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Computer newbies: building versus buying
building versus buying
by frombolm - 4/12/09 1:04 AMif i'm someone who is decently knowledgable about computers and i'm looking for a cheap but decently powerful system, should i just go ahead and build myself a pc? i've never done it before and some of the components are confusing, but it seems like overall its cheaper. i'd say my skill level is such that i can usually diagnose the problem and fix it myself if its basic, but when things get a little more complicated i realize that i don't know much about the inner workings of pc components or all those hidden windows files and such.
basically - is building a pc going to take a pretty big leap in knowledgability on my part, or is it not as difficult as it seems? i'm also trying to factor in that when something goes really wrong, its nice to have the technical support people there, just in case.
It used to be cheaper . . .
by Coryphaeus - 4/12/09 5:50 AM In reply to: building versus buying by frombolmto build your own. I've built about 6 in the past. But with the bundled deals available, and support, home builts are almost a thing of the past. Do it yourself if you're bored.
There are advantages
by anmor - 4/12/09 3:24 PM In reply to: building versus buying by frombolmto building your own other then price. There is very litlle savings in $$ these days.
However you get to choose exactly what goes into it.
You buy the operating system on cd/dvd, so you can reinstall if needed with the supplied medium.
You choose the motherboard and get the driver disk and manual with it.
All the additional harware you buy that requires drivers will have the disks with them.
No crapware preinstalled for you to get rid of.
Hardrives you buy retail, have a longer warranty then ones that come ready made, as most only have 1 year for the pc ie; Seagate 5 years, WD 3 years.
You can purchase some monitors with 3 year warranty.
It is advisable to read up on building your own before starting, there are books available and lots of info on the web to help.
You will be responsible for all the warranty requirments, you will have no support for the OS from Microsoft using OEM software.
Good luck and read, read and read all you can first.
Your own assembly
by Joe M. Winters - 4/18/09 4:55 PM In reply to: There are advantages by anmorThere is no better way to be familiar with your computer, because you are not buying something that has a modified BIOS in favor of the maker or assembler of a fully assembled machine.
Try it You will like it, because it will put your head in a different place. No matter what you Sex, Age, or employment. There is nothing like knowing what you did, and you will see it every day. You can get the case with or without the Motherboard, and CPU. Their are a number of discounters that have various money saving items for the home assembly process.
Best of luck Kids.
Joe
Learn by doing
by Willy - 4/12/09 3:26 PM In reply to: building versus buying by frombolmIf you plan to DIY, then building a system is a firm hands-on situation where you learn. I do suggest you size-up your knowledge and proceed at your pace. If you deem it too much then buy a pre-build system or one of low-end offering as they do provide alot of bang for the buck compared to systems past. Of course, you have the means to whatever you want and should a problem arise, you're the IT team. I don't think its too much for most users, but if you make a mistake its on your shoulders, again use common sense. DIY, isn't cheap unless you consider buying piece by piece until you have your budget used up. It will be a custom system and it was done by you. so its up to you. You needn't be a super tech wienie to build one, IMHO.
tada -----Willy 
Build or Buy?
by Zouch - 4/17/09 5:55 PM In reply to: building versus buying by frombolmAs has been said, building your own machine is not the cheap option any more. Visit your local computer fair and check out their prices- you'll likely find that systems from the independent builders offer great value for money. One vendor at my local fair even offers to build you a bespoke system while you wait! Generally, the prices for their fully built and tested systems are lower than I can buy the components - economies of scale I guess.
So why would you build? Maybe you want to increase your own knowledge - there is nothing like building a system to learn what the benefits of each component are. Or maybe you want to build a machine specific to your usage needs - when you build, you can get exactly what you want without any compromises. Or maybe you want the ultimate gamer - these machines from the mainstream builders always carry a premium and so this is the one case where it might be cheaper to build. Or maybe you want to over clock the machine - pre-built systems rarely offer this option.
So your choice is lowest cost - buy; Increase your knowledge or want a specific configuration - build. Oh, and building is a lot of fun and a great sense of achievement when it comes up for the first time!
If you decide to build, two things you should do, especially if it's your first time, buy a decent book and read it through before you go buying parts. I won't recommend specify books because it's largely a matter of taste. Secondly, register with Microsoft as a system builder if you intend to use Windows, then you can legitimately buy OEM editions - way cheaper than retail boxes.
As it says in the SuSE Linux distribution-"Have a lot of fun!".
