Desktops: Want a new pc. Is it better to build or buy?
Want a new pc. Is it better to build or buy?
by Mya245 - 3/3/08 7:44 AMAbout 4 years ago I bought a pc out of a store and it is not upgradable except for the graphics card. I now want to buy a new pc from dell but the pc that I really want is more than I want to pay, 2500. I want to buy the pc from dell. I hear people saying building a pc is cheaper,is this true?
I have never tried to build a pc before. Is it smart to take a risk. I don't want to destroy parts and then be out of money or at the end the pc doesn't work.
Yet, if I build I will get exactly what I want for my money but I could end up wasting my money if it doesn't go right.
Is it wiser to build or buy?
one more thing about the type of pc I want to buy or build.
by Mya245 - 3/3/08 7:48 AM In reply to: Want a new pc. Is it better to build or buy? by Mya245I am also asking is it wise for a novice at building to take on a project like trying to build a mid to high level gaming machine?
I built my own
by aqw8326 - 3/8/08 11:57 AM In reply to: one more thing about the type of pc I want to buy or build. by Mya245I am a novice, but with very limited $$. Bought my first computer in 97, and paid 1500, it had a 2 GB Hd, since then I have built my own. I have used the same mini-tower since 2000.
I research what I want on the 'net, and go to my local PC Club, or purchase from Newegg.com or TigerDirect.com.
It is really very easy to build it. I get the motherboard that will handle what you want to do, (most cases come with a power supply, lan, sound and graphic). I have have an Intel P4 extreme dual CPU 280., 200 GB Sata HD, 1Gb RAM, upgradable to 4GB, GeForce 7300 Graphic, along with the CD/DVD RW Drive and a floppy, 6 USP ports, 6 audio for all audio and vidio.
Get your hardware together, drop it in, plug it in, set your bios, and follow the instruction.
I did it all for about $350.It works for me.
Do a google search on how to build a computer, or check Cnet for the course on how to build a gaming computer, which is very helfull.
aqw
Entirely up yo you
by Willy - 3/3/08 8:53 AM In reply to: Want a new pc. Is it better to build or buy? by Mya245Besides this answer, you should at least review past posts on this topic, use the search forum engine for such. Further, see what common problems pop-up and you may expect sooner or later.
Alot depends on your abilities in building any generic system. If you feel capable then proceed and get the parts. Besides actual h/w, the s/w too has to be taken into account. While, you can re-use some s/w, those from past older systems that are OEM, provided by other sources, like Dell, Compaq, etc., aren't installable for continued use. You can buy the retail pgms., then swap *data* to keep within the same pgm.. Any generic DIY project once done is more open to upgrades and allowable future expansion far greater than most OEM systems. While the reverse can be said of OEM systems at least of limited options. Excluding any major h/w technology leap you may keep your self-build system years beyond any OEM one. The major advantage of an OEM system is usually you have a warranty, support, bundled s/w, and is ready to go. As for costs, a OEM system may be cheaper only if you have to buy all new for the DIY system in comparison. The OS alone can be the most expensive s/w item. At the same time, the adage, "if you buy cheap, expect cheap results", so buying the cheapest video card, etc. which may work well can easily fail if pushed, thus consider the best match for your needs then shop price.
If it doesn't go right? You have yourself to blame for whatever reason that's the risk you take. Th reward is, you have better understanding of your system and learned what it takes to continue doing this and for most it really is a happy experience. Up to you...
tada -----Willy 
Opinion
by bob b - 3/3/08 9:48 AM In reply to: Want a new pc. Is it better to build or buy? by Mya245The only reason I would build a machine is if I wanted to play.
Save money?
Build your machine on paper.
Factor in the OS.
Savings>>>>poof.
You are the designer/builder/tech support....it can get expensive.
Visit your local PC shop....that's been in business for a few years.
Give them your 'machine on paper'.
Get a quote.
