by David A. Goodwin

Created on: May 30, 2008   Last Updated: April 13, 2009

Not only is building your own PC a great way to save money, you will also walk way from the deal with a PC custom built for the use you intend. Keeping that use in clear focus will help you avoid spending more on unnecessary options, or on performance that will not be used, making the project a total success!

You might be surprised to find I am first going to talk about software. A PC is useless if it cannot do what you need it to do. What you need your PC to do is based on the software you will be using. So, on to the software!

What do you need of your PC?

If you are PC gamer, a graphics designer, 3D modeler, an architect using a CAD type program, or using any other applications which model 3D objects or video graphics, then you will indeed need some powerful resources. Do some research to evaluate what the application relies on. What are the system requirements?

Some applications make heavy use of the graphics adapter rather than memory. Some require a top of the line processor, due to intensive calculation processing. Consult reviews of the software on line. You can usually find out what hardware is more important to an application. Where funds are limited, this can be key to the functionality of your PC.

On the other hand, if you are primarily just doing a lot of typing, like I am right now, not much in the way of resources are required. I can type nearly as fast on an antiquated Pentium 150 with notepad, as I can on the AMD 3800 I am using now.

However, the newer word processors have many additional helpful features, so again, know the system requirements for the applications you will use.

The compatibility factor.

Changing out PC parts is, by design, as simple as plugging things in and tightening a few screws. A part simply will not fit in an incompatible connector. A PCI Graphics adapter will not fit an AGP connector. A square peg does not fit in a round hole. You will usually know if you have an incompatible part because it doesn't fit. How will you know before you buy it though?

You will need to do some research in advance to insure compatibility. There is a little bit of a learning curve, but it's not insurmountable, even for the total novice. Thankfully, if you look at PC components on line or in the store, the manufacturer will give some details about the specifications on the web page, in a link, or on the physical box.

For example, the specifications on a motherboard box or web site will tell you what types of connectors it has, and which memory, video

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