Bulding is the best way to expand your computer knowledge
by hughv - 4/17/09 6:18 PM In reply to: Build or Buy? by ZouchYou can't save much, if any, money building your own nowadays, but when you're done you'll be able to do many of your own repairs and have a much greater knowledge of how computer hardware works.
As for learning, if you're serious, I'd suggest you get one of the zillion or so used computers being given away by people who are upgrading their systems and take it apart and re-assemble it.
If you have very specific hardware reqs, yes. Otherwise...
by richchrono - 4/17/09 6:45 PM In reply to: building versus buying by frombolmMy system has two high end graphic cards with dual DVI ports running 4 20" 16:9 monitors in portrait orientation.
I have one RAID (mirrored) with two drives mirrored for the operating system and applications, and one RAID 10 (striped and mirrored) with 4 drives.
I'm also running a high end audio card.
If you could find this configuration from a manufacturer it would cost you a fortune. So I built mine.
But I wouldn't consider building a system with a standard configuration. It just doesn't pay.
Advantages of Building
by frj11 - 4/17/09 6:57 PM In reply to: building versus buying by frombolmFor me the advantages of building are that I can pick the components I want to use. For example I read and could see that solid state drives were going to become a reality with the last system or the next system I owned. This indeed proved to be the case and I bought my first SSD this past month. It proved to be a real improvement. It was more costly but with some changes to my main memory and this device I was able to delay construction on a new system by 6 to 9 months.
What this means is that by January of 2010 I will again have to consider building a new system. Hopefully in the time until then the global economy may improve and prices of components for construction will decline. I am able to wait because I built my system and designed it to allow for newer technology to be incorporated as it becomes available. Many off the shelf systems do not permit this kind of flexibility.
Advantages of Building
by richchrono - 4/17/09 7:10 PM In reply to: Advantages of Building by frj11That's a good point.
When I built mine, I chose a motherboard that would allow me to upgrade my dual core for a quad core. At the time, quad cores were $1000. Even today there is almost no mainstream software that takes advantage of them.
But I'm ready when that day comes.
If price is your only (or biggest) concern buy ready built
by john3347 - 4/17/09 7:49 PM In reply to: building versus buying by frombolmI have built a few computers (single digit numbers), and got a lot of personal satisfaction from doing so. I have never gotten so "lost" in doing so that I had to throw up my hands and call in a professional. My level of expertise is rather low. This is to say that there are reasons to build your own computer........but to save money is not one of them. The cost of buying all necessary parts is not greatly more than buying an equivalent computer, but you will probably spend a few more bucks.
If you want the personal satisfaction of having built your computer yourself, by all means go for it. The feeling you get every time you boot up will be well worth an extra $25 or $50 bucks that you spent extra. Good Luck to you!
Buy it
by mwooge - 4/17/09 8:38 PM In reply to: building versus buying by frombolmMy general advice is to buy a name-brand computer. Building your own sounds neat, but what are you going to do if you build it and it doesn't work? Take it in and spend a hundred or two?
What if one of the components isn't compatable with something? How will you find the problem?
If your present computer works okay, then go ahead and build from scratch. Use the old one until the new one is working.
prefer self bulit
by techdribble - 4/17/09 11:09 PM In reply to: building versus buying by frombolmI have been building my own pcs for over 10 years and would recommend it if you are competent enough to deal with the issues that may arise or have access to a source that can help(find some good forums before you start and do your research). I have just built a HTPC from scratch and have a box of part waiting for this PC. I spend $AUD600-750 every 18 to 24 months and update MB/CPU and RAM. Graphics cards are upgraded less often and HDD are obtained as needed. I like have control over the components I use and if I screw something up its my ass I kick
you can either build your own or get a whitebox pc
by danstheman7 - 4/17/09 11:26 PM In reply to: building versus buying by frombolmHey,
You can either build your own PC or have someone buildone for you. I have built a nice amount of systems, and hope to build more. I also sell custom built systems which are still cheaper than retail computers, which can be fully customized.If you want suggestions, or want to buy one of my PC's, visit my site!
Http://www.danstheman7.webs.com/computerorders.htm
Just remember, if you choose to build a computer, make sure you get good name brand parts with good feedback. And this is not an ad!
help with upgrading to windows xp.
by ramonie - 4/20/09 11:17 PM In reply to: you can either build your own or get a whitebox pc by danstheman7its it worth upgrading windows 98 to xp home edition IBm computer only has room for 256mb of ram in the mother board
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