• We’re currently investigating an issue related to the forum theme and styling that is impacting page layout and visual formatting. The problem has been identified, and we are actively working on a resolution. There is no impact to user data or functionality, this is strictly a front-end display issue. We’ll post an update once the fix has been deployed. Thanks for your patience while we get this sorted.

Is anyone else getting tired of building systems?

sygyzy

sygyzy

Lifer
I am using a Core 2 Duo E6400 on a Gigabyte P965 and I feel it's time to upgrade. However, there's really only one or two CPU's I could put into the platform and they are not huge differences in speed. I want Windows 7 and a SSD on there.

So I am pricing an upgrade and it looks like even if I go middle of the road it's an i5-750, Gigabyte P55A motherboard, 4 GB of ram. That's $200 + 150 + 100 = $450 just to upgrade. My graphics card is brand new so I am not worried about that (that was another $200). Hopefully I won't have to change my power supply because they came out with some new weird connector I need but don't have.

Then what do I do with my old parts? Move them to my older computer (that's not even plugged in) or upgrade my dad's Pentium 3. Then in a few years, 1156 and 1366's will be replaced with something else and they'll be obsolete and to upgrade just 3 components I'll spend another $500. All the while, I am using a nice Core 2 Duo 3Ghz Windows 7 Dell machine at work that runs perfectly and probably cost the company probably $400, for a complete system.

Sure I can't game with it but I also don't game most of the time on my PC anyway.

I feel guilty throwing anything away and if a computer is more than 2-3 years old, most charities or people don't even want it. I wish I could just magically make everything disappear and I could start over and just get an all-in-one like an HP touchscreen or Dell and be done with it.

Has anyone else given up on building "custom rigs" and gone this route?
 
Depends, if you still game on the PC, building systems is pretty important. If it doesn't interest you anymore, then you're right, a pre-built is probably the way to go.

Besides, most people have too powerful of a system for what they use it for.
 
Was forced to with buying a laptop a few years ago. Its very nice being able to call up Dell and say, "come and fix this". Don't have to track down serial numbers, manufacturers of components, or spare parts.

On the other hand, I certainly don't like the idea of being at the mercy of a particular vendor for spare parts or replacements. My Dell laptops have been fabulous (Latitude D630 and Latitude D830, without the notorious Nvidia video bug!) -- but if they were to have problems, I'd certainly like to have the ability to use another manufacturers' replacement parts instead of replacing with identical units. For instance, on the Dells, the keyboards aren't great.

You have trouble getting rid of hardware 2-3 years old?? Most of my extended family just eats that stuff up. Heck, half the time, they pay me for my old stuff! Don't underestimate the value of selling your stuff to relatives who don't necessarily want to make a major upgrade -- but don't really know how to do minor upgrades themselves!
 
You sure you don't 'feel' like you have to upgrade just because everyone else is doing it? I mean you hang out at tech forums and read up on tech you're bound to get that 'keeping up with the Jones's' mentality.

I know I sure used to fall into that trap. It's kind of funny, I could spend $900 on upgrades and the results aren't much better then the P4's I work on for a non-profit when it comes to web browsing and office suites.
 
I enjoy the process, and will even pay a small premium to build myself. I like my machine being exactly what I want, not just close to what I want.
 
I enjoy building, but I hate the fact that everything comes from China, and there's a huge chance that at least one item is DOA when you order 10 things at a time. Maybe I just have bad luck.

I've had a few times where everything worked, and it's great to have a fully working, brand new PC after putting it all together. There is a sense of satisfaction to it. I recently built my parent's PC and it was like this. Within an hour of unboxing everything I was installing windows XP on a brand new, very fast machine. It's been running super smooth for them too and they're happy with it.

My last build for me was my server. Next build will probably be my workstation. I only have a dual core, I'm falling behind. 😛
 
My first build since High School, maybe 8 years ago:

img0645n.jpg


Would not build unless you are out of college, since a desktop is not conducive to moving around.
 
sygyzy said:
I am using a Core 2 Duo E6400 on a Gigabyte P965 and I feel it's time to upgrade. However, there's really only one or two CPU's I could put into the platform and they are not huge differences in speed. I want Windows 7 and a SSD on there.

All the while, I am using a nice Core 2 Duo 3Ghz Windows 7 Dell machine at work that runs perfectly and probably cost the company probably $400, for a complete system.
Click to expand...

You want Win7 and an SSD. Why are you pricing out new CPU/MB combos? Get an SSD and Windows 7. Dells aren't anything magical, they're just computers, and there's nothing wrong with your E6400, so I don't see why you're fretting. Hell, overclock your E6400 to 3GHz and it's the same thing as the Dell!
 
