Quote -
If hardware was stable, and didn't change, it would be one thing, but when you have to order everything online, and you come across one part that won;t work with the rest of the system (and has a no refund policy!) it's just not worth the research.

There are just too many "little things" that can make new hardware go from running perfectly, to not running at all.

Not worth the research? Well, ok, but I disagree. I could have paid twice what I did to have a machine I have less control over and probably less power, but I deemed learning how to do this as "worth it". Consequently, I haven't had that "one part that won;t work with the rest of the system" problem, ever, because I know ahead of time what will and what won't work together.

Just forget I said anything at all - yes, you're right - it's a bad idea for people to build their own machines or to suggest others do the same.