So I'm Building A Gaming PC! Part 1: The Introduction?

PART ONE: THE INTRODUCTION?

• Cost: Building your own personal computer from scratch can cut costs down considerably, yes it can sometimes seem easier to buy from a well known PC builder such as Dell or Alienware, but such companies will often charge you heavily for the actual man power needed to put the system together. Plus the actual process of putting all the many components together is easier then you might expect, if you've ever simply replaced the ram on your computer, there is a chance you'll be comfortable building your own set-up. 
• YOUR decisions: One of the most important advantages of building your own PC, be it for gaming or general usage. Is the simple ability to decide exactly what you want inside it. You choose the graphics card(s), the processor, the memory, the hard drive(s) and so on. It's your set-up to suit you, and that's a great feeling. Knowing you've build a computer that will suit both your budget and your needs. 
• An understanding: You will gain a true understanding of how a computer is put together and how it functions, this is important because it will help you diagnose any problems you come across. The more you learn the easier it gets, that's why research is so important. 
• Satisfaction and thrill: There is simply nothing like starting up and using a PC you've built, a PC you've put some time and effort into building. There is a simple thrill to be had and even after three years, I still can't believe my first build still works and operates like it does. It's one of the few things I've ever be proud of in my whole life. 

 
 The Antec Twelve Hundred Ultimate Gamer Case, arguably one of the best gamer cases currently available. There are many more, but as you can see there are some noticeable advantages to taking the time and building your own system instead of paying Dell or Alienware to make one for you. Of course you'll need time to get everything together, but it's worth it. Here are a few quick tips I've learnt from my first build: 

• Research, research, research: I can't emphasis enough how important research is, doing the months of research I did for my first build paid off massively and made the whole process of obtaining the right components (though I did make mistakes) and actually putting the whole thing together much easier. We live in an age where information is easy to obtain, and there are hundreds of great sites out there dedicated to building PC's. Research will make a huge difference. 
• Don't skip on components: This seems to be a common mistake, yet it still seems to be a piece of advice many totally ignore. Yes that generic power supply unit might be £40 cheaper then an Antec PSU, but you'll regret not paying that extra £40 when your PSU brakes after a month of use or does even more damage to the whole set-up within your computer. There is a reason why more experienced PC builders buy from reliable and trusted manufacturers, their products are better build, better tested and a hell of a lot more reliable. It's also important to choose every component with care, having a high end graphics card will mean bugger all if the PSU isn't up to the task of handling it. 
• Don't be afraid to ask: Another mistake often made, upon building my first system there was a bucket load of jargon I didn't understand. Yet asking around and reading many different websites concerning the matter, I grew to understand the important key aspects to look out for. Asking is easy, like I said previous there are hundreds of great custom PC sites out there. For example I often use the component section of AV Forums.
• Make sure you've chosen every component before making any purchases: A simple rule, and arguably the most important. Depending on budget, building your PC can get expensive. But it doesn't need to be, the insides of a computer unit are much the same as a human brain. If one component isn't working correctly or isn't even compatible with the rest of the system, it simply won't function. For example, buying the PSU (power supply unit) before even knowing what type of graphics card or processor you want is a big mistake. The PSU you've bought might only be 500-Watts yet the graphics card you buy later might require at least 650-watts of power to function at all. So before you buy anything, make you have a clear picture of your new PC and it's components in your mind.
• Don't go on looks alone: This is a rule I learnt the hard way, not to buy PC hardware on looks alone. While I took care in obtaining the right components, I went with looks when it came to the actual gamer case unit. To be fair the case did a fine enough job, but it was nowhere near as useful or functional as some of the better gamer cases out there. Again, you will often pay more for the better cases, but sometimes paying that extra something is worth it's weight in gold when it comes to the PC's functionality and ease to use.