Cheaper nowadays to buy a complete system than build your own?

[JEDI]

I have a Sempron 3100+. It's socket 754, and AGP.

My goal is to play Supreme Commander adaquately.

Apparently it's as CPU intensive as well as GPU. (probably Radeon 1950Pro)

If i want dual core (or AMD X2), i need to upgrade mobo, cpu, memory, and video card (since new systems are PCI-E). The only thing i could reuse is the case (Enlight 300W PS) and 200gig hd.

Cheaper to buy complete system or build it yourself?

 

[xenogen84]

I think its cheaper to build your own.

 

[deadseasquirrel]

What is your estimated budget?

Also keep in mind that Supreme Commander is tough on even the most expensive PC configs. See here.

 

[ShellGuy]

It is no longer cheaper to build ur own, unless you need specific specs met, Dell has better buying pwr than you will ever have, I always build mine so i get to pick exactly what i want. I have built one sys this week for a customer and have a few more on order that i need to fig out what to build them. But for the most part people buy dell or someone..


Will G.

 

[guptasa1]

Here's my personal evaluation:

Want a decent rig with good build quality that'll do most things well? It's probably cheaper to go with Dell or Gateway or one of the mainstream computer builders. I actually priced a mid-range system for a customer (I do PC troubleshooting on the side) if I were to build it versus just helping her with setup and getting it from Dell. Using really good components in the build, the Dell actually turned out slightly cheaper, and that wasn't even counting my fee to build the thing, so I advised her to go with that (plus you get the benefit of their warranty).

Now, if you're looking to build the ultimate system with *specific* parts, accessories, and features, you're looking at saving a LOT of money. Sure, there are companies out there that do it and do it very well (my last computer was from GamePC, and I love them, but they charge an arm and a leg). There's also Alienware, Falcon Northwest, Voodoo Extreme, etc... But they all charge *huge* premiums on the stuff, so you can save a lot doing it yourself. I still visit these sites to see what parts THEY use in their builds, and often time if you price a part there versus, say, Newegg, you'll find a 50%-100% markup on the custom builder's site.

In fact, that's why this time I'm going to be building my own dream PC, and I expect to save a few thousand doing it myself over what it would cost if I let GamePC or one of the other premium companies do it. At the same time, it allows me to build a much more specific machine than Dell will.

BUT, Dell's do make solid all-around gaming machines, and if you're looking for that, I really don't think you can go wrong. Just my two cents.

 

[ibex333]

Originally posted by: ShellGuy
It is no longer cheaper to build ur own, unless you need specific specs met, Dell has better buying pwr than you will ever have, I always build mine so i get to pick exactly what i want. I have built one sys this week for a customer and have a few more on order that i need to fig out what to build them. But for the most part people buy dell or someone..


Will G.

I disagree. When you buy Dell you dont know what mobo and ram you are getting.
you dont know what BRAND they are, and if you want a particular brand, you cant get that with Dell.

Dell limits your choices... Let's say Dell gives you a Biostar or a DFI mobo... (just for example)

But I happen to want Gigabyte or eVGA. What do I do? Build my own!

Also, I cant choose what PSU Dell gives me, and I cant refuse Windows, and other bundled programs for which I am forced to pay, but dont need.

 

[Ruptga]

In the low end, OEMs are cheaper for ya, plus they have a warranty, but in the mid to high end, it's a lot cheaper to build it yourself.

 

[SparkyJJO]

Originally posted by: ADDAvenger
In the low end, OEMs are cheaper for ya, plus they have a warranty, but in the mid to high end, it's a lot cheaper to build it yourself.

Each individual part has a warranty when you build yourself, and instead of being stuck with only 1 or 2 years on everything, some parts could have longer (like 5 years on a Seagate drive for example).

I'm always going to build my own system because that way I know exactly what I'm getting. No crappy PSU, no junk WD drive (personal beef with them, they always died on me :frown: ), better RAM, case choice - basically a lot more options. Also, I'd like to see somebody overclock a Dell or HP effectively

 

[bamacre]

Originally posted by: ibex333

Originally posted by: ShellGuy
It is no longer cheaper to build ur own, unless you need specific specs met, Dell has better buying pwr than you will ever have, I always build mine so i get to pick exactly what i want. I have built one sys this week for a customer and have a few more on order that i need to fig out what to build them. But for the most part people buy dell or someone..


Will G.

I disagree. When you buy Dell you dont know what mobo and ram you are getting.
you dont know what BRAND they are, and if you want a particular brand, you cant get that with Dell.

