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Build OR BUY???

H

human2k

Diamond Member
Cousin was asking me should he build his next system or buy it, i told him to build its cuz its fun and u know that good components are going in to your system. He then showed me an add for best buy OEM machine, I told him to calculate how much it would cost to build if he ordered all the parts at newegg and his total came to around $970ish to match the components. The system is listed at $1099 plus a $99 mail-in rebate, I was thinking maybe it is a good deal?

here's the specs:

Intel 845D mobo w/on board sound/modem/lan/6PCI/1AGP
Pentium 4 1.8GHZ
512MB PC2100 DDR
Geforce 2 MX 400 64MB
100GB 7200RPM HD
24x12x40 CD-RW
16X DVD ROM
WinXP Home/1 Year warranty

http://www.bestbuy.com/detail.asp?e=11099472&m=488&cat=0&scat=0


 
Why buy everything from newegg? In fact, why buy anything from newegg? Go to pricewatch and buy from the cheapest source (keeping shipping in mind too). He may end up saving another $50 to $100 dollars by shopping around.
 


<< Why buy everything from newegg? In fact, why buy anything from newegg? Go to pricewatch and buy from the cheapest source (keeping shipping in mind too). He may end up saving another $50 to $100 dollars by shopping around. >>




I try to buy from least number of source as possible. More shipments to track, more often you have to be home to receive the package, more source to deal with when something goes wrong and saving $50 isn't worth all this hassle to me.

 


<< Cousin was asking me should he build his next system or buy it, i told him to build its cuz its fun and u know that good components are going in to your system. He then showed me an add for best buy OEM machine, I told him to calculate how much it would cost to build if he ordered all the parts at newegg and his total came to around $970ish to match the components. The system is listed at $1099 plus a $99 mail-in rebate, I was thinking maybe it is a good deal?

here's the specs:

Intel 845D mobo w/on board sound/modem/lan/6PCI/1AGP
Pentium 4 1.8GHZ
512MB PC2100 DDR
Geforce 2 MX 400 64MB
100GB 7200RPM HD
24x12x40 CD-RW
16X DVD ROM
WinXP Home/1 Year warranty

http://www.bestbuy.com/detail.asp?e=11099472&m=488&cat=0&scat=0 >>



Did you consider softwares?

OEM version of XP will cost about $100 on top of the hardware and thats only the operating system. He will need the everyday softwares such as MS Office if he's going to do anything beyond gaming with the machine and you simply can't beat the software combo deal of OEM when you build your own computer
 


<< Why buy everything from newegg? In fact, why buy anything from newegg? Go to pricewatch and buy from the cheapest source (keeping shipping in mind too). >>



Because once you add in shipping on pretty much any of the "top" prices on pricewatch, almost any normal component you're going to buy will be cheaper at newegg. When it isn't cheaper, it isn't by more than a few dollars and you save that by buying almost everything from that one source. On top of that there's the service. I trust Newegg to take care of things right more than I do the places that rape you on shipping just to get their names to the top of the list on pricewatch....most of whom have horrible ratings at resellerratings. The only stuff I wouldn't buy from newegg is RAM which comes cheaper from Crucial with free shipping, or used components from the FS/FT forum.
 


<< I try to buy from least number of source as possible. More shipments to track, more often you have to be home to receive the package, more source to deal with when something goes wrong and saving $50 isn't worth all this hassle to me. >>


Good points, Jerboy.

I keep track of things easily with Excel, so that's no problem. My wife stays home raising our son so there's always somebody there to get packages, that's no problem. I'd only have to deal with multiple sources if multiple pieces of hardware went bad, which is rare. Saving $50 is worth it to me. That's enough for a few extra's (fans, a game, case mod accessories, etc.). I just ordered parts for my sister's new computer (a TA member too, btw!). I ordered from 6 different places to get the best deals.
 


<< Why buy everything from newegg? In fact, why buy anything from newegg? Go to pricewatch and buy from the cheapest source (keeping shipping in mind too). >>





<< Because once you add in shipping on pretty much any of the "top" prices on pricewatch, almost any normal component you're going to buy will be cheaper at newegg. When it isn't cheaper, it isn't by more than a few dollars and you save that by buying almost everything from that one source. On top of that there's the service. I trust Newegg to take care of things right more than I do the places that rape you on shipping just to get their names to the top of the list on pricewatch....most of whom have horrible ratings at resellerratings. The only stuff I wouldn't buy from newegg is RAM which comes cheaper from Crucial with free shipping, or used components from the FS/FT forum. >>



If you notice the last line there, I do keep shipping cost in mind to get the best "Final Price". By shopping around you can find places with free shipping. PC Mutants has free shipping right now for orders over $50 and their prices are still very good (not inflated to cover the free shipping) I agree about buying from trusted sources. I've bought from many places over the years and have compiled an "AVOID" list! The biggest screw job I ever got was from The Big Store. They went out of business a few years ago.......therein lies the problem. 🙁

Edit: Typo 😱
 
i would build, even if it costs more. its feels a lot more satisfying to build a computer than buying one. the experience will make up the difference in cost.
 
