Homebuilt computer
Encyclopedia
A homebuilt computer is a computer assembled from available components, usually commercial off-the-shelf
(COTS) components, rather than purchased as a complete system from a computer system supplier.
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 microprocessor
s, and since then many enthusiasts have constructed their own computers.
Early examples include the Altair 8800
from the United States and the later British 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 Altair 8800 pioneered the standardized S-100 bus
which somewhat simplified the process. Ultimately, the development of home computer
s, 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.
PCs and commercial "build to order" services ranging in size from small local supply operations to large international operations. Practically all PCs except laptop
s 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 standardization 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.
, up to systems built from scratch from components, owing nothing to any specific system assembler.
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. 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, peripheral devices, and operating system
).
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.
model, such as:
For the general public, however, the lack of technical support
and warranty protection (other than what is provided by the individual component and software manufacturers) may be a significant disadvantage. However, a person who is capable of designing and building a PC will most likely have sufficient knowledge and technical know-how to maintain his or her system, and will require little support from manufacturers.
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.
Commercial off-the-shelf
In the United States, Commercially available Off-The-Shelf is a Federal Acquisition Regulation term defining a nondevelopmental item of supply that is both commercial and sold in substantial quantities in the commercial marketplace, and that can be procured or utilized under government contract...
(COTS) components, rather than purchased as a complete system from a computer system supplier.
History
Computers have been built at home for a long time, starting with the Victorian eraVictorian era
The Victorian era of British history was the period of Queen Victoria's reign from 20 June 1837 until her death on 22 January 1901. It was a long period of peace, prosperity, refined sensibilities and national self-confidence...
pioneer Charles Babbage
Charles Babbage
Charles Babbage, FRS was an English mathematician, philosopher, inventor and mechanical engineer who originated the concept of a programmable computer...
in the 1820s. A century later, Konrad Zuse
Konrad Zuse
Konrad Zuse was a German civil engineer and computer pioneer. His greatest achievement was the world's first functional program-controlled Turing-complete computer, the Z3, which became operational in May 1941....
built his own machine when electromechanical relay
Relay
A relay is an electrically operated switch. Many relays use an electromagnet to operate a switching mechanism mechanically, but other operating principles are also used. Relays are used where it is necessary to control a circuit by a low-power signal , or where several circuits must be controlled...
technology was widely available. The hobby really took off with the early development of microprocessor
Microprocessor
A microprocessor incorporates the functions of a computer's central processing unit on a single integrated circuit, or at most a few integrated circuits. It is a multipurpose, programmable device that accepts digital data as input, processes it according to instructions stored in its memory, and...
s, and since then many enthusiasts have constructed their own computers.
Early examples include the Altair 8800
Altair 8800
The MITS Altair 8800 was a microcomputer design from 1975 based on the Intel 8080 CPU and sold by mail order through advertisements in Popular Electronics, Radio-Electronics and other hobbyist magazines. The designers hoped to sell only a few hundred build-it-yourself kits to hobbyists, and were...
from the United States and the later British Newbear 77-68 and Nascom
Nascom
The Nascom 1 and 2 were single-board computer kits issued in 1977 and 1979, respectively, based on the Zilog Z80 and including a keyboard and video interface, a serial port that could be used to store data on a tape cassette using the Kansas City standard, and two 8-bit parallel ports...
designs from the late 70's and early 80's. Some were made from kits of components, or simply distributed as board designs. The Altair 8800 pioneered the standardized S-100 bus
S-100 bus
The S-100 bus or Altair bus, IEEE696-1983 , was an early computer bus designed in 1974 as a part of the Altair 8800, generally considered today to be the first personal computer...
which somewhat simplified the process. Ultimately, the development of home computer
Home computer
Home computers were a class of microcomputers entering the market in 1977, and becoming increasingly common during the 1980s. They were marketed to consumers as affordable and accessible computers that, for the first time, were intended for the use of a single nontechnical user...
s, the IBM PC (and its derivatives
IBM PC compatible
IBM PC compatible computers are those generally similar to the original IBM PC, XT, and AT. Such computers used to be referred to as PC clones, or IBM clones since they almost exactly duplicated all the significant features of the PC architecture, facilitated by various manufacturers' ability to...
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.