If they build it...... they have to make it work.
what kind of pc are you looking for?
by ramarc - 3/3/08 10:07 AM In reply to: Want a new pc. Is it better to build or buy? by Mya245what's your budget and what do you use your pc for? $2500 is an uber-pc nowadays and overkill for most folks.
What I use my pc for
by Mya245 - 3/4/08 1:16 PM In reply to: Want a new pc. Is it better to build or buy? by Mya245My budget is 2500 but I think I am going to turn it down to around 1500 dollars. I play games,write programs,photo editing,movies and listening to music.
I think I am not going to attempt a build. I am going to instead purchase a pc. I don't have the time and even if I did, I don't know what I'm doing. I will experiment sometime in the future with a low price build. Like maybe 300.00 dollars if that is possible. I want a pc that works and that I don't want to take the risk of messing it up and therefore losing money.
I don't have any pc shops were I live. I just have retailers like circuit city and bestbuy.
Have your own built
by Cirick - 3/7/08 8:42 PM In reply to: Want a new pc. Is it better to build or buy? by Mya245I use to be a custom system builder, but now I can get it done by a reputable company for $80 and I don't have any of the aggravation. I still build my own, because I am not going to mess it up like an end user can. You can save a lot of money on high end system, building your own. I use a company called MWave in California. You pick all the components they put it together and ship it to you, free of crapware. No tax if you don't live in Calif. You also have two tech supports options. Mwave themselves, who are miles better than HP, Dell et al. You also have the manufacturer tech support. Mwave will even help you select components and give you presales advice. Components are easy to replace if they ever fail down the line. Personally I bought myself two top of the line cases and good power supplies..then I upgrade as necessary and don't have cheap plastic looking computers that you have to toss. I have had the same cases for 10 years and they are as good as new and easy to access. Go to mwave and check the difference in price between what you want to pay 2500 for and what they can build it for.. XP pro is $131. http://www.mwave.com/mwave/buildit.hmx?updepts=computers.hmx&DNAME=Computer+Systems
Depends on the person
by Dango517 - 3/7/08 10:08 PM In reply to: Want a new pc. Is it better to build or buy? by Mya245Do you have a real interest in computers and how they work? If you do then you more then likely know about the components that make it up and there specifications. None the less, you will still need to do some extensive research to make sure the component you've chosen will work together. Putting a PC together most people could do and only requires a phillips screw driver, putting it together right should be left to the dedicated.
Before you start this venture you might want to do some upgrading and work with some older PCs to get some experience
About cost; when you purchase a PC from your local retail outlet or off the web it comes equipped with an operating system, home builds do not. This can add considerable to the cost of any home build. On average at least $100.00 and as high as $300.00+. Make sure you factor in this cost when considering a home build. Look at it like this.....if you can buy a ready built PC for $2,500.00 with the components you want but you can build it for $2,000.00 and you have to buy a $300.000 OS to run it, you've only saved $200.00. Yes, there is aways Linux. Yet, there are many, many deals out there on the net if your a wise shopper you might build the PC for $1,800.00 with a purchased OS, all depends on how smart you are.
it depends if you feel confident enuf
by tedtks - 3/8/08 1:23 AM In reply to: Want a new pc. Is it better to build or buy? by Mya245to tackle putting all that stuff together. I only build my own because it has always been cheaper, since the mid 80's, and I know the quality of all the components. dell makes a good pc but it seems only recently that they have broken away from proprietary equipment - at least on their high end pc's. not pos of this but from blogs here that seems to be the case.
there are a lot of pieces you need - and u need to shop around to
get decent prices. If you go to ebay - dont buy used - many sellers
will sell working stuff - but there are some that are getting rid of
doa equip.
The biggest thing is to do your homework - decide on brands and go
to that company web site to read stats and compatability etc.
