Build own or Pre-built?

[ku]

Just wondering because I am looking for a new computer within the next couple months and I thought I'd better get started on research. I've seen some pretty cheap pre-built computers (www.cyberpowersystem.com) and I'm beginning to doubt if building my own computer is even worth it anymore. What would you guys suggest? Also, any other good websites that sells prebuilt computers would be helpful. THANKS! (btw, need it for gaming mostly...)

 

[Ronin]

Only real benefit to getting pre built is a warranty, which means nothing if the company doesn't honor it. Personally, I won't buy a pre-built for home use, ever. I'll always build my boxes up, because then I'm the one that configured it, set it up, put the hardware in, and installed the OS. That way I know everything about the box, and I know where every part has been. Plus, there's no better satisfaction than building your own system (unless you're lazy and would rather have someone else build it for you).

 

[Schadenfroh]

build

 

[ku]

well I am lazy... but I've built my own computer and built computers for other people and stuff... But i've compared the prices of the exact same parts with some sites w/ newegg and these sites are CHEAPER!

 

[jdogg707]

You also learn a lot about the system you are building, about how it works, and if something goes wrong, how to fix it. If you are going to get a Pre-Built box, at least buy from Dell or from someone who you know will at least be around in three years when you want warranty work done on your system. I would build it, enjoy getting it together, and get a better/more customizable selection of parts in which to choose from.

 

[ponyo]

It's really hard to beat Dell's prices. Sometimes it's impossible when they have those crazy deals that pop up once or twice a year.

 

[adams828]

Originally posted by: Naustica
It's really hard to beat Dell's prices. Sometimes it's impossible when they have those crazy deals that pop up once or twice a year.

agreed, sometimes you just can't say no to their prices. otherwise i'd say build your own. yeah some places have a pre-built for less, but most that do, i wouldn't neccessarily trust so much. plus one main reason to buy pre-built is name-brand backup/service.. which cheap places don't give you either. and of course, the knowledge and satisfaction gained from building your own is nice too.

 

[nitromullet]

The place you mentioned in your post www.cyberpowersystem.com appears to simply build pc's from parts that you yourself can buy separately. In terms of cost, my advice would be to part out the identical system from them pre-built as opposed to the parts separately (from them and elsewhere). Pay close attention to stuff like the power supply and memory, since it appears that by default they use no-name generic stuff for these parts. My guess is that once you part out identical systems, the price will be about the same. Basically, buying from a place like this requires you to know almost as much about the hardware as if you were to build one yourself. If you think you are getting an awesome deal without knowing what you are buying, chances are they cut corners somewhere.

I would personally vote for building my own in either way. You will learn a lot, you will know exactly what you have, and if you do it wisely, you can set yourself up on a good upgrade path. I have never replaced an entire pc at once, since it built my first machine. Instead, I upgrade various different components as I deem necessary. For instance, I might upgrade the motherboard, cpu, and memory, but keep all the other components since hard drive cdrom/dvd technologies don't change as quickly. You can really only do this type of upgrading if you know what you have and what is compatable with what.

The reason for doing this is the fact that I prefer to spend a coupla $100 every now and then and always have a strong system, instead of having to cough up a coupla $1000 every few years to replace a system that has been outclassed for some time.

 

[redass1876]

just watch dell for a while, when they have a great sale, take it, and swap out parts you want to upgrade, cheaper this way, and sometimes barebones can be the way to go, kinda a half build

 

[nitromullet]

Originally posted by: redass1876
just watch dell for a while, when they have a great sale, take it, and swap out parts you want to upgrade, cheaper this way, and sometimes barebones can be the way to go, kinda a half build

I do not possibly see how this could be the cheapest way to go, but I could be wrong. Have you done this yourself? Have any examples w/ prices?

 

[ku]

=D i used to buy dell systems and stuff... but I need a small case (looking into SFF). If I could find a small mid-tower from dell with some decent parts, I'll go for it. And btw, i have compared cyberpowersystem's rigs to other sites. When using even the cheapest parts for which they dont mention (like you said, could be generic), prices are still identical/cheaper. But I'll keep an eye on dell though... thanks =D...

PS: anyone know a good site where they sell shuttles for cheap?

 

[OverVolt]

Buy from Dell = walking across the street without looking, sometimes it's smooth, and sometimes things can go horribly wrong.

 

[LLLosingit]

Originally posted by: nitromullet

Originally posted by: redass1876
just watch dell for a while, when they have a great sale, take it, and swap out parts you want to upgrade, cheaper this way, and sometimes barebones can be the way to go, kinda a half build

I do not possibly see how this could be the cheapest way to go, but I could be wrong. Have you done this yourself? Have any examples w/ prices?

I can give you an example.
Dell PE400SC P4 2.4 800fsb 40g hard drive 128mb and Palm zire 21 $369.00 delivered $100 rebate = $269 sold the Zire to a friend for $50 brings it down to $219, sold Dell back the hard drive and ram for $129 bringing it down to $90

WESTERN DIGITAL 80GB Hard Drive-7200 RPM-8MB Cache at OM = $19.99 After Rebate

Bought two 512 sticks of Corsair PC 3200 for $135 After rebate

I already had a dell system so I used the restore disk from it to install XP home.