My old parts usually get sold to friends, family, co-workers, etc. as upgrades or replacements. I have even assembled rigs from parts laying around and given them as Xmas presents (grandkids all have consoles for games, so PC requirements are generally light.

I upgrade when I see a benefit to it, or occasionally when I think my current parts are about to loose value quickly (intro of USB 2.0, DDR2, sata drives, multi-core cpus, etc.).

I imagine I will always upgrade.
 
Definitely not.

I don't enjoy having to resell the old stuff as much though; that's the part i dislike the most.
 
Nah I like building and rebuilding. Even tearing computers apart to troubleshoot them and put them back together is fun (in a sad way).
 
I like physically putting machines together, but I'm tired of having to install shit after you build a rig. Installing windows, installing drivers, installing games, software, etc.

What a pain in the ass.
 
Researching products, purchasing them and dealing with DOAs is the biggest headache but once everything is together and working it beats buying a Dell, Apple or some similar over priced, underpowered boring turd.
 
HannibalX said:
Researching products, purchasing them and dealing with DOAs is the biggest headache but once everything is together and working it beats buying a Dell, Apple or some similar over priced, underpowered boring turd.
Click to expand...

The research is almost as fun for me as the building 🙂

Not to mention tracking down the best price on any given item (Last build I had parts coming from 4 different vendors). Problem solving aspect is satisfying for me.
 
Sometimes, yes.

But then I open up someone else's Dell / HP / etc. and remember exactly why I built mine myself. I take pride in my computer (sort of like showing off an expensive car, I guess), and I do my best to make it look good. The generic-looking Dells and whatnot just look and feel cheap. Not to mention, if a component goes, you may find yourself upgrading multiple things just for compatibility. I don't know if they still do it, but Dell used to use a proprietary power supply (connectors), motherboard (power connectors / daughter board), and case. If the motherboard went and it was out of warranty, you had to buy all three.
 
Seems like I only build a system about every 5 years. So, no. 🙂
 
HannibalX said:
Researching products, purchasing them and dealing with DOAs is the biggest headache but once everything is together and working it beats buying a Dell, Apple or some similar over priced, underpowered boring turd.
Click to expand...

Oh, I wouldn't go that far. 😀
 
sygyzy said:
I am using a Core 2 Duo E6400 on a Gigabyte P965 and I feel it's time to upgrade. However, there's really only one or two CPU's I could put into the platform and they are not huge differences in speed. I want Windows 7 and a SSD on there.

So I am pricing an upgrade and it looks like even if I go middle of the road it's an i5-750, Gigabyte P55A motherboard, 4 GB of ram. That's $200 + 150 + 100 = $450 just to upgrade. My graphics card is brand new so I am not worried about that (that was another $200). Hopefully I won't have to change my power supply because they came out with some new weird connector I need but don't have.

Then what do I do with my old parts? Move them to my older computer (that's not even plugged in) or upgrade my dad's Pentium 3. Then in a few years, 1156 and 1366's will be replaced with something else and they'll be obsolete and to upgrade just 3 components I'll spend another $500. All the while, I am using a nice Core 2 Duo 3Ghz Windows 7 Dell machine at work that runs perfectly and probably cost the company probably $400, for a complete system.

Sure I can't game with it but I also don't game most of the time on my PC anyway.

I feel guilty throwing anything away and if a computer is more than 2-3 years old, most charities or people don't even want it. I wish I could just magically make everything disappear and I could start over and just get an all-in-one like an HP touchscreen or Dell and be done with it.

Has anyone else given up on building "custom rigs" and gone this route?
Click to expand...

Sell it. I'll take that combo off your hands for 50 bucks shipped. Also, you can upgrade for far cheaper with AMD.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.357712
+
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...103704&cm_re=athlon_x4-_-19-103-704-_-Product

Equals upgrade for 230 bucks.
http://detonator.dynamitedata.com/c...t/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.357664
 
Last edited:
Raduque said:
I like physically putting machines together, but I'm tired of having to install shit after you build a rig. Installing windows, installing drivers, installing games, software, etc.

What a pain in the ass.
Click to expand...

Agree 100%. I just built my new system a couple days ago and still getting things tweaked.
 
I hate the install part too. That's why I actually enjoy servers better. Install Linux, install a few server apps, configure, done. No drivers, no anti virus software, no email. BAH, I hate configuring email, especially when it's not my own (mine is easy, I use imap), need to link address books, PSTs and crap like that, restore from previous backups etc... just a pain.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

TRENDING THREADS

Back
Top