I'm going to write about something I know: computer tech. If you don't like computers, or don't like learning about computers, well, sorry? On the other hand, you might discover there's more to this whole computer nerd thing than you thought. Just sayin'.
Part One
The story so far...
I have a desktop at home. It plays my games, music, videos, etc., and has served me rather faithfully for almost 5 years. Its name is Logos, and I built it myself from components I spent hours sourcing and ordering. In a certain way, Logos is an expression of me, made manifest through silicon and electricity. Ok, maybe not, but there are some similarities to how enthusiasts construct their PC's and how an artisan creates a sculpture or painting. Obviously, the analogy isn't completely accurate, but you get the idea.
Anyway, Logos, in its current form, has run its course, and as our consumerist society demands, requires upgrading - Moore's Law isn't dead yet.
Decisions, decisions.
The first decision I have to make is whether I identify all the outmoded parts and replace them; or, build a new system from scratch, in much the same way I originally built Logos. Both approaches have their own advantages - i.e. a new system will cost more and let's face it, it'll be rad. Just upgrading certain parts will definitely be less expensive, but requires careful compatibility considerations.
To aid me in this dilemma, I'm going to use a nifty website called PC Parts Picker. It provides a realtime price and availability matrix on almost every conceivable computer component - pretty badass. Additionally, if I register a free account, I can compile all the parts I might want, create custom builds and configurations, and then cross-reference them with current prices from the best-known suppliers. I know I've already mentioned it, but this site is badass, and I highly recommend it.
In Part Two, I'll describe certain hardware considerations that can have a cascading effect on the system you're building, and offer a look at the system I decided to go with.
Logos: meaning reasoned discourse or argument. Also defined as "the word," but that's sorta lazy and not quite right.
Moore's Law: an observation that processing power roughly doubles every 2 years. It's more complicated than that, so check the link.
PC Parts Picker: Awesome system-building website.
Credit to TheOatmeal for the Don Draper comic.