Build Your Own Vs. Buying

[rip2k64]

I am a senior in high school and plan on attending college afterwards. I am looking to purchuse a computer obviously. I am looking for one that will be able to decently play certain games about to be released but I am also operating on a budget. I want to build my own to keep overhead down. I have a friend who has built several willing to help me. My parents want me to go to Dell for the warrenty. I am wondering what people think about this.

 

[BW86]

Build your own, it will be better and cheaper.

 

[Gagabiji]

POLL. I have and always will build my own PC. It's cheaper, and you get a totally customized computer to fit your needs.

 

[yankeesfan]

mechBgon's (helpful person on this forum) excellent guide for first time builders here

 

[Bovinicus]

Originally posted by: SirDude
POLL. I have and always will build my own PC. It's cheaper, and you get a totally customized computer to fit your needs.

Agreed. If you buy a pre-built system, then most likely it will either be lacking certain features or performance criteria that you desire, or it will be overpowered, and therefore overpriced, for what you plan on using it for. Not to mention that you can design the system to be very upgradeable if that is something that is important to you. Pre-built systems lack upgradeability all the time.

Also, I cannot stand how retail systems always skimp on the PSU. Even if they have the expansion ports available for upgrading, they often lack sufficient power to maintain system stability with additional or upgraded components.

As long as you are capable of solving issues with the system yourself, then go for it. Tech support is worthless anyway. Most tech support agents don't know a turd from a floppy disk; they just read the standard procedure from a piece of paper designed to handle problems caused by human error, because the average retail customer is a moron when it comes to computer usage.

 

[compudog]

Building your own PC is not for everyone. You must have patience, common sense and the ability to think clearly. If you have those traits, by all means, build your own. Everyone here has pointed out great reasons to build your own. Many times, you can build your system to your exact specs, and still leave room in the budget for some new software. The most important thing you need to do when building your own is to research the parts you are buying thoroughly. Ask many questions. Never, EVER skimp on the power supply. ALWAYS get more watts than you think you'll need and get something from a reputable manufacturer. Antec, Enermax, OCZ, PC P&C etc. Read the reviews on AT and other sites.

Then there are the people that are fixated on a Dell. And Dell can provide you a good value. It's tough to beat the software bundle that Dell provides and still get a decent performing machine. For the average Joe, a Dell is the perfect fit, as well as an H-Paq, eMachine and so on.

But, you are a member of AT, rip2k64 and that sets you apart from the average crowd.

Build your own!! You'll be glad you did!





edited for speeling

 

[kkeennyy]

Build your own only if:

you are confortable assembling such
AND
diagnosing- and repairing common hardware- and software problems

 

[Adn4n]

If you get a Dell, be advised that they charge ridiculous prices for memory upgrades, which you'll need to play the new games. Also, Dell's customer service department has been outsorced to India primarily, so prepare so speak with someone who has not mastered the English language.

 

[mechBgon]

Building your own can be very satisfying, and it should leave you with a standard, repairable computer that the Forum members will be able to support and troubleshoot if you need help. And we won't care if it's in warranty or not, either

Suggestions:

• Whichever route you go (build or buy), get WinXP Professional and not WinXP Home. Pro comes with two additional years of support at Windows Update and it can join Active Directory domains, among other things.
• Also consider a line-interactive APC uninterruptible power supply if you can afford one. Get at least a 600-800VA unit, preferably with auto-shutdown software/cable and network-cable surge protection.
• When you set it up, I'd recommend looking at the Ongoing prevention suggestions on the Resources page of my guide. An ounce of prevention... yeah. The first time you find your pals have borrowed your system while you were out, you'll be glad that you took the precaution of locking it down with Limited/Restricted accounts and so forth.
• If you build, get a high-quality power supply (Enermax, Fortron, Antec) and go pretty high on the wattage, it's not that great an extravagance.
• Use name-brand RAM like Corsair or Crucial.

If you'd like suggestions for a build kit, post what your budget is, and what it needs to cover (hardware, software and peripherals).

 

[caz67]

Building is your own, is very rewarding.

