The history of Ultra Products dates back to 1991 with the Fletcher, Ohio based PC builder, MidWest Micro.

Though it is not as big a problem now, some PC builders have in the past taken shortcuts by installing substandard components and using unlicensed software.

However, activation only applied to retail and "system builder" (intended for use by small local PC builders) copies of Windows.

PC builders design or select a case based on the type of motherboard that should fit inside.

Velocity Micro, another PC builder that places equal emphasis on performance hardware and customer service, has taken a broader approach to the market.

Ars has a long history of supporting PC builders, and this guide is designed to bring first-time and relatively green builders into the fold.

There is another reason that overclocking is proving popular, said Steven Dodd, an experienced PC builder despite still being a teenager.

The chip generates so much heat that the PC builder is required to attach a special cooling device to its surface.

In May 2007, Velocity Micro, another independently owned PC builder, acquired the former competing boutique builder.

I built my first PC using your September 2008 guide which turned out to be a storming machine, I learnt a lot as a noob PC builder.