The personal computer industry is constantly changing, so finding a good deal can be challenging. Many computer retailers offer computer customization, which allows consumers to select the specific features they want. Customized computers may cost slightly more than a preset one, but they allow for more flexibility and can better suit an individual's requirements.

Determine Specifications

There are several features, such as the hard drive, processor and RAM, that will need to be selected. Each of these selections will be based on the range of technology that is currently available. The hard drive determines the amount of storage space the computer will have. With storage space increasing, this is usually not a primary concern unless you will be storing many large files, like pictures and movies. The processor is like the brain of the computer and determines how quickly it can handle calculations. This speed is especially needed for tasks like gaming and video editing. Current operating systems work well with dual-core processors and above. The RAM determines the multitasking ability of the computer. Games, videos and multiple windows especially require higher amounts of RAM. Most current programs usually work well with 2 GB or more of RAM. DVD burner drives are usually standard and allow reading and writing of CDs and DVDs. A sound card will usually be either standard stereo sound or 7.1 surround sound capable. The graphics card is especially important for gaming and multimedia editing. Good graphics cards typically have about 256 MB to 1 GB of memory.

Choose Retailer

There are many computer retailers that allow for hardware customization. Costco offers customization options for desktops and laptops. Dell also allows for computer customization. There are many other computer companies that will also build custom computers. It is a good idea to compare prices since computers are a competitive market.

Self Assembly

If you choose to assemble the parts yourself, you will need some additional parts. The case and motherboard are the starting pieces that will determine which other components will be compatible. A power supply will also need to be selected in order to provide enough power for all the hardware you will be adding. Usually 300W is enough for a power supply to support all of the hardware in the computer. If possible, it's best to have one large RAM card as opposed to multiple smaller ones. RAM is also relatively easy to upgrade later on.

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