the motherboard and hard drive(s), etc. to the PSU (using the PSU provided cables), connect a keyboard, mouse, and display to the system, plug the machine into an outlet, and power it up (I may have skipped a few steps/components here, so don't use this as a guide).

If you decide to build/assemble your own desktop computer, I suggest you start by deciding what you want to end up with. If all you want is a basic computer to surf the web, watch streaming video, read email, etc., start with a White-box/bare-bones kit. Then, if you want, you can add more RAM, a better video adapter, a larger SSD/hard drive, a Wi-Fi adapter, etc. as you go. On the other hand if what you want is a big, powerful gaming machine, you'll spend a lot of time and money researching, selecting, and purchasing the components you'll use, then assembling them to make a working computer. Either way, choose the best hardware you can afford overall. If you'll be using any version of Windows make sure your new computer has 16GB RAM (8GB is simply not enough anymore). Above all, take your time, do the research to learn what's available (keeping your end objective in mind), and take care to keep your fingers off the circuit boards, connector pins, etc. (handle any adapter 'cards' by their edges) when assembling your new computer.

I hope this helps someone,

Ernie (Oldster)

Back in the mid 1980's, I built two Heathkit computers for two friends. And they worked! I think they were still two layer motherboards then. And I worked at a place where I learned how to troubleshoot motherboards right down to an open trace! We built custom video display terminals based on the 6502 processor. In my retirement now, a few years back, my oldest grandson bought the parts to put together a PC and I helped him do all the assembly (making sure he was grounded before handling anything!), and his worked, too! Since then, he's gone way beyond my pocket book! LOL! I think he's got 4 monitors on his gaming computer! Oh, these kids! LOL! Oh, and he and his brother have passed on components to another of my grandsons, to keep the learning & gaming going!

Bob, TigerDirect.com "has been retired," according to their website.

There is another route for affordable computers. I have found two-year-old computers (mainly laptops) for sale locally that were being phased out because they were "too slow." Upon investigation, I usually discover that they were purchased at box stores or mail-ordered as a "bargain" but have only the bare minimum equipment.

Example: I have a used Dell on the bench I just bought for $30. It had 4 GB of RAM and the world's slowest mechanical 5400 rpm hard drive (which was also cluttered mightily with bloatware). I increased the RAM to the max 16 GB, reset the machine to factory condition, and then cloned the drive to a sharp new SSD and applied upgrades. That machine now FLIES - and the total investment is less than buying a new bargain laptop. RAM and SSDs are generally inexpensive and easy to replace.

Do watch out for the CPUs, though. I won't touch a Celeron unless I can research and find a true socket-compatible upgrade. And some later laptops (looking at you, Apple) are basically sealed and soldered units that can't be upgraded. I usually tell those would-be sellers that they bought a pig-in-poke that they can't even use for bacon.

Bob,
I have been a loyal subscriber ever since Fred Langa retired and recommended you. I built my gaming computer in 2013. My second for my wife in 2014.
Friends and Family depend on me for upgrades, repairs, and I depend on you Bob. Through the years you have always come through. Thank you!

I've always built my own and everyone else's SOTA PCs since their invention. I've also used HTPC-type rigs for entertainment/video. Currently, we have a NUC8 for the missus and a NUC10 as HTPC, etc. My 6 year old IntelZ170 'gamer' PC just wouldn't die. Regardless, I just built an IntelZ790-i7 system based around the Asus ProArtZ790Creator motherboard.
It was a fun learning curve as things really have changed in the last 6 years. Upgrading from the old Win10Pro to Win11Pro and resurrecting all of the software - I needed - was the least fun part. :(

I just fount this item. It may be helpful in choosing components:
https://www.zdnet.com/article/how-to-build-a-gaming-pc-for-550/

Ernie (Oldster)