TechSavvy: Building a cheap PC

Payton H. Wilmott, Gleaner Writer

Often times persons with limited budgets ask me how to get bang for their buck in the world of personal computers. Is it cheaper to build a PC? Where can I buy the parts?

Today, I'll address all this concern. So, folks, take notes because you'll only see this once.

To build or not to build: which is cheaper?

Yes, it is cheaper to build a PC than to buy a factory-built one, but there are some critical factors you may have to take into account before you start jumping for joy.

1. Factory-built PCs come with a warranty for the consumer, giving you that extra cushion as you launch out into the unknown, but if you build your own, you are on your own.

2. Factory-built PCs are outfitted with an operating system, which every working computer needs to function. If you build your PC, you'll have to pay dearly for a Windows OS disc. These honeys will cost you anywhere from $10,000-$40,000, in total.

3. On the flip side, parts are easily attainable for a system built by you, compared to one issued by a factory. So you'll have no worries searching for replacement parts for any defective components.

4. Also, it is much easier to upgrade a system you have built than a factory-built gizmo.

Parts for building your dirt-cheap PC

AMD Sempron LE (below $7,000).

Zotac motherboard or any other motherboard that supports the AMD chipset (below $7,000).

DDR2 [800 MHz] 1GB memory (below $4,000).

Case or shell [some models come with keyboard and mouse as a package] (below $5,000).

Samsung DVD burner (below $3,000).

Samsung hard drive 160G (below $6,000).

BenQ 15.6"-inch monitor (below $11,000).

So to set the record straight, you can have your own customised PC for roughly $43,000.

Software for dirt-cheap PC

Most persons believe that if a PC ain't using a Windows OS, it's not the real deal. Well, here is some encouraging news for those persons. Windows isn't the only OS in the world - there are many others - but in the interest of time and newsprint constraints, I'll be focusing only on the Ubuntu Linux.

Every PC needs an OS to work, and Linux is a free and popular option that's generally available to the public for download. The software needed to make your PC complete is Open Office, the poor man's solution to Microsoft Office. Open Office documents can be used in Microsoft Office, and vice versa, so there is no need to worry about compatibility.

P.S: You don't need an antivirus software because they aren't any viruses for Linux.

Final thoughts

It doesn't hurt to try new things in your life now and again, and building a PC is one of the most fulfilling things you can do, because you get what you pay for. If you can't put it together yourself, hire someone for a small fee, because in the end you'll certainly know what makes your PC tick.

The products mentioned in this article were provided courtesy of Royale Computers and Accessories; telephone 906-1067, 906-1068 and 754-5048. Email feedback to saturdaylife@gleanerjm.com.