Barebones

[Dumbone]

HI
It it worth it to buy a barebones system? I see the ease or getting the case, power supply and motherboard all in one package. And the price is reasonable for most barebones. One of the better ones I have seen are made by MSI. Why? They come with a 300 watt power supply and the case fans if I remember right are 120mm for cooling.
What are your thoughts????
Thanks
Dumbone

 

[Zepper]

Only worth it if you are getting better stuff than you can get separately for the same money. Most barebones are for low-end systems. PSUs are likely to be junk that you'd never buy separately, cases flimsy. But there are always the rare exceptions perhaps with a Compucase/HEC case and PSU or an Evercase with a Sparkle or Fortron PSU or an AOpen bundle with an AOpen mobo, case and PSU usually OEMed by Fortron. You just have to know what's what to avoid getting burned...

.bh.

 

[DaveSimmons]

I'd only buy one for a custom size, like a Shuttle cube or a slimine small barebone.

Otherwise, for a budget office system I'd start with an Antec NSK4400 case (decent case & PSU, 120mm fan, very quiet).

For a gaming system, the PSU is crucial for powering the video card so I'd get an empty case and buy the PSU separately.

 

[Dumbone]

Hi
I forgot to add that the pc would be used for internet access and maybe some word processing. And, as a second or backup pc. With that kind of use I would guess just about any system with a micro atx motherboard that has the video and audio built in would work.
My biggest concern and that was brought ot in a reply was the power supply. I've built 2 pc's and the power supply in each one failed in the first 3 to 6 months. The power supplies were all Antec and all over 400 wattc so that there was ample current to power just about anything. Antec replaced them all and the replacements are still running. I guess me and Antec don't get along!!! LOLOLOL
Thanks
Dumbone

 

[DaveSimmons]

The best deal might be a Dell on sale then: pre-built, warranty, and a legal copy of Windows. A $500 laptop is another idea since you can set it up anywhere and put it away when you're done.

 

[Dumbone]

HI
I had actually thought about a Dell or a laptop. Before I retired we used Dells at work. Once you got past the 2 to 3 month "breakin" period they would run forever. As for the laptop,,, a few weeks ago I saw a laptop at Best Buy. I think it was made by Compaq. The price was $449 while supplies lasted.
I started to look at building from all new parts and then got off on a tangent when I saw the barebones.
You can't beat the warranty of buying a Dell or Gateway or Compaq or any of the others.
And, you can't beat the satisfaction of building from scratch.
Thanks
Dumbone