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How many people here actually build their computers?

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Originally posted by: shilala
With all the talk about buying Dells, I wondered how many of us here actually build thier own computers.
If you can, or regularly do build computers, but bought off-the-shelf for some reason, I suppose that qualifies as a yes.
Click to expand...

Have you seen some of the Dell deals? You can get a computer with warranty built for half of what it would cost you sometimes.

Also.... I used to build computers for friends and family.... because I could save them a ton of money over buying them from Dell companies... not any more... All of my family will have a Dell when they upgrade next because its not worth me building it for them.



Edit: oh the other thing was Os and monitors.... it was almost always impossible to match the prices of dell computers when they give you the os and monitors and printers for almost free.
 
Specifically, in terms of matching Dell.

Dimension 2400
Celly 2.4
256mb PC3200
80gb HDD
17" POS CRT
48x CDROM
Sh!tty speakers
90day warranty
XP Home
$299 on sale, $340 not.

My setup:
Component warranties (all >90days)
BIOSTAR M7VIG400-COMBO (Includes Sempron 2200, which annhilates a Celeron 2.4)
Chassis w/ cheapie 350w PSU (more than sufficient for this kind of rig, probably more reliable than Dell's PSU anyway)
XP Home
256mb cheap PC3200
Cheap CDROM
Cheap speakers
Cheap 17" CRT
Cheap keyboard, cheap mouse

- $390 from Newegg. Hit a hot deal on the HDD and monitor, and you're set.
 
Originally posted by: BigJ
Originally posted by: EyeMWing
Originally posted by: NeuroSynapsis
I built most of mine...but...

there is NO beating dell in price. the cost of a legit copy of winXP alone makes any custom computer more expensive than a dell
Click to expand...

Negative ghostrider. I can match.
Click to expand...

I call BS. On average you can match or beat their normal prices, but when Dell runs specials (which is usually at least once a month), it is impossible to beat those prices.
Click to expand...

See above. If Dell is going to run sales, I should be allowed to include hot deals, so I hit it, and I hit it HARD.
 
Originally posted by: jndietz
Originally posted by: ghostman
Also, I've never been able to accomplish a silent custom PC. Back in college, we had a room with 15 Dells that was dead silent. We had another room with about 15 customs that was noisy no matter how much extra cash we spent on getting quieter fans and power supplies.
Click to expand...

fifteen customs :roll: i don't believe that :roll:
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My apartment had 11 customs in it, 4 guys, 9 of them were mine, i think it was 15 computers total (but some were gateway/hp)
 
Originally posted by: EyeMWing
Originally posted by: BigJ
Originally posted by: EyeMWing
Originally posted by: NeuroSynapsis
I built most of mine...but...

there is NO beating dell in price. the cost of a legit copy of winXP alone makes any custom computer more expensive than a dell
Click to expand...

Negative ghostrider. I can match.
Click to expand...

I call BS. On average you can match or beat their normal prices, but when Dell runs specials (which is usually at least once a month), it is impossible to beat those prices.
Click to expand...

See above. If Dell is going to run sales, I should be allowed to include hot deals, so I hit it, and I hit it HARD.
Click to expand...

If you're talking about extreme hot deals, then you can't even touch Dell at all. Search Hot Deals for some of the insane deals they've had in the past.
 
The current system i have i built myself, but its outdated and i need a new one.
I dont know if i should buy something like a dell machine or make my own since making my own updated system would probably cost more.
 
My most recent computer is a Dell. I found a really good deal on their outlet website that I simply could not beat if I tried to buy everything separately and build it.

That didn't even include the price of the OS or all the software they include either, although I will probably never use any of the software that came with it.
 
Originally posted by: BigJ
Originally posted by: EyeMWing
Originally posted by: BigJ
Originally posted by: EyeMWing
Originally posted by: NeuroSynapsis
I built most of mine...but...

there is NO beating dell in price. the cost of a legit copy of winXP alone makes any custom computer more expensive than a dell
Click to expand...

Negative ghostrider. I can match.
Click to expand...

I call BS. On average you can match or beat their normal prices, but when Dell runs specials (which is usually at least once a month), it is impossible to beat those prices.
Click to expand...

See above. If Dell is going to run sales, I should be allowed to include hot deals, so I hit it, and I hit it HARD.
Click to expand...

If you're talking about extreme hot deals, then you can't even touch Dell at all. Search Hot Deals for some of the insane deals they've had in the past.
Click to expand...

Meh, I'm unconcerned about their "deal power", I'm only concerned with beating their REGULAR prices.
 
