Homebuilt computer
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A Homebuilt Computer system is a computer assembled from available components, rather than purchased as a complete system from a computer system supplier.
[edit] History
Computers have been built at home for a long time, starting with the Victorian era pioneer Charles Babbage in the 1820s. A century later, Konrad Zuse built his own machine when electromechanical relay technology was widely available. The hobby really took off with the early development of microprocessors, and since then many enthusiasts have constructed their own computers.
Early examples from the United Kingdom include the Newbear 77/68 and Nascom designs from the late 70's and early 80's. Some were made from kits of components, or simply distributed as board designs. The development of standardized S-100 bus components made the process easier, but the development of home computers, the IBM PC (and its derivatives and clones), and the industry of specialized component suppliers that grew up around this market in the mid 80's have made building computers much easier. Computer building is no longer limited to specialists.
[edit] Development as a hobby
Assembling custom PCs from components is now a well established adjunct to PC gaming, and has evolved into a minor art form with case modifications, illuminated fans, cold cathode display tubes, windowed and transparent cases, and styled and customized cabling. Overclocking enthusiasts take efficiency further, building systems that seek a higher performance than the CPU manufacturers' rating by modifying core CPU voltages and clock settings, and using high-efficiency cooling strategies ranging from oversized heat sinks to advanced water cooling or refrigeration systems.
[edit] Standardization
The same availability of standardised PC components that makes computer building so easy and widespread has led to the development of small scale custom PC assembly; with so called "white box" PCs and commercial "build to order" services ranging in size from small local supply operations to large International operations.
Practically all PCs except laptop and portable systems are largely built from interchangeable standard parts because PC manufacturers enjoy an advantage of scale, and the system assemblers derive a commercial advantage from multiple sources of interchangeable parts. Even in the more specialised laptop market, a considerable degree of standardisation exists "under the covers". Unfortunately many "big name" systems and especially laptops also contain components that vary widely from the "de facto" standards that generic PC systems follow, which are only obtainable from the system assemblers concerned. You can visit http://www.computer-anatomy.com to find out more.
[edit] Types
Since it is possible to adapt, expand, update, or otherwise customise any PC within the limits of the PCs conformance to standard component interfaces, homebuilt PC systems form a continuum from standard system suppliers offerings adapted with an alternative video card or uprated hard disk, up to systems built from scratch from components, owing nothing to any specific system assembler.
[edit] Kits and barebones systems
Computer kits include all of the hardware (and sometimes the operating system software, as well) needed to build a complete computer. Because the components are pre-selected by the vendor, the planning and design stages of the computer-building project are eliminated, and the builder's experience will consist solely of assembling the computer and installing the operating system. In theory, the kit supplier will have tested the components to assure that they are compatible and free of conflicts.
A "barebones computer" is a variation on the kit concept. A barebones system typically consists of a computer case with a power supply, motherboard, processor, and processor cooler already installed by the vendor. A wide variety of other combinations are also possible: some barebones systems come with just the case and the motherboard, while other systems are virtually complete. In either case, the purchaser will need to obtain and install whatever parts are not included in the barebones kit (typically the hard drive, Random Access Memory, and peripheral devices).
Like mass-produced computers, barebones systems and computer kits are often targeted to particular types of users, and even different age groups. Because many home computer builders are gamers, for example, and because gamers are often young people, barebones computers marketed as "gaming systems" often include features such as neon lights and brightly-colored cases, as well as features more directly related to performance such as a fast processor, a generous amount of Random Access Memory, and a powerful video card. Other kits and barebones systems may be specifically marketed to users of an "alternative" operating system like Linux, with components selected on the basis of their compatibility and performance with that operating system.
[edit] Scavenged and "cannibalized" systems
Many amateur-built computers are built primarily from used or "spare" parts. There are variety of possible reasons why a person would choose to build a "new" computer from old parts. For example, it's sometimes necessary to build a computer that will run an obsolete operating system or proprietary software for which updates are no longer available, and which will not run properly on a current platform. Economic reasons may also require an individual to build a new computer from used parts, especially in developing countries where the cost of new equipment places it out of reach of average people.
[edit] Advantages and disadvantages
Building one's own computer arguably affords tangible benefits compared to purchasing a mass-produced model, such as:
- Being able to choose exactly which components are to be used.
- Customizing the machine to the user's exact needs and preferences.
- Avoiding the advertising links, trial software, and other commission-driven additions and modifications that increasingly are made to mass-market computers prior to their being shipped.
- Being able to make modifications to the original build at a later date with little hassle.
- May be less expensive than a mass-manufactured PC, especially if extensively customization is desired.
- Enjoyment, personal satisfaction, and educational experience.
For the general public, however, the lack of technical support and warranty protection (other than what may or may not be provided by the individual component and software manufacturers) may be a significant disadvantage. However, one must remember that a person who is capable of designing and building a PC will most likely have sufficient knowledge and technical know-how to maintain their system, and will require little "technical support" from manufacturers.
[edit] Homebuilt computers and alternative operating systems
Because almost all mass-manufactured PCs ship with some version of Microsoft Windows pre-installed, individuals who wish to use operating systems other than Windows (for example, Linux or BSD) often choose to build their own computers. Their reason for doing so is not always related to saving money on an operating system.
Because Microsoft Windows is the de facto standard for PCs, hardware device drivers can readily be found that will enable virtually any component designed for the PC architecture to function on a Windows platform. However, the same isn't true for alternative operating systems like Linux and BSD, so these system users have to be careful to avoid hardware that is incompatible with their choice of operating system. Even among hardware devices that technically will "work" with these alternative operating systems, some will work better than others. Therefore, many users of non-Microsoft operating systems choose to build their own computers from components known to work particularly well with their preferred platforms.
