Articles on Build PC

Getting a barebone gaming computer kit is the best way to build your own gaming computer effortlessly. The barebone of the computer consists of the computer case, power supply, motherboard, CPU and memory RAM. Some of them do add in hard drive or graphics card into their barebone kit.

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“Refurbished” means it is not new, but don’t go away thinking that it is no good. In fact, refurbished PC is the best way to get a powerful, full-featured PC on a budget, even when you are looking to build the ultimate gaming computer.
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When it comes to choosing the parts for our ultimate gaming PC, we emphasis more on the price-performance ratio rather than the price of the hardware. The rationale is to build a high end PC that can play all the resource-intensive games at an affordable price. Thus, don’t be surprised if you don’t find the latest and the most expensive hardware in our ultimate list.
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Before the introduction of gaming laptop, no one has ever thought that it is possible to play 3D intensive game on this small mobile device. Now, everything has changed. With the maturity of gaming laptop, more and more gamers are switching from the conventional desktop to the small laptop to satisfy their gaming needs.

As technology advances everyday, you can expect to see new model of laptops appearing in the market every few months. To prevent falling into the technology trap, it is necessary to understand about the laptop parts and what you should look out for when choosing the best gaming laptop.

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Building a dedicated game server is easy. You just need to gather the necessary resources and a little hands-on session to get everything going.

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Windows Vista is coming! If your current system is not a Windows Vista capable computer, it?s time you start to prepare for it.

Windows Vista is a total makeover from its predecessor, Windows XP. It contains new features, better security architecture and an improved user interface. On hardware side, it is much more demanding. The same old system that runs Windows XP well can no longer be used for Windows Vista.

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It is very easy to install a graphics card, all it needs is only 15 mins of your time and you can get your gaming computer booting up with the new graphics card.

AGP slot was the standard for graphics card interface with the motherboard. As technology advances, the newer PCI-Express has taken over and many graphics card nowadays use PCI-E slot as its interface with the motherboard.

Before you can install the graphics card, you need to identify which type of slot does your graphics card uses. If you are not sure which slot does your graphics card use, check out the user manual that comes with the graphics card.

(Click the image to enlarge)

Once you are ready to install your graphics card, follow these four steps…

Step 1: Uninstall the current graphics card drivers

Before you install your new card, you have to uninstall your current card driver. This is because the current driver might not be compatible with the new graphics card and it might result in hardware conflict.

On your Windows desktop, click ‘Start’ -> ‘Control Panel’. In the new window that pops up, search for the ‘System’ icon and double click on it. Look for the ‘hardware’ tab. Click on the ‘Device Manager’. This will pop up a new window showing your entire hardware configuration. Your graphics card should be listed under the ‘Display Adapter’ heading. Double-click the name of your graphics card. In the next window, go to ‘Driver’ tab and right below, there is an ‘Uninstall’ button. Click the Uninstall button. Once it is done, close all the windows and shut down your computer.

Step 2: Remove old graphics card

Now, unplug the power socket from the wall and remove the casing of your computer. Locate the AGP slot (short brown color slot above the rows of long white PCI slot) with your old graphics card. To prevent static charge from damaging your computer parts, touch a metal part of the case to ground yourself. Remove the screw on the back plate of the graphics card and unplug the graphics card from the slot.

Step 3: Install new card.

Align the new card correctly with the AGP slot (align with the PCI-e slot if your graphics card is of the PCI express type). Applying even forces on both end of the card, slowly push the new graphics card into the slot. Secure it to the back plate with a screw.

Step 4: Install new drivers.

Plug in all cables and boot up your Windows. Your operating system should now automatically recognize the new hardware and walk you through the installation wizard. Most of the time, you will need to insert the driver CD that come with the graphics card into the CD-ROM. Locate the ’setup.exe’ file in the driver CD and double click on it. It will then walk you through the installation process. If your graphics card is not the latest model, then most probably there is a newer version of the driver on the Internet. Check out the manufacturer’s website and download the latest drivers. Install it. Once done, reboot your PC.

Now, you’re ready to start gaming.

Sometimes, it is more worthwhile to build your own gaming computer.

There are several advantages:

Firstly, building your own computer allows you to have more flexibility and control. By buying a fully assembled PC off the shelf, you are changing your needs to suit the PC, whereas when you build your own computer, you are customizing the computer to suit your needs. Which one do you prefer?

Secondly, it is much cheaper to build your own computer. There is no mark up, no labour cost, no service charge, no delivery fee etc. Check out the comparison table below:

* Parts specification and price taken from a commercial retailer website
** All price quoted are from TigerDirect.com

For the comparison table above, I have chosen parts that are either similar or better than the commercial gaming system, and the total cost is only about two thirds of that.

Convinced that it is worthwhile building your own gaming computer?

And What The Computer Retailers Don’t Want You To Know!

For a gamer, what can be more fulfilling than to build your own gaming computer? In fact, the only way to get the best out of your computer and maximize your gaming experience is to build it yourself. However, there are tightly kept secrets among computer retailers that they don’t want you to know, because it will affect their profitability to a great extent. This article will reveal the secrets that all gamers need to know.