Originally posted by: EyeMWing

Meh, I'm unconcerned about their "deal power", I'm only concerned with beating their REGULAR prices.
Click to expand...

Then why even get into the discussion in the first place? Obviously you knew what we meant when referring to Dell being unbeatable.
 
Originally posted by: shilala
With all the talk about buying Dells, I wondered how many of us here actually build thier own computers.
If you can, or regularly do build computers, but bought off-the-shelf for some reason, I suppose that qualifies as a yes.
Click to expand...

premade computers are the biggest waste of cash ever...

hell no... not just NO but hell fvck no...
 
Originally posted by: meltdown75
i would never let anyone build one of my systems. too much fun.
Click to expand...

For me, it became the opposite. When I first got into building computer, upgraded were very common. OC this & that. Now, stability is much more important to me.
I didn't buy any pre-build computers for a few years now, but I did upgrade the box with new MB, cpu, ram, video card & psu about 2 years ago. What a bothersome experience.
 
Originally posted by: BigJ
Originally posted by: EyeMWing

Meh, I'm unconcerned about their "deal power", I'm only concerned with beating their REGULAR prices.
Click to expand...

Then why even get into the discussion in the first place? Obviously you knew what we meant when referring to Dell being unbeatable.
Click to expand...

If you're willing to take sub-par equipment in exchange for an unbeatable deal, go for it.

Oh, wait, nevermind, Dell *IS* par these days due to their rediculous market share.
 
Well, I'm one of the ones who posted about my new Dell last night.
I built my last PC (Abit KR7A / XP1700 / GF3Ti200).
I would have preferred to build again, but bought a Dell instead for several reasons:
1. Price couldn't be beat by buying my own components.
2. No worries about having to replace PSU's or other parts that may die in the next 3 years.
3. Price
4. Not enough cash on hand and a Dell account with 0% interest.
5. Did I mention price?

Dimension 8400
XP Home
P4 3.0
GF 6800
1GB PC3200
80GB HDD
DVD-ROM
DVD +- RW
19" flat CRT
3 years at-home service
$980

I'm currently having issues getting MOH: Pacific Assault to run, but from what I've read so far, lots of people have issues with this game, so I won't blame the PC yet. I'll reserve judgement for awhile on whether I made the right decision or not.
 
I own one dell server that came preassembled (the deal was too good to pass up)
I own 1 sony laptop that came preassembled (bought used)
I own 2 x boxes that I assembled

My grandmother has 1 box that I assembled
My mother has 1 box that I assembled
My brother has 1 box that I assembled
My cousin has 1 box that I assembled
My father has 2 box that I assembled (one is really aged)
4 of my friends each have 1 box that I assembled

That being said, I no longer build PCs for other people, unless i'm just giving away old parts as free upgrades .
 
Ever since I knew how to build computers I've always gone the custom-built way. I used to get personal satisfaction out of it, but now it's more of a flexibility thing for me as I get to pick and choose exactly what I want up to the tiniest little detail. Recenlty, however, I sold my desktop and bought a Dell Inspiron 9300. Haven't looked back since, though I do get urges now and then to build a monster custom rig.
 
Originally posted by: EyeMWing
Meh, I'm unconcerned about their "deal power", I'm only concerned with beating their REGULAR prices.
Click to expand...
WTF are you talking about? If that's the case and you want to make a fair comparison, then I expect you to use the actual MSRP for every component you select when making the comparison. Regular prices at Dell are irrelevant because I don't think they've ever sold a system at regular price. There is ALWAYS a sale going on at Dell. Whether it's the normal 20% off or $200 off that they have practically EVERY day, or whether it's the 50% off that they occasionally have, regular prices are nothing more than a marketing tactic.

You even proved the point in your other post where you compared a dell deal to what you could build. Your example was 25% more expensive. And Dell CRT's are much better than whatever crappy CRT you used for comparison.

Originally posted by: EyeMWing
If you're willing to take sub-par equipment in exchange for an unbeatable deal, go for it.

Oh, wait, nevermind, Dell *IS* par these days due to their rediculous market share.
Click to expand...
What exactly is the subpar equipment you are talking about? It's not like Dell makes their own video cards or memory or cpus or hard drives or DVD drives.
 
I used to build my computers and I'm still using my last custom built one. However, I upgraded my parents computer to a dimension 8400 (there was an awesome deal in their outlet)...

The next computer purchase I make will definitely be a dell, this 8400 is near silent, it's amazing. Yet, I'm not a gamer or hardcore user anymore, so there's really not much point to custom building in my case.
 
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