Development as a hobby
Many people have found great satisfaction in being able to build their own desktops from scratch. Not only can someone build a desktop that can outperform a significant number of pre-built models selling in retail stores, but someone building their own desktop has the freedom to add whatever components they may desire. Such components can range from a variety of HDD drive capacities and speeds, cold cathode bulbs for aesthetic purposes, performance graphics cards (GPU's), monitor configurations, resolution, OS (operating system(s)), among many others such as cooling systems, sound cards,large power supply, quality motherboard, and keyboard mouse configurations. Building your own desktop allows you to customize just about every aspect of your computing needs. Oftentimes people are inclined to install two or more graphics cards to allow for highly demanding resolutions and computing/gaming needs. Additionally, for example, someone with gaming or video editing needs, can opt for a high level of RAM capacity (i.e. 8GB+), a high-end CPU, graphics card, and a quality monitor that can display according to the individual needs of the editor/gamer. Oftentimes, people enter competitions that compare individual "builds" (configurations) and computing power.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"White box (computer hardware)
In computer hardware, a white box is a personal computer or server without a registered brand name. For instance, the term is applied to systems assembled by small system integrators and to homebuilt computer systems assembled by end users from parts purchased separately at retail. In this latter...
PCs and commercial "build to order" services ranging in size from small local supply operations to large international operations. Practically all PCs except laptop
Laptop
A laptop, also called a notebook, is a personal computer for mobile use. A laptop integrates most of the typical components of a desktop computer, including a display, a keyboard, a pointing device and speakers into a single unit...
s 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 standardization exists "under the covers". Unfortunately many "big name" systems and especially laptops also contain components that vary widely from the "de facto
De facto
De facto is a Latin expression that means "concerning fact." In law, it often means "in practice but not necessarily ordained by law" or "in practice or actuality, but not officially established." It is commonly used in contrast to de jure when referring to matters of law, governance, or...
" standards that generic PC systems follow, which are only obtainable from the system assemblers concerned.
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 diskHard disk
A hard disk drive is a non-volatile, random access digital magnetic data storage device. It features rotating rigid platters on a motor-driven spindle within a protective enclosure. Data is magnetically read from and written to the platter by read/write heads that float on a film of air above the...
, up to systems built from scratch from components, owing nothing to any specific system assembler.
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
Barebone computer
A barebone computer is a partially assembled platform or an unassembled kit of computer parts allowing more customization and lower costs than a retail computer system. They are available for desktop computer, notebook and server purposes, and in nearly any form factor...
" 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. 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, peripheral devices, and operating system
Operating system
An operating system is a set of programs that manage computer hardware resources and provide common services for application software. The operating system is the most important type of system software in a computer system...
).
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
Linux
Linux is a Unix-like computer operating system assembled under the model of free and open source software development and distribution. The defining component of any Linux system is the Linux kernel, an operating system kernel first released October 5, 1991 by Linus Torvalds...
, with components selected on the basis of their compatibility and performance with that operating system.
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 among youth or in developing countries where the cost of new equipment places it out of reach of average people.Advantages and disadvantages
Building one's own computer affords tangible benefits compared to purchasing a mass-producedMass production
Mass production is the production of large amounts of standardized products, including and especially on assembly lines...
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.
- Ensure that one has all the individual driver and OS discs - many manufactured computers only come with one or two discs. one of which is the OS, and another is a "restore to factory condition" disc, which included all the "Bloatware" mentioned above. This inhibits latter modifiability (mentioned below).
- 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 extensive customization is desired.
- Enjoyment, personal satisfaction, and educational experience.
For the general public, however, the lack of technical support
Technical support
Technical support or tech support refers to a range of services by which enterprises provide assistance to users of technology products such as mobile phones, televisions, computers, software products or other electronic or mechanical goods...
and warranty protection (other than what is provided by the individual component and software manufacturers) may be a significant disadvantage. However, a person who is capable of designing and building a PC will most likely have sufficient knowledge and technical know-how to maintain his or her system, and will require little support from manufacturers.
Homebuilt computers and alternative operating systems
Microsoft Windows
Microsoft Windows is a series of operating systems produced by Microsoft.Microsoft introduced an operating environment named Windows on November 20, 1985 as an add-on to MS-DOS in response to the growing interest in graphical user interfaces . Microsoft Windows came to dominate the world's personal...
pre-installed, individuals who wish to use operating systems other than Windows (for example, Linux
Linux
Linux is a Unix-like computer operating system assembled under the model of free and open source software development and distribution. The defining component of any Linux system is the Linux kernel, an operating system kernel first released October 5, 1991 by Linus Torvalds...
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.