Build a Rig or Purchase

[ParatoOptimal]

A frined of mine is wondering if it would be better to spend $500 on a Dell or eMachine or if it would be better to build.

I'm asking my fellow ATers because my price performance knowledge is lagging a few months since I built my last rig.

I don't know the specs of his current rig.
I'll edit this post when I get that info.

He has a CD-RW, DVD-ROM, floppy, PS, 512MB RAM from his old sys.

I think he has a P3 so I assume he'll need new RAM with any decent sys upgrade.
I don't iknow if his PS will support P4 or Athlon. So, he may or may not need a new PS.

What are your suggestions for items, price and retailer?

Thanks

 

[ashegam]

Go check out newegg and look for the parts you need and get some idea of prices. we need more details about what he has to be able to tell you what's a keeper and what he needs to buy from scratch. But if he has had a PIII chances are he needs, or is better off, going all new. final decesion is up to him and how much he wants to spend. with $500 you can put a comp together that will be better then dell in most benchmarks. Only thing is with Dell you might get lucky and get a free monitor in which case that would be a better deal then building you own. good luck.

 

[phaxmohdem]

Yeah, I'd honestly hold off until just after thanksgiving when all the deals start rolling out, I'd bet he could find a sweet deal on a good prebuilt rig then.

 

[drwngflies]

eMachines are well known for "less than adequate" quality on their parts, especially PSU's.
DELL? please no.
Even with "rusty" or little hardware experience, I would still suggest building your own.
This way, you know Exactly what is in it, and have the feeling of accomplishment after a successfull BOOT.
Go for the build, you'll have more appreciation for your $$

 

[DrMrLordX]

If you want to buy a pre-built system, try configuring one for youself at Monarch or something like that.

 

[fire400]

I don't recall many Pentium 3's using DDR RAM unless it was server based, and even then it was probably utilizing DDR200, which is 1600 based and mobos nowdays will rarely support anything under DDR266, not to mention DDR2.

Anandtech wrote an article about building rigs vs standard over-the-counter comps. You will pay for a nice looking case, but the graphics and things you need for other things you're using the comp for will be missing, or will come with things that the PC user is paying for and never use. Like paying extra for a DVD-RW and never using it and in consequence agreeing to receive integrated x300 graphics which can barely run UT2004 or even BF2.

The plus about the prebuilt comps is that essentially, the software is free, like the OS. But I would never recommend XP Home for enthusiasts.

 

[Zap]

Originally posted by: ParatoOptimal
A frined of mine is wondering if it would be better to spend $500 on a Dell or eMachine or if it would be better to build.

Two questions:
1) What is he using the system for?
2) How "computer literate" is he?

If the answer to 1 is just internet and home office type work then any new computer will be an upgrade to his P3.

If the answer to 2 is not very, tell him to buy a machine of whatever brand that has a warranty and tech support.

I think the "real question" your friend may be wondering is, "is it better to buy a name brand or buy a custom rig." Unless he's already experienced with at least some upgrades and stuff, building your own is not necessarily the best choice. You can have "custom built" without "building your own" by having someone (friend or computer tech) help you, or paying someone (perhaps local computer store or some internet shop) for a custom built system.

His CDRW and DVDROM may be re-useable (as well as floppy, if he still uses one) but probably everything else needs replacement.

 

[ashegam]

good points zap!