Bought a MSI Nvidia FX5900XT from Newegg for $185 shipped

I bought an NEC 8X DVD -RW/+RW and Liteon DVD-rom at Newegg for $150

Refurbished IBM P260 21" CRT monitor for $110 Shipped from a nearby by refurbisher.

So for around $700 I have
P4 2.4 800Fsb
XP home
1 GB ram
80GB HD
FX5900XT
8X DVD -RW/+RW
16X DVD-Rom
21" CRT monitor

I Just bought another complete system on the last Dell Deal, should be here later this week.

Dimension 8300 Series,Intel Pentium 4 Processor at 3.0GHz w/HT Technology and 1MB cache
XP Home Edition
Microsoft Office 2003 Basic Edition,Dimension,BSD
256MB DDR at 400MHZ
80GB 7200 RPM Ultra ATA Hard Drive
3.5in Floppy Drive
16X DVD-Rom Drive
8X DVD+R/RW CD-RW Combination Drive
128MB DDR ATI RADEON 9800 PRO Graphics Card with TV-Out and DVI
17 in E172FPBFlat Panel Display

Total Order Amount: $1,105.81- $150 for the rebate = $955.81

 

[Corporate Thug]

Originally posted by: Schadenfroh
build

 

[Snapster]

Build, it's a pride thing.

 

[Dman877]

I was on dell's site a few days ago and they had a free 2GB memory upgrade on P4C's which... isn't cheap even if they used generic stuff.

 

[daballard]

I would have to say build. To keep costs down, they are cutting corners where ever they can...

 

[Brian48]

Build your own. The experience alone will be worth it.

 

[Budmantom]

Right now you can buy a Dell 8300: 3Ghz, 1gb of ram, 80gb hd, 9800pro and xp for $800, you can'y buy the parts this cheap.

Tom

 

[mooojojojo]

Originally posted by: Ronin
Plus, there's no better satisfaction than building your own system (unless you're lazy and would rather have someone else build it for you).

Sometimes laziness has nothing to do with it. Some people simply don't have the time to build, tweak and troubleshoot a new PC.

 

[Caminetto]

Just put together an A64 system with all parts, except a dell lcd monitor, purchased from newegg. I saved $900 over the exact same system from what I priced at Micro Express. Plus I have higher quality parts. Still, I know some who are loaded, don't have the time, or don't want to deal with the possible problems and are glad to pay the extra.

 

[DiverDave]

Sometimes laziness has nothing to do with it. Some people simply don't have the time to build, tweak and troubleshoot a new PC.

That would be me...plus having computer parts scattered across the floor would cause problems with the wife if it was for an extended time. How long would it take to build a system from scratch?

In pricing out a system from Monarch vs buying the components from newegg it seems that there is only a few $ difference. Maybe 100-200. And I would get a parts and labour warrenty. Newegg isnt as good deal for me since I would have to pay taxes on the computer which would eliminate most of the savings that I might get from free shipping. If I pay both shipping and taxes I'd just buy locally.

If I knew it would only take 4-8 hrs to assemble the system from scratch I might take a crack but it would have to be significantly cheaper.

oh one other things. If I build from scratch how would I find out what cabling I would need vs what the parts came with? The last thing I would want is to be halfway through on a Sat night and find out that I needed to buy a cable to hook up the HD to the MB

 

[RollWave]

Originally posted by: OverVolt
Buy from Dell = walking across the street without looking, sometimes it's smooth, and sometimes things can go horribly wrong.

EXCELLENT analogy!

 

[Alptraum]

Originally posted by: DiverDave

Sometimes laziness has nothing to do with it. Some people simply don't have the time to build, tweak and troubleshoot a new PC.

That would be me...plus having computer parts scattered across the floor would cause problems with the wife if it was for an extended time. How long would it take to build a system from scratch?

In pricing out a system from Monarch vs buying the components from newegg it seems that there is only a few $ difference. Maybe 100-200. And I would get a parts and labour warrenty. Newegg isnt as good deal for me since I would have to pay taxes on the computer which would eliminate most of the savings that I might get from free shipping. If I pay both shipping and taxes I'd just buy locally.

If I knew it would only take 4-8 hrs to assemble the system from scratch I might take a crack but it would have to be significantly cheaper.

oh one other things. If I build from scratch how would I find out what cabling I would need vs what the parts came with? The last thing I would want is to be halfway through on a Sat night and find out that I needed to buy a cable to hook up the HD to the MB

Assuming things go well you can assemble an entire system from scratch in under an hour. Throw another hour or so on for software loading. You can actually do it in less time, but 2-3 hours is a totally safe bet. As far as the cables go, just make sure you read what comes with what. Most mother boards will have all the HD and floppy type cables you need.

 

[redass1876]

i just stripped my case and put in a new mobo/proc and PSU, so basically a full build, and loaded windows again, in just over an hour, its not really that time consuming