Are more gamers buying rather than building now??

[bamacre]

I have built plenty of systems, but my next PC will definitely be a dell from their Outlet.

Something like this...
http://www.majortoker.com/images/dell_xps410_769.jpg
... but I'll switch the video card out myself for an 8800 GTS.

 

[Noema]

Originally posted by: w00t
I build and will continue to

 

[A5]

I'll always build because I think it's a lot of fun, and so that I can OC.

 

[pontifex]

i haven't bought a whole new pc in years. i slowly upgrade it every now and then, hoever the last upgrade i did, i spent over $600 for a new mobo and a video card.

If i ever want to buy a brand new system, i might go with dell if they can offer me what i want at a decent price. working on my own pc after working tech support and help desk for the past 6 or so years has really made my interest in it dwindle.

 

[bamacre]

Originally posted by: pontifex
i haven't bought a whole new pc in years. i slowly upgrade it every now and then, hoever the last upgrade i did, i spent over $600 for a new mobo and a video card.

If i ever want to buy a brand new system, i might go with dell if they can offer me what i want at a decent price. working on my own pc after working tech support and help desk for the past 6 or so years has really made my interest in it dwindle.

Building so many did the same to me. I used to do some custom build sales on ebay, and sold 4 in six days, so I ended up having to build 4 in six days. It gets old, especially when there is a problem and you have to figure out WTF the problem is.

It's a lot of fun. Until you power it up for the first time and nothing happens. Then it's like, "WTF, sumbitch!"

 

[regnez]

Originally posted by: A5
I'll always build because I think it's a lot of fun, and so that I can OC.

Being able to oc is the deal maker for me. With pre-built, they do not use top-self components, so any sort of decent oc is out of the question.

 

[polypterus]

imho the main advantage to building is being able to upgrade one component at a time, and sell old components to pay for new ones. If you buy prebuilt, you have to buy a new system every two years. If you build, then you can buy and sell parts whenever you want. If you buy good parts today and spend $800, upgrade a component every six months and get back 50%, in two years you'll have replaced everything for half the cost. A $800 Dell will be worthless in two years.

 

[The Boston Dangler]

Originally posted by: Roguestar
All we have to go on is anecdotal evidence, really. You can assume from the popularity of forums like these that a lot are building, but there are again more on games forums (or none at all) who'll just get the best value Dell or HP gaming system they can. To be honest I would lean towards the building side because I think that those who are really into their games tend to know more about the hardware involved (graphics cards etc) and are more likely to be interested in cherry-picking their components.

Personally I've built all of my own PCs and haven't regretted it once. Never had a catastrophic failure so I've never needed a three-year warranty. I tend to go for two-year system refreshes anyway so I can keep gaming at decent quality 😉. Building your own PC from components cuts out a lot of middle-man costs at the expense of the blame solely lying on you if you cock up. I think it's better to build your own because then not only do you learn something while doing it but you get to pick exactly what you want to go in it. Don't forget you can get a cheap copy of XP OEM if you buy a hard drive too, so no more crying about "pre-built systems come with an OS" 🙂.


Edit: Hurf Durf how do i spel anecdotal >_>

:beer::thumbsup:

 

[bamacre]

Originally posted by: regnez

Originally posted by: A5
I'll always build because I think it's a lot of fun, and so that I can OC.

Being able to oc is the deal maker for me. With pre-built, they do not use top-self components, so any sort of decent oc is out of the question.

Actually, it is the BIOS that restricts you from OC'ing, not low-quality components.

 

[regnez]

Originally posted by: bamacre

Originally posted by: regnez

Originally posted by: A5
I'll always build because I think it's a lot of fun, and so that I can OC.

Being able to oc is the deal maker for me. With pre-built, they do not use top-self components, so any sort of decent oc is out of the question.

Actually, it is the BIOS that restricts you from OC'ing, not low-quality components.

You think Dell's use high-quality, oc capable components...?

 

[SparkyJJO]

I always build, more fun to me, I get to choose the exact parts I want and not have to stay within the hardware boundries that the mfr has, and it still is cheaper for a highend system. Also I have a personal beef against a couple companies so building makes sure I don't get those 😉

 

[bamacre]

Originally posted by: regnez

Originally posted by: bamacre

Originally posted by: regnez

Originally posted by: A5
I'll always build because I think it's a lot of fun, and so that I can OC.

Being able to oc is the deal maker for me. With pre-built, they do not use top-self components, so any sort of decent oc is out of the question.

Actually, it is the BIOS that restricts you from OC'ing, not low-quality components.

You think Dell's use high-quality, oc capable components...?

Well I have been working with XPS 410's for the past couple of weeks, so I can tell you pretty much what's in there.