Dell limits your choices... Let's say Dell gives you a Biostar or a DFI mobo... (just for example)

But I happen to want Gigabyte or eVGA. What do I do? Build my own!

Also, I cant choose what PSU Dell gives me, and I cant refuse Windows, and other bundled programs for which I am forced to pay, but dont need.

He's talking about price, and you argue choice. :roll:

In MANY cases, it is cheaper to buy a Dell than build. I would say from low-end, all the way up to an XPS 410. After that, BYO is the better deal. Plus you get a legal copy of an OS (something many people don't include with their builds).

And if you do some research, you can find out what brands of parts Dell uses. LOL, name a part, I'll tell you what brands Dell uses.

 

[bamacre]

Originally posted by: SparkyJJO
Also, I'd like to see somebody overclock a Dell or HP effectively

That is the biggest drawback to using a Dell, no cpu OC'ing. Especially with C2D's.

 

[thecoolnessrune]

Its pretty much always been cheaper to build your own unless your building in the enthusiast market. In the budget sector, buying from the big brands will always be cheaper.

 

[bamacre]

Here is an example, two of these dropped last night...

http://outlet.us.dell.com/ARBOnlineSale...0LWLE4&~lt=popup&c=us&l=en&s=dfh&cs=22

Sell off the ECC ram, and add 2GB of that Super Talent DDR2-667 ($120). Sell off the 80GB, add a 250GB WD w/ 16MB cache ($70). Sell off the Quado and add a 320MB 8800 GTS ($290), and add a dvdrw ($30).

That leaves you with a nice gaming rig for less than $1K, and a 3yr warranty, along with Vista Biz.

 

[engiNURD]

If you have special needs (OC'ing, gaming, CAD, etc), building it yourself is cheaper. If you have no special needs, then an OEM would be the best choice, as far as price goes. I agree, the biggest drawbacks to an OEM are no overclocking and parts selection.

 

[GregMal]

If all you're looking at is price....go with the premade (Dell, etc...).
But the killer for me is the service. When I put together a machine, I know everything
about it. If a drive dies, I can replace (and install) it.
With premades alot of it can be proprietary and you have to go to them for parts.
And forget about the warranties. Send the machine in for repairs and you're out days
or weeks without the machine. Oh, and if you pay for the warranties/service then
putting it together yourself is cheaper...................

 

[JEDI]

hm.. if i buy from Dell, i'd waste $ on their video card since i would replace it with at least a Radeon 1950Pro.

I guess all i need is a Fry's Dual core combo special, and some memory, and i'm good to go for this game?

btw- How well does WinXP do Dual core, or do i realy need Vista?

 

[JonnyBlaze]

Originally posted by: bamacre

Originally posted by: SparkyJJO
Also, I'd like to see somebody overclock a Dell or HP effectively

That is the biggest drawback to using a Dell, no cpu OC'ing. Especially with C2D's.

dell supports overclocks on some of their systems. thats one thing you cant get building yourself. a good warranty on a overclocked system.

* Intel® CoreTM 2 Extreme QX6700 Factory Overclocked to 3.2GHz
* Intel® CoreTM 2 Extreme X6800 Factory Overclocked to 3.46GHz

thats from the dell site.

 

[mushroom3]

if you want to upgrade the video card, then you also have to upgrade the PSU :
thats the thing that adds to the cost of buying a system, reasonable priced ones come with 300w

 

[zephyrprime]

Originally posted by: ADDAvenger
In the low end, OEMs are cheaper for ya, plus they have a warranty, but in the mid to high end, it's a lot cheaper to build it yourself.

 

[bamacre]

Originally posted by: JonnyBlaze

Originally posted by: bamacre

Originally posted by: SparkyJJO
Also, I'd like to see somebody overclock a Dell or HP effectively

That is the biggest drawback to using a Dell, no cpu OC'ing. Especially with C2D's.

dell supports overclocks on some of their systems. thats one thing you cant get building yourself. a good warranty on a overclocked system.

* Intel® CoreTM 2 Extreme QX6700 Factory Overclocked to 3.2GHz
* Intel® CoreTM 2 Extreme X6800 Factory Overclocked to 3.46GHz

thats from the dell site.

Yes, but those systems (xps 710) are never a good value.

 

[Roguestar]

Originally posted by: JEDI
btw- How well does WinXP do Dual core, or do i realy need Vista?

Naturally. It supports 1-2 CPUs with (IIRC) up to 32 cores. Not that you'll really ever need that on XP but there's nothing to install or configure, it's all handled natively and easily. Especially noticeably smooth when alt-tabbing out of games .