Building My Own Computer: Introduction

Amid the deepening condition of our country’s economic recession, I decided to do what any fiscally responsible adult should do: build a totally decked out computer for the ages.  It’s actually not as bad as it sounds.  Every few years or so I need a new computer, and when that time comes I build it myself.  The last computer I built was in 2001.  Eight years is a pretty long time for someone who uses their computer as extensively as I do.  By now, that computer’s speed and response times have reached the point where the frustration is enough to make me dish out for a new computer.  That’s how it goes.  When you just can’t bear it anymore, it’s time to get a new one, even if that time comes during a historic economic downslide.  Many people consider a good computer a luxury.  In my case, a good computer is as essential as anything in my life that doesn’t fall into the food/shelter category.  I use a computer to do everything, and when I say everything, I really mean it.

The last time I built my computer, I did the usual thing.  I researched a little bit on the web and went to Fry’s an bought my parts.  This time, the online shopping options have progressed to the point where I wouldn’t even consider going to a real store to get my parts.  It’s cheaper online, there are more choices, shipping is pretty fast, and on and on. That was a no-brainer.  So I decided that I was not going to compromise on anything.  I was going to get the perfect hardware for each part of the computer, down to the screw. Another thing that wasn’t available in 2001 was the fantastic DonationCoder Forums.  I enlisted the help of this fantastic community to help me find all the right parts.  Even though I’m a major computer geek, I don’t keep up with the hardware, so I don’t really know what to get.  Hardware is more of a gamer thing.  Gamers keep up with all that stuff and I’m definitely not one of them.  Many, many thanks to all the DC members who advised me on this project.

Thanks to 40hz for the sketch above!