Hi there.
Factory built CPU's are made to do pretty much everything but the manufacturer also wants to make a GOOD profit with the machine, and offers what they think the consumer needs, or want them to "need".
Those CPU's are Jacks of all trades, but master of none, and the noname brands kinda follow the same trend, but as Excaliborg said;you always get what you pay for, and i often say; the "clones" are both the best and the worst computers, depending on the price and the "reputation" of the builder.
If you decide to build your own CPU you have to know at least a bit about the inner workings of a computer, it definately shuldn't be your first computer, unless you are an electronic tech and know what you are doing.
But it isn't that hard, but if you do it to save money, you will probably miss your mark, because once you start researching the parts that you need, you will want better parts and those are more expensive, but your computer will be better built in return, also computer stores buy "OEM" parts, which are "mostly" the same as store bought "box" models but with some minor but important differences, first the software you get with the "box" version is usually more extensive, and the all important warranty is much longer on the "box" version and they cost more, that and the fact that the reseller buys his components from a wholesaler and in quantity he gets a better price, and another way they save money is to put in less; smaller slower hard drives, less slower memory, etc, when you build your own CPU you probably won't do that, why? Because it isn't in your best interest, if you put in less ram, or a smaller hard drive, you will have to upgrade sooner instead of later, so saving a buck shouldn't be an issue, you will get out what you put in.
As an example you put in a brand name video card and a more expensive one, you may end up with a computer that you can watch TV on and watch your computer on your big screen TV, not something most brand name computers can do.
Also, the assembly of a computer is almost fool proof, most connectors canot be plugged incorectly, and most require very little force to connect, if you would need to force something, it means you are not doing it right, look at both parts and you will see how they are supposed to "mate", the only connectors you have to apply some force to are the POWER connectors that require a good SOLID connection and you easily slide them in about half way, and then you apply a bit more force, but only if they did go in half way in, the only other exeption is ram it goes in half the way, make sure the notch(es) match and when they are alligned you push it in until the little arms on each side snap onto the small ram board.
And you only need 1 medium phillips (cross) screwdriver to build the whole thing.
And something i CANOT over stress: READ THE MANUALS THAT COME WITH THE COMPONENTS, EVEN IF YOU KNOW WHAT THEY DO AND HOW THEY WORK, YOU MAY STILL LEARN SOMETHING!
And one thing that can kill your computer is static electricity, if you are prone to it, ground yourself before you touch any of the electronics
A good well built CPU should cost you at $1500 - $2500, but can cost much more if you go over"board".
JohnDowe.
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