PC Build it Yourself Cheap or More Expensive?

by Tarraguña on April 12, 2009
in Uncategorized

I have often had this question in mind of weather it would be cheaper to buy a pre built system or to build the system yourself. I know that you would learn a great deal about computers if you built it all yourself and that should have a value. The value of this would be relative for each person so you yourself will need to weigh that factor on your own.

Tom’s Hardware has a wonderful (with pictures) site on How to Build your Own PC.

One neat aspect of the site is when he talks about the motherboad he includes a picture that maps out where everything connects.
MotherBoad

click her to enlarge.

It is an excelent “how to” but what I wondered while reading was ¿how much? And here is where I will try to break it down to dollars.
PC Case
MotherBoard
Processor
CPU Cooler (mini fan)
RAM
Harddrive
Graphics Card
CD Rom or DVD Drive
Floppy Drive (maybe not)
and also there are some other necesary accesories
Modem, ISDN card, or network card (if using DSL) for internet access
Sound card and loudspeakers for audio output
CD recorder, ZIP drive to store big files
Either a motherboard with integrated USB, or separate USB card for connecting things like a camera
Video capture card with IEEE1394/FireWire (i-Link) interface, if possible for video editing or use with a camcorder

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