Custom Built Computers

Steps to building the powerhouse system of you dreams

There are so many different computer systems and system components out there, where does a person or business begin when designing the computer of their dreams, or just the computer they need to get the job done.

Step One

Start with the heart of the computer, the motherboard, there are many good brands on the market, CRD has been working with MSI Motherboards for years. They provide a broad array of products to choose from, along with the flexibility to design the computer you need without going over budget.

Step Two 

Next the brain, AMD and Intel have been going back and forth for years on speed and quality, both are excellent but CRD recommends Amd processers in our systems, as they seem to run smoother and don't lag down during large processing tasks. There are many speeds and core variations to choose from, sit down with us and we will discuss your needs.

Step Three 

Add memory and plenty of it. XP recommends 512mb, Vista recommends a minimum of 1GB, so does Windows 7. CRD recommends a minimum of 1GB for XP, 4GB for Vista and Window 7.  We use Kingston Hyper X in all our top end systems, not only does it come with a lifetime warranty, it is one of the fastest brands on the market. For lower end boards standard Kingston memory will do, it is stable and rarely needs replaced. Once again there a lot of good brands on the market, but as you browse this website, you will see that we definitely have our favorites. Tried and tested parts that don't cause problems, we want your pc to last for many years to come.

Step Four

Don't forget hard drive storage, we deal with western digital and at the top of their line is the VelociRaptor, with the speed to keep up with today's processors and RAM speeds, it makes the perfect solution. Though a little on the high priced side of the market, it is one of the few that will allow your new PC to work at the speeds for which it was intended.                                                                                                           

Western Digital also carries a full line of high quality hard drives that suit well for a secondary storage drive. We recommend never storing your data on your main boot drive, this way if your pc crashes, the main drive can be replaced or formatted with out losing your files.

Step Five

Ok, let's talk towers and power supplies.  When it come to this decision, every person has their own taste, but one thing is undisputed-Thermaltake makes the best power supplies and cases on the market.  Make sure you pick a case with plenty of room for expansion, but don't sacrifice looks either, Thermaltake has something for every budget. When it comes to power supplies, Thermaltake's line of power supplies will supply your components with the stable power they need.

Those are the major components of what we consider to be some of the most powerful when it comes to custom built pcs. There are many other accessories you will need to deal with, like cooling fans, cd/dvd burners, interior lighting (if preferred), wireless network cards, the list goes on, but don't sweat it we can help you decide what will suit your needs.