Hardware Reference
In-Depth Information
systems is all the other software they install. What I'm talking about is all the time- or feature-limited
trial software, as well as pure advertisements and marketing gimmicks, often called junkware.
Although it is unwelcome by most users and can sometimes be a chore to clean off, the truth of the
matter is that the developers of these programs pay a significant amount of money to the larger OEMs
to preload them on their systems. The revenue generated by installing junkware can shave many
dollars off the price of a system.
It is clear that the reasons for building a system from scratch often have less to do with saving money
and more to do with the experience you gain and the results you achieve. In the end, by building your
own, you have a custom system that contains the exact components, OS, and features you have
selected. Most of the time when you buy a preconfigured system, you have to compromise in some
way. For example, you might get the video adapter you want, but you would prefer a different make or
model of motherboard. You might want to use Windows 7 instead of Windows 8, or maybe you want
to install Linux instead. By building your own system, you can select the exact components you want
and build the ultimate system for your needs. The experience is also very rewarding. You know
exactly how your system is constructed and configured because you have done it yourself. This makes
future support and installation of additional accessories much easier.
Another benefit of building your own system is that you are guaranteed an industry-standard system
that will be easily upgradeable in the future. Many of the larger system vendors use proprietary
components that can make future upgrades difficult or impossible. Of course, if you have been reading
the book up to this point, you already know everything you need to ensure any preassembled systems
you purchase would use industry-standard components and thus be upgradeable and repairable in the
future.
One way to save money is by using components from your current system. The monitor, keyboard,
mouse, storage devices, most adapter cards, and even the case and power supply from an old system
will likely work in a new system as well. Things you probably won't be able to reuse include
motherboards, processors, memory, and video cards.
As a form of recycling, I like to take old systems that are being discarded and rebuild them using new
components. Essentially, this means that I gut the system and reuse the case, fans, possibly the power
supply, and as many other internal components as I can. Many of the cases used in older retail systems
are attractive, well built, and accept industry-standard components. By recycling the case and other
parts in my new system builds, I can save some money and a little bit of the environment at the same
time.
So, if you are interested in a rewarding and educational experience and want a customized and fully
upgradeable system, building your own PC is the way to go.
This chapter details the components necessary to assemble your own system, explains the assembly
procedures, and lists some recommendations for components and their sources.
The components used in building a typical PC are as follows:
• Case
• Power supply (often included with the case)
• Motherboard
• Processor (CPU)
• CPU fan/heatsink (usually included with the processor)