Secret 1) It is very easy to build your own gaming computer

If everyone knows how easy it is to build a computer, then no one will be buying from the computer retailers. This is why most computer retailers tell you that it is very troublesome and complicated to build your own and it is better off to buy one off the shelf. In actual fact, my 10 years old kid took only 1 hour to figure out how to build a computer. How long do you think you need?

Secret 2) It is much cheaper to build your own gaming computer than to buy one off the shelf

Keep in mind that the main focus of the computer retailer is to make as much profit from you, not how good your gaming experience is. As such, never expect a cheap gaming computer from computer retailers. Occasionally, computer retailers may package their computers in a low price to entice you to buy. The fact is: you will not be getting the quality component that your price is paying. Most of the parts in the computer will not be suitable for gaming usage. It might boost the latest CPU in the market, but the power supply, graphics card, motherboards and memory are parts that get obsolete very fast. If you are patient enough to shop around and source for the parts you want, you can save up to 30 - 50% of what you going to pay at the retail store.

Secret 3) Off the shelf computers are not upgradeable

Building your own computer allows you to choose the parts that are upgradeable in the future. Off the shelf computers don’t and the retailers are keeping mum about it. Most off the shelf computers are using parts that will grow obsolete in a year or two times and the only choice you have then is to buy another computer from them again.

Secret 4) You don’t need extended warranties and technical support

Your computer retailers will definitely sell you the benefit of having extended warranties and technical support because they know that most of the time, it will not realise and it is a pure profit for them. By buying one, you’re betting that your product will break, that the extended warranty will cover the damage, and that repairing the product would cost more than you paid for the extended warranty. In that case, why bother to buy from them in the first place? When you build your own gaming computer, each part comes with warranty. Even if it spoils, you only have to change the individual part rather than the whole computer. This is much cheaper than what you pay for the extended warranty. In addition, the lifespan of a computer system is generally 3-5 years. By the time your whole computer system is spoilt, it is also time to get a new one because all your computer parts will be obsolete by then.

Conclusion

The only way to get the best out of your computer, be it the cost or the gaming performance, is to build your own gaming computer. Computer retailers are keeping mum about this fact and trying means to entice you to buy from them. If you are serious about gaming, don’t ever let the computer retailers stand in your way of owning your very best gaming computer.

If you’re on a budget, getting a refurbished gaming computer is a cheap and good way to own a gaming computer.

Refurbished means it is not new, but don’t go away thinking that "used" computers are inferior. You will be surprised to find that most of the refurbished computers can perform tasks as good as a new computer. In fact, more and more gamers are buying cheap refurbished computer and then reconstruct them by adding higher RAM and better graphics card. The result is: a gaming computer that performs, but at the price of peanuts.

There are several benefits in getting a refurbished gaming computer.

Price

A brand new gaming computer usually lies in the range of $1500-$4000, depending on the parts you choose. For half the price, you can easily get a refurbished computer that can perform the same tasks as the brand new one. Unless you are a technology geek who goes for the latest gadgets in the market, it makes no sense to spend the extra money on something where you can get it for less.

Parts as good as brand new

The refurbished computer you are getting comes with parts that are reconditioned and recertified, which means that they have been through a series of tests to ensure that they are working perfectly. All refurbished computers and parts also come with warranty. It is really the safest way you can get a cheap gaming computer.

Finding a refurbished gaming computer online

TigerDirect! has a Recertified Sale Center that specializes in refurbished products. Be it a motherboard, laptop, graphics card, CPU or anything, you name it, they have it. TigerDirect! is an online store that I strongly recommended. I have purchased products from them before and I am really impressed with the quality of their products and the speedy services.

My Recommend Refurbished Gaming Computer Configuration

	eMachines T5028 CPU: Intel Pentium 4 3.00GHz Processor Interface: Socket LGA 775 RAM: 512MB DDR2 533 RAM Hard Drive: 160GB IDE 7200rpm hard disk GPU: ATI Radeon XPRESS 200 Integrated Graphics, 128MB shared memory Optical Drive: Dual Layer DVD burner Power Supply: 300 Watts Operating System: Windows Vista Home Basic Price: $269.99 (find out more)
Additional Upgrade
	Memory / RAM Kingston 512MB DDR2 533 Memory Price: $25.99 (find out more)
	Graphics Card GPU: nVidia GeForce 8600GT Video Memory: 512MB DDR2 RAM Maximum Resolution: 2560 x 1600 Interface: PCIe x 16 Connector: DVI, VGA, HDTV/S-Video Price: $124.99 (find out more)
	Power Supply Unit Ultra X-Finity 500 Watts SATA/SLi Ready Price: $39.97 (find out more)

In conclusion…

There are thousands and one ways to get a cheap computer. Getting a refurbished gaming computer is surely one of the best ways. Hopefully, this guide has helped you in making a selection.