This article will show you where you need to focus if you plan to buy a new computer. Of course we are talking about building your own custom computer part by part and not buying one of these pre-built pc systems that sellers offer. Building a custom computer offers significant more value than a ready system under a brand name.
First of all you need to identify how you are going to use your new computer. What is this that you want to do with it? The answer will guide you on how to shop for specific computer parts that we will see next. As you understand the cost of a new computer may be low to extreme.
If we translate these into numbers a new computer may cost as low as $300 and as high as $10.000. With such a high price range we need to know why we buy the specific components and how these will solve our true needs. For example it isn’t wise to buy an expensive video card if we are not going to play games.
Of course such options you have only in case of building a custom computer and not buying a ready system. In the case of a standalone ready pc, you buy whatever someone stranger put inside it. In most cases you also don’t have exact information about the parts that are included but only very general and useless info such as Intel CPU and 512MB Video Memory.
So we begin now to identify our needs. Below are some questions that may point you to the correct direction.
Are you going to play games?
Y. Your priority here is the video card. Next is the CPU and Motherboard. If you are going to play only games though, you actually need a gaming computer and prepare to spend a lot.
N. You can avoid spending in a video card as you can use a CPU/Motherboard combo that has an integrated graphics controller. You top priority in a system like this is CPU and Motherboard.
Are you going to use professional applications?
Y. Your top priority is a strong CPU. In some cases you may need to buy also professional computer components if the applications require. For example if you need to do 3d modeling you may have to buy a professional graphics card that cost a fortune.
N. No need for special hardware you just continue.
Are you going to watch movies?
Y. You are going to need a decent display and speaker setup. A simple graphics card will do the trick. Combine it with a good mainstream CPU and a motherboard that supports at least 5.1 digital audio.
N. You can save money from the speakers and the monitor.
Are you going to store lots of files such as personal photos, music and videos?
Y. You need large storage capacity. Buy these monster hard drives that offer over 2 TB space and you will forget how to delete. It is wise also to have another one Hard drive as backup as the quality of new generations of hard drives isn’t as high as it used to be.
N. No need to buy extremely high capacity storage drives.
At this point it is good to tell that whatever computer you decide to buy, one component must be of the highest quality it can. This is the power supply unit. Don’t try to cut from it. You will pay in double in the future.
No one in a retail shop will tell you about the power supply and they will try to give you a cheap one so to show you a very attractive offer. They ignore that the power supply unit is the heart of the system and it is responsible to power up and run your computer. Don’t do this mistake and buy a cheap low quality PSU.
These are some sample questions just to point you to the right direction. Your new computer is somewhere between these questions. When you are ready about what you want then you can proceed and buy a new computer. What you actually need for a working computer is listed below:
- Motherboard
- CPU
- Memory (RAM)
- Video Card (In most cases)
- A Hard Disk & an Optical Drive
- PSU
- Keyboard and Mouse
These are just the basic computer parts so to have working computer. If you decide and buy these stuff carefully then you will have a custom computer built from you to cover your needs and only. No useless features, just perfect value.