How did it start

My dad. He worked in manufacturing and pretended to know what he was doing when he took our computer apart. Turns out the only thing he really knew how to do is to install a stick of ram into the open slot.

But that made me realise that it does not matter if I am not an expert. I just have to give it a go to learn.

So I did.

So why do I like it?

It's the awe that I get when I hold a CPU or a graphics card in my hand that reminds me of why I love PC building. I have always appreciated technology, and I have never taken it for granted. Witnessing the rapid growth in technology, where I moved from the mediocre Pentium IV CPU I had to the i5-12600K now, reminds me of what we as humanity is capable of. That hope brings me joy.

Also it's therapeutic. It's the perfect blend of creativity, freedom, and structure. You get to choose the different pieces of the computer you want based on what you need, and make the unique PC of your dreams, yet relish in the comfort knowing that whatever piece of hardware you get will all fit together.

Isn't that beautiful?

My area of specialty

I have a great appreciation for small form factor (SFF) PCs since I used to travel between Singapore and Japan, where I did my masters. SFF PCs are computers that are below 20L in volume and they used to be for the enthusiasts! Luckily, hardware makers have brought them into the mainstream (thanks Cooler Master and Lian Li), which made it much cheaper for everyone to get into it.

When folks talk about SFF PCs, they typically refer to mini-ITX cases (m-ITX).