Home-Built over something like Dell

[imported_DoctaBu]

I've been working with computers and building them for about three or four years now. I've built machines for myself and family. A friend of mine's little brother is really interested in getting a computer, and when I told him I could build one for him, he got really excited.

However, his parents are skeptical, which I definitely agree with. A big question they had was "why would this computer (that I build) be better than something built by someone like Dell or some bigger corporation?" Which, of course, was a good question, and hard to respond to.

In addition to this, to possibly back it up, I wondered about warranties. What kinds of warranties come with hardware nowadays? Can something break in this computer I build, and I could go and return it? I personally haven't had a problem yet with any of my other machines, so I wouldn't know too well.

I was thinking possibly the whole "good business" aspect. I'm a small business (hah! business?), so why not support me instead of Dell?

Well, I think you guys would know the best. You're probably the best equipped to know.

Thanks a lot you smart people, you!

Bu

 

[Sonic587]

Originally posted by: DoctaBu
However, his parents are skeptical, which I definitely agree with. A big question they had was "why would this computer (that I build) be better than something built by someone like Dell or some bigger corporation?" Which, of course, was a good question, and hard to respond to.

His parents are foolish to think Dell could make a PC better than the average comp builder. However, it depends on what he will want to do with this PC. If he is just web surfing, it may be better to just go with a dell. If he will be doing any gaming, or encoding, building is the way to go. What will he be doing and what specs are you looking at?

As for warranties, watch what you buy. A lot of companies will give you 3 year warranties on their retail products. Western digital, AMD, some Mobo manufacturers offer them for instance. If you buy from good companies, you won't have to worry about something breaking for a long time.

 

[imported_DoctaBu]

Very cool. Thanks for the quick info.

As far as what he's looking at, he wants to "play MMORPGs." I personally think that means a good amount of ram (512) and a decent video card (not the best, not the worst... maybe a 9600 XT?)

...by the way, this is what I was prepared to say in response to "why not Dell:"

"This is a very good question. I would say, if you can get an AWESOME deal on a dell, I'd do it. However, the thing is, they don't use the best of parts. See, they are able to buy cheaper parts for... well... less money. I've personally worked with a few dells- they run alright, but it's nothing great. The big thing they're known for is their great technical support. However, as I have looked for a computer myself from them (a laptop- can't build those!), I also have seen what they charge. For a 3-year warranty, meaning they will replace pretty much anything, they charge 450 or so dollars. That's a good amount of money. The thing is- are you really thinking that your computer will do that badly? Through Dell, there is no way you can just "pay for what happens if it happens." Say a part breaks and you are not under their warranty. They're going to charge you excruciating amounts of money to send someone over there to replace one thing. Meanwhile, if some guy like me were to do it, I'd go out, get the part, put it in, and charge you the price of the part."

I haven't sent this yet, so editing is possible.

 

[Sonic587]

What is his budget?

 

[Cawchy87]

I was in a simmaller delema with a friend until dell had a "good deal" on for a crappy computer for 1700 bucks and they jumped on it. He got an intel corp mobo and an fx5200 64bit... (END RANT)

1. Tell them that you will be using quality parts throughout the computer rather than trying to use the cheapest stuff stamping 4 letters on it and marking it up. ie. brand name mobo, psu etc.

2. Tell them that Dell tech support is useless (ran out of india so you can't understand them) and they take up a lot of time. (not worth spending extra money for.)

3. If worst comes to worst you have to rma a product. Explain to them that you will be getting back a new part rather than a refurbished one from dell (i am on my 4th refurbished monitor and it keeps flickering on and off.)

4. At absalute worst case senario you are past the warentee date and you will have to spend some of the money you saved by building your own computer on new parts that will last a long time.

5. You leave yourself room to upgrade and overclock, where as dell you kinda have to take the mac route of upgrading... toss it and buy a new one. And dell locks it's bios so you cannot overclock the cpu at all, put in a new mobo without a new case/psu or do anything which will void your warrentee.

If those ovious reasons don't convince them tell them that you simply know more about computers than them and they should trust you on this one.

EDIT: 6. You will be building this yourself for a friend thus taking good care while you are putting it together rather than slapping parts together using a machine or as fast as possible.

 

[imported_DoctaBu]

His budget is about $1000, Sonic, but he wants to leave some to help pay for a new broadband line they want to get. I'm not really sure about that. I'd say $1000.

I'm not sure about the whole overclocking thing. I never have done it, and I don't really want to do it, especially on a computer that they want to last for a long time.... but all of your other points are wonderful. Thanks a lot.

 

[Cawchy87]

Well, once the computer is on its last leg you can give it some more life with the overclock. The upgrading part is huge.

 

[imported_DoctaBu]

That is definitely one thing I completely forgot, and I agree with you wholeheartedly. Thanks Cawchy.

 

[Sonic587]

I'll try and throw a rig together @newegg taking in mind he wants warrenties and such...