Case - great design internally, external design is opinionated.
http://www.majortoker.com/images/xps410a_04.jpg

Power Supply - rated at 375W, 18A on each of dual 12V rails (runs 8800 GTS flawlessly)

CPU - they use the same cpu as you'd get by building, and yes, you can upgrade it, and rather easily.

Motherboard - Foxcon with Intel 965P chipset. 4 dimm's supports up to 4GB DDR2. Integ Gbit ethernet and 7.1Ch audio (SigmaTel HD Codec)

Memory - Usually Samsung, sometimes Infineon. The ones I have seen have all been DDR2 667.

Hard drive - 80GB drives have been Samsung SpinPoint or Western Digital. 160GB drives have been Seagate 7200.9's. 250GB's have been Seagate or Western Digital. All SATA II.

Opticals - All SATA - Toshiba DVD Burners, Toshiba and Phillips DVD-ROM. Don't remember what brand DVD/CDRW Combo drives.


As far as OC'ing, you can't OC the cpu, so I don't know what you mean by OC'able components. The cpu cooling is excellent, and the system runs quietly, more so than any custom build I've done.

The Precision 390 model is better, IMO, a lot of the same features, but the case is all steel and better looking, IMO. Also has a 975X chipset over the 965P, as well as a PATA connection on the motherboard unlike all of Dell's new desktops.

 

[Xerin7]

Thanks all for the input. So far, I'm not hearing a lot of compelling (for me) reasons to go with a custom build:

1) It is fun to choose your own components and put together your own rig (I can live without this, especially if something goes wrong with the rig)

2) You can OC a custom built rig (N/A since I don't plan to OC)

3) Building your own rig allows you to "stick it to" to the big companies (N/A for me since I care most about price/performance ratio instead of making a political statement)

4) You can upgrade a custom rig easier (N/A for me since I typically only upgrade the video card before doing a completely new system build/purchase)

On the other hand, going with a Dell gets you:

1) Free technical support and no headaches ensuring the system works out of the box

2) A quiet gaming rig (unlike the jet engine I have now)

3) Perks, like a flat screen monitor included for free

All of the above said, what REALLY matters to me is price/performance ratio.

If I can build a rig for less than the equivalent performance I will get from a Dell, I will go the custom route.

However, if I can get a Dell with equivalent performance and an equal or better price to a custom rig, I will go with the Dell.

I was thinking along similar lines to bamacre:

I have built plenty of systems, but my next PC will definitely be a dell from their Outlet.

Something like this...
http://www.majortoker.com/images/dell_xps410_769.jpg
... but I'll switch the video card out myself for an 8800 GTS.

Would you be able to build a custom rig with an 8800GTS at a similar price point?

 

[bamacre]

Originally posted by: Xerin7
I was thinking along similar lines to bamacre:

I have built plenty of systems, but my next PC will definitely be a dell from their Outlet.

Something like this...
http://www.majortoker.com/images/dell_xps410_769.jpg
... but I'll switch the video card out myself for an 8800 GTS.

Would you be able to build a custom rig with an 8800GTS at a similar price point?

No way in hell you could build that for less.

That does not have an 8800 GTS of course, you'd need to add that yourself. Very easy to do though.

Figure,...

E6600 $318
2GB $170
HD $90
Mobo $110
Case $70
PSU $90
OS $90
Opticals $60

That's a grand right there.

 

[Xerin7]

The challenge is that Dell forces certain components into the configuration, or charges more to upgrade to a better component than if you bought that component directly.

For example, Dell doesn't even offer an 8800 GTS in their lineup. You either have to pay for their default graphics card or upgrade to an 8800 GTX at a ridiculous premium.

Last night, I looked at similar pricing for a custom built package (E6600, 8800 GTX, 2GB, sound card, speakers, lcd monitor, etc.) vs. a Dell. Once you use a 10% Dell coupon, the prices are almost identical (around $2,650).

The thing I like about custom built is that you can choose the exact components you want instead of having to choose from a small selection offered by Dell. For example, you can go with the most recommended LCD monitor in your price range instead of being forced to go with Dell's choices. You can ensure the motherboard, power supply, hard drive, etc. are exactly what you want.

Dell seems a good option only if you are happy with the components they offer in their lineup. It becomes more appealing if you can take advantage of a special offer beyond the 10% off coupon.

Any other points I may have missed??

 

[GreenGhost]

You're right about the limited number of options for video cards. Sometimes that makes the difference and stops people from buying a Dell. My current computer is a Dell because it was impossible to build for the same price, and I got a small LCD which I sold easily.

Many times ppl don't account for the cost of the OS & other accessories in their comparisons. Unless you get a $$ advantage thru overclocking, when Dell has good offers it's hard to justify building your own if you're plan to keep the pc untouched for 2 years or more.