Early on a Saturday morning, huddled under a warm winter jacket, I made my way through snow and ice to the home of CHS freshman Fabio Zihlmann. My pockets, stuffed with CD’s, various wires and screwdrivers, prepared me for what was about to become a nightmare. As I entered his basement, I was met with piles of opened boxes and computer parts strewn over the wooden floor, ready to assemble into a monster of a machine.

I like the idea of building something powerful.” He says while unboxing various parts. “[Custom PC’s] have a lot of potential.”

Zihlmann is just one of many students attending CHS that have created their own personal computer, tailored to their personal needs. Whether it’s a workstation for video editing, a rig for full blown gaming or just a computer for everyday school work, a custom built PC can be tailored to specific needs. For Fabio, it was an all around workstation that could perform well in every application, and the $2000 price tag reflects that. Called the “Aventador”, Zihlmann hopes his new PC will last him well into his senior year at Clayton.

    Having experience with computers myself, I feel the excitement that comes with the build. Using something that you created by hand gives you a certain satisfaction that just doesn’t come with going to a nearby retailer and hauling something home. Undoubtedly, the finished product that you create will leave you with essential tech information and even some unique bragging rights.

    Usually, mentioning building computers gets a turn of heads. The reputation that a custom built PC is expensive, time consuming, and difficult to complete is a common misconception that many people have. However, it’s usually the very opposite.

    Online, there are an abundance of tutorials and in-depth guides for almost everything needed to complete your build: component selection, troubleshooting and compatibility are just a few. In the rare case you can’t find what you’re looking for, forums on websites such as Tom’s Hardware and Tek Syndicate have build a community of experts that are more than happy to help you get through issues. If done correctly, a computer build won’t need to take more than a few hours.

    Part selection is one of the easiest (and most enjoyable) things to do. If you don’t want to spend hours at a local Microcenter (or are just shy), PC Part Picker offers an invaluable tool to newcomers when it comes to component selection. It offers an easy compatibility checks and price comparisons that don’t leave you scrambling for a sales associate or back to the store for a hasty return.

Finally, the issue of price. The same with a Dell PC or laptop, prices can range from the mid 300’s, all the way to as expensive as you want it to be. Sure, cheaper built computers might not have the bells and whistles of one that costs two or three grand, but it’ll still provide you with a working computer that can do everything you need it to, and possibly better.

Custom built PC’s are nothing new to 2013. They have been around for nearly a decade, and have provided consumers with an alternative to overpriced and underpowered machines. Opposed to manufactured computer’s (the ones you can take off the shelves), custom PC’s have parts that are more reliable and high quality. Big companies such as HP and Dell have a high priority for profit, and the cheaper they can make their components, the more money they can stuff into their pockets.

    In the end, our hard work managed to conclude with us creating somewhat of a masterpiece. Housed in a beautiful, minimalistic case, the computer runs whisper quiet and buttery smooth. Taking less than three hours, the end product is something to be marveled.