 

[Appledrop]

if you want to play HL2 for example, you need to build your own. Dell would charge you LOADS for a system that capable, however you could build a capable one yourself for $500, and get satisfaction & knowlege from building it.

 

[otispunkmeyer]

Originally posted by: Bovinicus

Originally posted by: SirDude
POLL. I have and always will build my own PC. It's cheaper, and you get a totally customized computer to fit your needs.

Agreed. If you buy a pre-built system, then most likely it will either be lacking certain features or performance criteria that you desire, or it will be overpowered, and therefore overpriced, for what you plan on using it for. Not to mention that you can design the system to be very upgradeable if that is something that is important to you. Pre-built systems lack upgradeability all the time.

Also, I cannot stand how retail systems always skimp on the PSU. Even if they have the expansion ports available for upgrading, they often lack sufficient power to maintain system stability with additional or upgraded components.

As long as you are capable of solving issues with the system yourself, then go for it. Tech support is worthless anyway. Most tech support agents don't know a turd from a floppy disk; they just read the standard procedure from a piece of paper designed to handle problems caused by human error, because the average retail customer is a moron when it comes to computer usage.

couldnt be truer.....oh yes this machine is fully upgradeable.......90watt PSU....go figure

 

[namco]

Originally posted by: BW86
Build your own, it will be better and cheaper.

This is very true.

 

[otispunkmeyer]

ive jus built my own computer....for the first time completely on my own and pretty much in one afternoon, that i owe to these forums.
i am totally satisfied and gettin something that works and kicks ass from a bunch off box's the postie dropped at my door is very rewarding.

if u build your own....you will know exactly what ur buying, and u'll end up with warrenty for every individual part. of course u'll have to do extensive research first to make sure the parts u buy will do what u require of them

i have to say it took me about 2months to nail down the parts i wanted exactly.

what will be your budget?

 

[lrmat]

as someone who has both built a pc and had dell's you have to decide what is your budget. buying the hardware is only part of the cost. what software do you need? what compromises are you willing to make? if you build your own you have to trouble shoot your own. that harddrive you bought comes bundled with nothing. do you need microsoft office for school? do you already have anti-virus programs etc. (even though you can get these for free online).

you might be better off getting a dell with an agp slot or pci-e and budgeting for a good video card (or customize it with dell) need more ram? crucial's website walks you through to the right ram for dell models.

i enjoyed building my own and i will almost certianly do it again, but i can afford to do it (money and time) if something doesn't work, i have another desktop and a notebook to hold me off until i resolve the problem (or someone at AT helps me out). i have amassed a good amount of software; i don't need to buy a dell with their pre-packaged bundle but if you don't have anyof the productivity software your going to need for school (the reason, i'm assuming your parents are going to shell out the scratch for your pc).... dell is probably the way to go for you.

just my two cents.

 

[Appledrop]

Originally posted by: lrmat
as someone who has both built a pc and had dell's you have to decide what is your budget. buying the hardware is only part of the cost. what software do you need? what compromises are you willing to make? if you build your own you have to trouble shoot your own. that harddrive you bought comes bundled with nothing. do you need microsoft office for school? do you already have anti-virus programs etc. (even though you can get these for free online).

you might be better off getting a dell with an agp slot or pci-e and budgeting for a good video card (or customize it with dell) need more ram? crucial's website walks you through to the right ram for dell models.

i enjoyed building my own and i will almost certianly do it again, but i can afford to do it (money and time) if something doesn't work, i have another desktop and a notebook to hold me off until i resolve the problem (or someone at AT helps me out). i have amassed a good amount of software; i don't need to buy a dell with their pre-packaged bundle but if you don't have anyof the productivity software your going to need for school (the reason, i'm assuming your parents are going to shell out the scratch for your pc).... dell is probably the way to go for you.

just my two cents.

please, ignore this guy - no offence to you Irmat, but i would not recommend a dell to my worst enemy!
also, people whining about software... well you have to options, use freeware replacements (see: Open Office), or download sharewared programs and search for cracks.

NOTE:I do not encourage or facilitate the use of illegal cracks and warez. I for one support paying for my software.