 

[imported_DoctaBu]

T'would be great. I'm not sure about buying it from Newegg though... my local comp company, Milwaukee PC, has an outlet store right near my house, and I know the guy working there. He most likely will let me get some good prices on stuff, and possibly add some extra return time in case anything is bunk.

 

[Cawchy87]

just make sure to get retail everything then

4. At absalute worst case senario you are past the warentee date and you will have to spend some of the money you saved by building your own computer on new parts that will last another 3+ years under warrentee

 

[zainali]

get him a dell. you dont want him coming over to your house if something goes wrong.

IMO Home Built is better as long as you are doing it for yourself. If I build something for my bro and it messes up, its a big problem cause me bro lives 100 miles away from me.

 

[Cawchy87]

lol, when i was trying to convince my friend let me build him a comp i offered him my dell service key thing that had 2 years on it if he ever wanted "Tech support". and zainali most of the time my problems haven't been solved by dell and if they have it took 2-3 hours

 

[imported_DoctaBu]

The friend of mine lives 5 blocks away, and this is stuff I like to do. I definitely think I'm going to build him one if his parents are up to it... it also gives me quite the sense of accomplishment.

 

[Sonic587]

-AMD Athlon64 2800+
-MSI K8N Neo Platinum
-Mushkin DDR PC3200 512MB
-BBA Radeon 9800 PRO
-Sound Blaster Audigy 2 PCI
-Antec "True" 480 watt PSU
-WD 8MB 120gig HDD
-NEC Dual layer burner

All of this has 3 year warranties except for a few things...

-Mushkin RAM has a lifetime warranty....nuff said.
-Sound card is OEM only. I don't know if it has any warranty. Chances of this thing breaking are slim to nill, though.
-NEC burner only has warranty through the reseller.


All of this comes to $928 SHIPPED to me. Keep in mind you'll need to throw in a case. An extra $30-50 there. You can downgrade on the burner/HDD/Soundcard/videocard to keep costs low.

EDIT: If you get an Antec case, you'll be able to get the case/380watt PSU for under 70 or so. That might be a better idea for cost saving. However, 480watts is just for future proofing and so he can get whatever case he likes.

 

[imported_DoctaBu]

Wow. Amazing. I definitely never knew you could get that for that price, eventhough I've looked all around...

Thanks so much!! This'll go across well I think.

 

[Sonic587]

Cheapest I could configure @ Dell was $1,400 and came with an utter shite X300SE

 

[RockGuitarDude]

Originally posted by: zainali
get him a dell. you dont want him coming over to your house if something goes wrong.

IMO Home Built is better as long as you are doing it for yourself. If I build something for my bro and it messes up, its a big problem cause me bro lives 100 miles away from me.

God... I wish I did that... I always extend myself for stuff like this. People abuse you... ESPECIALLY AT COLLEGES WHEN THEY DONT HAVE THEIR AIM FOR 15 MIN.... ARHHHHH...

Sorry bout that... letting off steam ... 19 credits plus pushy non thankful people making me run around the dorm fixing computers (for free)..

Seriously.. get the dell and save the headache...

 

[Sonic587]

These guys do have a point. People will scream bloody murder at you because they might think they wouldn't be having the same problem with a Dell....not fun. They don't realize they'd have to talk to Mohishii in beautiful Bangladesh to fix their AIM.

 

[Blain]

The problem I see, is IF something goes wrong with your build (parts or conflict), they will never let you live it down.

* How savy is your friend's little brother?
* Will he download every virus he can get his hands on and screw up the rig, etc?

To be honest, this is exactly the type of situation where I would avoid building. I would tell them to go with Dell and be done with the whole issue.
Save yourself mucho frustration and time... send them to Dell.

 

[otispunkmeyer]

dunno what id rather have tho....the guilt of sending them to dell where they will be charged more for less of a computer, (ddont think i could live knowing that they'd jus been cheated) or being branded a tw@t for building a computer that had a few hiccups

 

[0roo0roo]

home built = u choose parts, u choose the best parts u want. the parts are easily upgradable. whereas dell parts are sometimes nonstandard. you can do a lot of custimization. after u build several computers or go through upgrades, u can depend on certain old parts to last through several pc's sometimes.

that being said. building a pc for somenoe is a pain. u become tech support. u lose hours of ur life. esp if that person is not computer literate. and theres always the potential hardware failure that will waste more of your time. this stuff can be shoved off on dell. if he's a gamer and wants to learn.. then i guess u could help him. building pcs is only for siblings and close fiends/family, otherwise its better to shove people off to dell and their indian tech support.

 

[otispunkmeyer]

put it this way...when it goes wrong, they will phone dell, but eventually they'll come running to u for answers anyway

 

[nick1985]

vid card $387

Case $99

CD Burner $28

Hard Drive $93.49

RAM *2 = $158

Motherboard $69

CPU $179

TOTAL: $1015.49

 

[JBT]

Did I read in your original post about Dell having great technical support??? did you hear that from someone five years ago? If so it WAS true then not NOW. Unless you think great tech support is some foreigner reading a checklist and then having no idea beyond what is on that check list... Today's Dells support sucks IMO.