I didn't overlook that you mentioned shipping. I was simply saying that once you factor it in like you say, that newegg comes out on top nearly always. When it doesn't, buying from 1 very trusted source makes up for the small difference (be that by saving you on shipping, peace of mind, or both).
 
I always build, it lets me get to know my machine intimately 😉. Also I feel more comfortable messing around with the innards of a machine I've built myself. And then by building yourself you also know exactly what parts are going into the machine, no-one sneaking in cheap parts to bring the cost down so you know your using quality stuff.
 
The nice thing about building is that it leaves you an upgrade path. Most OEM computers use proprietary parts, and are difficult to upgrade.
 
Another thing to consider too is that if the system breaks down what is going to happen? How long is the warranty for the Best Buy system? Also if you build it for her and something breaks you will be the one that she calls.

I have been building computers for my friends/family for about 5 years. Sometimes it is worth it for them to buy from someone else. That way you can help them out once and a while, but are not obligated because you built it.


Will



 
I build my own computers. But I recommend that most people buy a prebuilt system or that they have a good local shop build one to their specifications. For the extra $50 to 100 they will pay compared to building their own they get a working system and a warranty. I feel sorry for all the people who post, my cpu caught fire, my system shuts down after running for 10 minutes, AMD sucks because (basically I do not know what I am doing), I put anything together and nothing happens type threads on this forum.

Having a working system is a much more enjoyable experience than a system you have built which will only beep when you turn it on.
 
If you have your software ripp'd then build the comp. If you dont have an OS go out and get a retail computer.
 
i build my first computer (one im using know) but i wish i had known what i was doing.

if you know alot about computer parts then go right ahead casue youll be proud that you did it all on your own
 
i vote build

but Get Rid Of That MX400 AND get a real card


seriously go for a gts at least please you will thank me later lol
 
If you stay up to date with the latest info, you would probably want to build your own computer with the specific parts that provide the best performance and cost. It will will take extra time, effort and possibly money to do the research and build your own but you'll end up with a better computer. The easy route is to buy a ready made system. Most people would opt for this.
Both options have their advantages. I would prefer to build my own, even at a higher cost.
 


<< i vote build

but Get Rid Of That MX400 AND get a real card
 >>




Radeon and GF3 are nothing but fast video card and you'll only see the benefit over something like TNT64 when you're gaming for 99% of home users(correct me if I'm wrong), therefore those aren't anymore real than TNT64 or ATI Xpert.


I'm still running ATI XPert98 and it works perfectly fine, because my computer isn't a game machine.
 


<< Radeon and GF3 are nothing but fast video card and you'll only see the benefit over something like TNT64 when you're gaming for 99% of home users(correct me if I'm wrong), therefore those aren't anymore real than TNT64 or ATI Xpert. >>



What's the point of a 1.8 Ghz processor with no games to play?
Scoob
 
Pick your hassle... would you rather tweak hardware and settings yourself, or wait on the phone to talk to some guy who may or may not know what he's talking about, and then lug the thing back to Best Buy and wait a while for repairs? 🙂

If you like tinkering, by all means build.

The other advantage, as other people have said, is that you can upgrade a homebuilt machine more readily. You can put a steady trickle of money into your system, upgrade piece by piece over time, and have a system you like at all times---rather than suffering through cycles of obsolescence, buying a new PC every few years, and always spending the last year of a PC's lifespan wishing you had something better.
 
I agree with Imdmn04 about the satisfaction of building it yourself. It was a challenge but it only took me a couple of hours to put mine together. And to get back at my 13 year old daughter who replied when I announced I was going to build a computer..."Yeah, right DAD!"

PLUS I enjoy getting packages (of components). Almost like Christmas!

Ken
 
If he doesn't care about no OEM warrany or tech support than by all means build it! Building is fun!😀 Wish I could do it more!😀😀😀
 
If your not comfortable building your own system, at least pick and choose the best components and give that list to a local computer shop and let them build it for you.

It WILL cost more, but it "should" work when you pick it up.

I'm the same boat, I designed a P4 systems and these are the prices:

NEWEGG.COM / MWAVE.COM (about the same price) = $1138.99 + 47.54 shipping, TOTAL = $1186.53

Local shop same parts = $1445 + 61.60 tax, Total = $1506.60

Difference = $320.07

For me, the difference is too much...I rather build it myself. 🙂

Good Luck!!
 
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