 

[lrmat]

no offense taken, but i have had two dells in four years and have nothing but good things to say, their customer service has been on point and their response time has been incredible, in my experience. my 12 year old neice had a problem with her dell and they walked her through the process of restoring her pc, it was a confidence booster for her.

i've had plenty of pc's the worst ones, i won't get into but the four best pc's i've had two were built by me and a friend (he being the expereinced builder) and two were dell's.

look if you don't want to go to dell fine, my point was there is more to consider when building a pc then the components. there is software, there is compatability there is possiblity of failure of components , that all have to be dealt with. i, personnally don't have a problem with that, you all don't have a problem with that (most of you anyway) but as a forum member i feel he should be forwarned. both sides postive and negative should be looked at. this pc is for school first, with the added benefit of gaming. he has to decide whether he is a "hands on kinda guy" or "doesn't want to be bothered with the details just let it work"

and yes as i've stated before there is free software out there but there is something to be said for having the same ofice suite as everybody else at school. whetever you don't no how to do someone can help you out. it's easier. what do you want?

you can listen to azzy 64 and not listen to me but all i'm saying is be honest with yourself as to what you are willing to deal with.

 

[LeadMagnet]

I have literally built hundreds of PCs for friends, family, small companies, and my self over the last 15 years.

If you really want to built it yourself I would probably start off with a ATHLON 64 3200 BareBone system for $277, and then add mid-range video card like the ATI 9600 for $100, 16x Dual layer DVD-RW $120, 1GB PC3200 $120, and a nice 7200RPM 160GB hard drive with 8mb cache $100.

But If I were doing it for myself, I would buy a nice SILENT Dell 400SC server $349 then I would have Dell bump up the 400MHz ECC RAM to 1GB $250, and 80GB SATA 7200RMP hard drive $35, and then just add an TI4200 video card yourself for $100 and a Audigy2 sound card for $50.


P.S. All prices are suject to change - most come from www.FatWallet.com or www.PriceWatch.com

 

[CJP]

When you read up on everything (reviews, manuals) and build it yourself you know everything about the components so when something does go wrong, like a component dies, you'll have a easier time fixing it.

 

[lrmat]

LeadMagnet, sounds like a good comprimise. also try gotapex they seem to always have deals with regards to dell. at the very least if you plan to build your own, you can get one of their lcd's cheap.

 

[LeadMagnet]

lrmat - you and I are in the same boat - we both have boxes of old computer stuff with every peice of software and hardware at our disposal. That makes maintaining and troubleshooting our home built sytems ourselves possible. I cannot even just how much $$$ I have tied up in old computer crap.

 

[MDE]

As for the software, he's going to college, most software will be LOADS cheaper at the school bookstore.

 

[rip2k64]

Thanks for all of the input. Please keep it coming. A few things to add.

1) My budget is roughly $1000.
2) Software is not a problem. I already have most of the software I will need and can easily pick up what I do not have.
3) Basic repairs I can manage myself. I have been nursing the computer I am currently using along for the past 7 years.

Again thanks for all the input.

 

[gf4200isdabest]

A good rule of thumb: If you have to ask the question, you're better off buying.

And contrary to popular belief, Doom3 runs just fine on a low end P4 with a GF4 TI.

Wait for a good offer and the Dell might be just as cheap too. However, even if you don't, prorate your time working on it at like 10 bucks an hour and *then* see which one is cheaper...

Do yourself a favor and buy one.

 

[Kaido]

I do both, depending on the situation. For example, my most recent upgrade was a Dell 4600. I'd never ever build a system with a Pentium, because AMD has more bang-for-the-buck. However, it was cheap ($400 after rebates, and yes, I got the rebate back), very quiet (great for focusing on typing papers for English into the wee hours of the night), fast (2.8ghz p4, 80gb 7200rpm Seagate hdd, 512mb ddr), and it has a warranty. I added my own parts (video card, sound card, dvd burner, etc) and had a nice new system for pretty cheap.

If you really need to rely on it and want something that will work, especially if you're experienced to the point where you're confident building your own, just buy one. Dell and I Buy Power both have good systems for low prices. Sure, I could have built my own this time around, but at the time the price/performance combo was what I was looking for so I got it. Haven't regretted it since.