The parts you need to build a PC can be purchased individually, usually online. Here's your building-a-computer checklist:
Do you like to code? Do you know what "defrag" means? Have you ever said to yourself, "Wow, I'd love to make my own computer!"? Are you completely undaunted by the acronyms SSD, RAM, GPU, and OS? In other words, are you a computer nerd?
You don't need chunky glasses and a pocket protector to want to learn how to save up money for a gaming PC, how to code, where to get free, open-source software, or how to save on all of your computing-related pursuits! Here is our ultimate savings guide for the computer nerd inside of all of us.
If you've been telling yourself, "I will build my own PC!" for years but are nervous about spending too much, use our short computer-building guide to learn how to cut back on costs. We've got plenty of tips for learning how to build your PC without breaking the bank, including deals, refurbished options, coupons, and strategies.
First, let's answer the question, "What do you need to build a computer?" Then, we'll go into how much each part usually costs. Lastly, we'll show you how to build your computer with deals so that you can create something completely custom for a fraction of the normal price.
The parts you need to build a PC can be purchased individually, usually online. Here's your building-a-computer checklist:
The cost to build a PC can range anywhere between $300 and $2,000 or even more. The average cost to build a PC is typically between $750 and $1,000 if you're building for gaming purposes. Some can pull together an excellent build for about $500, but most people would need to be very strict with their budgets. For people who are new to building their own PCs, it can be easier and cheaper to buy a fairly cheap computer and swap out some of the most important parts (like the RAM or GPU) themselves. Here's a quick breakdown of the cost of each PC part:
Now that you're no longer wondering what parts to buy when building a PC, how can you cut costs on those parts? Here are a handful of the best strategies:
Definitely do your research, as frequently, those new to building computers will buy parts that don't fit, need to return them, and lose a lot of money in the process. Frequently, the problem will be matching the CPU to the motherboard. Also, remember that your powerful PC needs to stay cool, so be sure your build has a good power supply and enough fans. Check your PC part compatibility by reading all of the fine print in the descriptions for each item. If you don't know an acronym, look it up. Note that you can also use a computer parts compatibility checker to double-check your work!
Now that you have the hardware together, what about the software? You definitely don't have to splurge on an OS, Office 365, Adobe products, or any of the other really expensive programs that have been around for more than a decade. Often, you can find open-source or free software that will fill your needs without bloatware or spam attached to it.
Luckily, we don't live in a world that demands that you run expensive operating systems like Windows or MacOS; there's always Linux, which is a family of operating systems based on open-source code and happens to be completely free. There are numerous options within that system, like Ubuntu and Debian. The best free operating system for gamers tends to be SteamOS. If you're looking to shave an extra few hundred dollars off of your total computer-build price tag, leaning how to use one of the Linux systems may be the way to go!
Open-source programs are programs with source code that people can modify and change, rather than a team tightening their grip and protecting proprietary code. Here's some of the best free software that would be most useful while building your PC, but note that this isn't everything: Check out this open-source software list with hundreds of different options!
There are also plenty of other free options that are not open-source! Definitely do your research and look at their background processes, though.
If you're really passionate about computers, there are many different other things you can do to cut back while still keeping all of the same levels of enthusiasm. Learning coding can be fun, often free, and at times even profitable, for instance. Here are some ways to earn more and spend less on your computer obsession!
Having your own computer that you built yourself is great, but chances are good that if you're a computer nerd, you'll like want to use it for more than writing emails. Explore and learn new skills; you don't have to pay a school to learn the basics! For instance, you could learn to code for free on one of these websites.
While you're shopping for computer parts or even setting up your system, don't forget that computers can be a huge draw for power. Energy costs in your home might spike suddenly, creating more costs. Even if they somehow don't, being energy-conscious may be a good opportunity to do better for the planet. Here are some ways to cut back on energy usage from your powerful computer:
In addition to saving money, you could also make money! While saving on computers with coupons might be a good idea, it also might be a good idea to profit from your hobby. For instance, if you enjoyed making your own computer, you can also offer to do so for friends for a $50 or $100 profit. You could also take the programming you learned and do some freelance work or even get a job with it! Note that you could also volunteer your unique skills with DoSomething.org or VolunteerMatch.org. They are plenty of ways to help the world with your new skills!