There are quite a few realy good online outlets at reasonable prices
like newegg - where I do most of my buys - for many reasons - of which
' return ' is NOT a dirty word to them - they strive to do good.
you can come here with questions on different components - but remember, you will get a variety of answers since everyone has their
own favs. it can get confuseing.
my last build cost me 800 +/- (maybe more plus hahaha) except for the
monitor which I really went overboard on, but, I have a top end pc!
and hopefully will last me a while
[.. hey, we can always wish :-))..]
good luck - and will prob see u back here hahaha
Build or Buy
by chunkybick - 3/8/08 2:12 AM In reply to: Want a new pc. Is it better to build or buy? by Mya245I have built various systems for myself and friends and I do not count myself as a computer expert.
Do as I did, read as much information regarding how to build a computer before starting. There is plenty of instruction and advice to be had from the web. Just type in your search engine "How do I build a computer" and press enter.
I have looked at costings for building one with the new quad core processor and compatible assosiated components and it would cost a lot less than you would think. Less than the figure which you said would be your upper limit on cost.
My advice is to look into building your own before you dash out and buy someone elses. It will give you great satisfaction to see your work up and running and a more indepth knowledge of how your computer actually works.
oh, Build defintaly
by strongwinds - 3/8/08 9:58 AM In reply to: Build or Buy by chunkybicklets put is this way, if you have the time build it. I built my Own PC fro about $800 bestbuy was selling a PC with worse specs (there gaming PC) for $1400. insane I know. but If you have 1000 to put into a PC, build your own. you'll learn a TON, and you'll have one of the best PC's out there, and save your self hundreds! I did.
you can do it!
Satisfaction vs Warranty
by The Masked Villain - 3/8/08 5:26 PM In reply to: Want a new pc. Is it better to build or buy? by Mya245Building your PC always gives you more satisfaction, but if you want a warranty, you should buy it.
Regards,
TMV
Wiser? It depends.
by 3rdalbum - 3/8/08 8:55 PM In reply to: Want a new pc. Is it better to build or buy? by Mya245When I wanted a new computer, I needed all the components to be compatible with Linux (I can't use Windows... I'm not familiar with it and I don't have the patience to learn it). So I chose components that I had researched, took a couple of hours to look for the best prices, and then bought the parts and built it using a HOWTO that I found online.
That was a wise move for me, as I got a compatible computer built to my exact specifications, and I also got some knowledge about computers too.
Fear factor aside, it's no contest
by saunataga - 3/9/08 2:18 PM In reply to: Want a new pc. Is it better to build or buy? by Mya245I've put together 3 PC's (one for someone else) and got enough satisfaction out of it to want to do it again, although I don't need another one. I'm pricing parts frequently and, motivated by your post, went on Newegg to see what a "higher end" computer might cost to assemble. I mentally built the system around a local store advertised special for an Intel Quad Core Q6600 (200. plus tax). I did not select cutting edge stuff which is ridiculously expensive (and unnecessary?). The total cost, including shipping (free for several items) and rebates was about $900. Below is the system I mentally assembled, with shipping included or free:
Case $ 50 (I also found one that was free plus $13 shipping)
Processor $ 215. (that's the Intel mentioned above)
Motherboard $ 144. (avg. of today's Newegg specials-some were $250!)
Power Supply $ 60. (500 Watt)
Video Card $ 130. (GeForce 8800 GS - Not top of line but pretty good)
Memory 4 Gig $ 92. (DDR2)
DVD Burner $ 25.
Hard Drive 250 Gig $ 70.
OEM Vista Premium 32 bit $ 110.
The above list does not include an LCD monitor, which really ought to be extra anyway, depending on what you already have or might want to upgrade to, size wise.
Other than the OS, there's no software but so many programs are free anyway, including everything that you might need for security. To my knowledge, nothing of "significance" in software is included in any assembled system that you don't have to pay extra for.
Which leads me to wonder what I could assemble if I used the $ 1500. figure that you mentioned, to say nothing of $ 2500? Either of these figures would give you the opportunity to have a computer that is more robust than everyone you know.
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