Buy or build? Where is your next PC coming from?

[DevilsAdvocate]

I recently purchased a new Athlon XP 2600+ box for my office with a 17" LCD for around $550 AR from Compaq.

There is no way that I could have ever built something comparable for that little.

I hope to have the $$$ to buy a new box for home later this year, and I began wondering if I would ever build my own PC again, given how cheap boxes drom Dell, Compaq, HP, and even Gateway have become.

I was kinda curious, so I thought I'd try a poll...

 

[zimu]

you seem to be lacking options in your poll,...

 

[DevilsAdvocate]

Originally posted by: zimu
you seem to be lacking options in your poll,...

uhhh... fixed

 

[zixxer]

I might end up sticking with laptops only.

I use my dell laptop while my built p4 literally is used only as a bittorrent server

p4 3.2
1.5gb memory
200gb wd hdd
40gb maxtor
lian li pc60

....collecting dust

 

[cpals]

I'd probably build it just because I find it fun. I'm sure I could buy a Dell for a whole lot cheaper.

 

[Svnla]

I will build it for fun and the ablity to pick the best components that I like. I may buy if I have a hot deal from the big boys such as Dell, HP, Gateway and the likes.

 

[MAME]

cpals
you can DEFINATELY build a computer for the same if not less money compared to getting a dell. For $450, I got a sweeeeeeeet rig.

 

[zimu]

i was thinking build, but pre-built are so cheap and come with all these warranty's which really make them attractive.

although it would be nice to understand building computers a bit more!

 

[TheBoyBlunder]

It depends. If I can buy a pre-built with what I want for cheaper then I can hand build it, I'll buy a pre-built. Otherwise, unless I'm buying a laptop, I'll just hand build my next system.

 

[Lonyo]

For gaming you pretty much have to build your own, or for anything above "stock" it'e better building, people like Dell rip you off on upgrades (like extra RAM/better vid card).

 

[LuNoTiCK]

I would buy the prebuilt from wherever is cheapest and than I would add what I need. Basically I would do it the cheapest way possible.

 

[dxkj]

Full specs of your system please?

I agree that Dell and Friends have the market somewhat cornered on cheap POS systems that are pretty much only good at browsing the web/office stuff, and older games.

When you want a higher-end system, they F you on the price. And since I can build an equivalent fast computer, for much less, I would do that.

 

[MaxDepth]

When I build another one, it'll be a PVR for the satelite.

 

[ElFenix]

Originally posted by: Lonyo
For gaming you pretty much have to build your own, or for anything above "stock" it'e better building, people like Dell rip you off on upgrades (like extra RAM/better vid card).

extra ram yes, but better vid card? they were charging $140 for a 9800 pro as an upgrade from a GF2MX when the 9800 pro was $400. thats still a good price, even with $200 9800 pros.

 

[JoeKing]

Gonna build it this summer.

You can't really beat the software package most prebuilts come with. But if you already have the software you need/want then building your own is the best.

 

[stev0]

where is the option for built?

i just put together my new rig last friday

 

[Hammer]

buy

 

[dxkj]

Originally posted by: stev0
where is the option for built?

i just put together my new rig last friday

specs? cost? kinda relevant

 

[MAME]

the warrenty issue is moot. The parts all have warrenties if you build your own.

Not to mention the customer support is absolutly horrid from any computer company

 

[FeathersMcGraw]

I don't know if I'd ever go back to buying prebuilt systems, even cost issues aside. I prefer to know exactly what's in the case.

 

[freebee]

Will wait for a Dell hot deal. And then upgrade parts aftermarket with more ram, HD, etc. These days with the Dell hot deals, their system prices are unbeatable.

Though at ordinary, website prices, a Dell compared to a self-built is not that great.

 

[Flyermax2k3]

I'll never buy another pre-built computer again. OEMs skimp on everything they can. I'd rather buy name-brand components that I have personally selected to meet my needs and then assemble them in a manner I want them to be assembled. Not only that but what OEM gives you a BIOS you can actually use? No o/cing with OEM systems (software o/c may be possible in some cases, but I prefer hardware-level o/cing).
They may be inexpensive, but you get what you pay for...

 

[StageLeft]

My interest in comp hardware has mostly evaporated over the past few years, but I re-educated myself a little last month when I needed an upgrade. Buying new was still not going to work for me. I didn't need anything but a mobo/cpu/ram and upgrading seemed the logical choice. I like to upgrade as I require it, so an all-encompassing replacement of everything isn't appropriate.

the warrenty issue is moot.

That and the fact that computer hardware is incredibly robust, if not abused. I've never in my life encountered a single failure. Not to say it doesn't happen, but warranties are not worth as much to me as many people seem to think.

Actually I did have a failure recently on a piece of garbage power source I bought, but that was the first ever, and since it was only a few weeks old I got a replacement easily and quickly (certainly easier than if I had to call up dell and play on the phone).

 

[Red Dawn]

I'll probably build one but I wouldn't mind having someone else build it for me. I've built at least a thousand computers and I get no joy out of it anymore. I don't even like opening my case to upgrade my computer. It's a shame really because I use to love working on computers but when I got a job doing it my enthusiam for working on them went out the window.

 

[StageLeft]

Originally posted by: Red Dawn
I'll probably build one but I wouldn't mind having someone else build it for me. I've built at least a thousand computers and I get no joy out of it anymore. I don't even like opening my case to upgrade my computer. It's a shame really because I use to love working on computers but when I got a job doing it my enthusiam for working on them went out the window.

Yep