Low cost computing starts from building a low cost computer. The key factor in building up a cost-efficient computer is to purchase the parts separately. It is more convenient to buy a computer enclosed in a package deal but you may find buying each part from different computer parts retailers to provide some price cuts when it comes to the total amount you will spend for a complete set. Doing so may also enable you to use spare parts from your previous or a friend’s computer to reduce the total amount you will need to build another computer.

The basic materials needed for a low cost computer are Motherboard, processor, ATX case, RAM module, DVD-ROM/RW or CD-ROM/RW, 3.5″ floppy drive, LAN card, soundcard, hard disk/s, video card, speakers, computer monitor, mouse, keyboard, screwdriver.

Step 1
The first thing to consider is to spot for a sale on a department store or nearby computer outlet. This would allow you to reduce your expenses on your plan to build a new computer.
Step 2
Once you get possible computer parts retailers that offer great discounts, it is time to spot which of these outlets offer the lowest prices. Make sure that the parts you would purchase would be compatible to each other to avoid unwanted compatibility issues while building the computer.
Step 3
You can salvage some parts from old computers in addition to the low cost parts you already purchased. RAM modules and hard disks are some of the peripherals you may reuse.
Step 4
Check out which of these parts are still usable and can be integrated onto the computer that you want to build. Take some time to remove some of the dirt accumulated while the computer is on the storage. Use a delicate brush to remove the dust particles without damaging the sensitive parts.
Step 5
Once you have collected the parts needed, follow the normal procedures in building a computer. The first thing to do is to attach the motherboard to the ATX casing. Make sure that the screws are in place and the motherboard is securely placed. The cables can be twisted and secured in place using plastic fasteners so that you will have a clear view of different areas within the motherboard.
Step 6
After the motherboard and case are intact, it is time to place the peripherals. Begin on the processor. Take utmost care in handling the processor because its pins are delicate. The hard disks and memory modules will follow.
Step 7
Install additional devices such as sound cards, wireless adapters, video cards, and LAN cards after the important parts are in place.
Step 8
Test if the computer is running smoothly. Once the devices are working properly, install the necessary Operating System and programs of your choice on the computer.

Now as we have finished building the computer there might be cases when you actually have a computer but need to maintain it cheap.

The performance of all hard disks, whether old or new, gradually degrades as they are used and files are stored and moved around. The best solution is to continuously defragment your hard disk. You can use the default software available with windows or you can go for some cheap softwares in the market. Removing junk and temporary files from your hard disk and compressing the data can also improve system performance under some circumstances. Windows certainly has its foibles and it’s a bit odd that the most effective fixes are typically inexpensive or free third party utilities available primarily as Internet purchases or as free downloads. Here is some software that I’ve found invaluable when a Windows installation has become unstable or slow but is not yet so flaky that a time-consuming re-installation becomes necessary. Think of these as minor low cost computing.

1. Ace Utilities is a reliable compact program that’s much less expensive than Norton, with lower system demands. Except for hard disk optimization, it performs basically the same diagnostics and Windows Registry clearing as Norton Utilities but only on demand rather than as a potentially intrusive background process that runs continuously.
2. Ace’s RAM Optimizer seems to have somewhat reduced such performance bottlenecks to a tolerable level without any noticeable adverse effects. Programs like this may make some difference when available RAM is low as a result of many programs loaded simultaneously or when you are intensively processing very large files.
3.  we’ve mentioned Diskeeper ( www.diskeeper.com) before as one of the most effective long terms ways to improve overall computer performance. Other useful programs for detecting bottlenecks and tuning hard disk performance are HD Tune and Performance Test.
4.BelArc Advisor, a free download available from www.belarc.com, checks your operating system for vulnerabilities, installed software and its status, and Windows components. If one or more Windows components or patches are not as they should be, such items are flagged and you will be directed to the specific part of Microsoft’s web site where a corrective download and/or more information are available.
5.Dial-a-Fix has resurrected systems that otherwise seemed destined for a hard disk reformat and complete reinstallation of Windows.
6. Hard disk failures: We have found a lot of useful hard disk resurrection and repair information at http://www.cgsecurity.org/wiki/TestDisk . Its cheap to use these instead of replacing the HDD and losing your precious data.

So in the end understand that an investment of time and readily available tools may be all that you need for effective low cost computing.