Is it still cheaper to build your own computer?

[KrillBee]

Back in the day building your own computer was the only way to go, is that still true?
Let's take the cost of the operating system and software out of the equation, and just talk about raw components.

Keep in mind the cost of repairs involved later on from buying a system that uses lower quality parts (ex: some Dell system) Whereas if you build your own system you can choose better parts.

I'm sure for high end systems you probably save a chunk of change, but for low end systems do you really save anything? At what point is your own no longer profitable?

 

[imported_goku]

Low end no, mid-high end, yes.

 

[tatteredpotato]

goku nailed it, although some of the mid range PC's you can buy are still fairly cheap.

They rip you off on the high end though.

 

[KrillBee]

Originally posted by: BlameCanada
goku nailed it, although some of the mid range PC's you can buy are still fairly cheap.

They rip you off on the high end though.

and when the OS is factored in, then pretty much you only save on the high end im betting, lol.

 

[Seekermeister]

I don't consider building a computer as a means of saving money, unless you build from scraps. Building is a method of knowing exactly what you got, and getting the most quality for the buck. So, in that light, I suppose that you are saving money. I remember a neighbor who had a Dell, and he knew nothing about computers...he just told them that he wanted the best that they had. Their best cost him about $6,000 and in terms of performance, my DIY could beat him hands down. I do not know how much money that I have in my rig, because I never wanted to know, but I can guarantee that it is not $6,000.

 

[imported_goku]

There are a few cases where building a low end machine is cheaper, if you need a system and you have a bunch of parts lying around that have no purpose otherwise and you can't sell, building a low end machine will be cheaper and you may end up with a higher end system than you anticipated or would normally have had. If you have the majority of the parts and all you need is a motherboard and CPU and your budget is $300, then you'd be better off than if you had nothing and you had a budget of $300.

 

[n7]

IMO, only for high end.

However, i don't build my own to save money anyway

 

[pkme2]

Looking at building a cheaper machine has its perks.

For the uninitiated, the low-end pre-built is always the best start. eMachines Desktop PC (T5048)
@ Circuit City for $399. For value, its hard to beat.

But, if one was to build any computer system, the enjoyment of the build would give that individual a sense of accomplishment at least. Any build with recommended components could be better than any low end, and certainly better than most pre-built mid-range computers. The amount of time involved varies but that's the comes with experience.

Building an high end computer takes a nominal amount of experience, but if one can follow listed instructions, it can be done as long as no complications arise. Hopefully that's why we have the AT forums to answer those questions, Good luck.

 

[OatMan]

If you already have all the software like windows. If you know what your doing and can afford (time effort) to deal with the hickups then you can absolutely save $$$ in the mid and high end. Not necessarily a whole lot, and probably not enough to offset the time spent, but deffinately will save you $$$. Especially when you look at bang and quality for the buck. The low end is kind of a wash. You might save a bit or spend a bit more or break even but not much either way IMO. The biggest factor is when you build it yourself you hand pick the parts and generally can have top quality components accross the board where you will usually get generic and sometimes lower quality crap in the mid and especially low end.

I can almost always save at least 20%-30% on virtually any dell PC. More if I go with used parts which, IF YOU KNOW WHAT YOUR DOING, is not really a drawback, but definately NOT a good idea for the inexperienced. This has not really changed much in the roughly ten years I've been building custom PCs.

The lowest end machines its really not a money saving venture, at best you get better quality for the $$$ which is still worth it if you can put the time and effort in.

If I didn't enjoy it and look at it as a hobby I would probably never build my own PC though, as you can really get a nice machine for a fair price easily enough these days.

For example I built a much better version of the top of the line XPS 700 for someone for exactly half the price with all new components. (to be fair I had all the software that I could throw in for free - I have tons of extra licenses for everything)

 

[hurtstotalktoyou]

It's almost always cheaper to build it yourself, provided you are capable of making wise parts decisions. There are a few exceptions, mostly in the sub-$500 price point, but even for budget builds a DIY rig is usually better bang for your buck.

A lot of folks will point to specific deals and exclaim "this can't be beat," but is that really true? Take that eMachines deal mentioned above, for instance. Pkme2 tells us it's $399, but that's not entirely accurate. You have to pay $449.99 plus tax out the door (about $482), then send in a $50 rebate form. Even if you get the rebate (and sometimes they'll refuse it), that's still $432, not $399. Can you get something like that for $432 if you build it yourself? Absolutely. In fact, you could probably get something a bit better, like an overclocked A64, Pentium D 805 or maybe even an X2.

Sometimes you'll run into deals which, on the surface, seem like they can't be beat no matter what individual components you can put together. But then you have to ask yourself: 1) What do I need? 2) Does the Dell/HP/eMachines/etc. satisfy my needs? 3) Can my needs be better satisfied through a DIY rig?

Case in point: I already have a copy of Windows XP. If I find an amazing deal that includes another copy of Windows XP, what use is that to me? Sure, maybe I can get $50 or so by selling my pre-existing copy on Ebay, but then I give up compatibility with later systems (you can't uninstall XP from a Dell PC and re-install it on another). Or maybe I don't mind used components, which can save me a great deal in the short run. Also, I need a TV-out port; yet big-name budget systems nearly always have integrated graphics. The list goes on.

In my opinion, the only common reasons to buy a big-name PC like Dell or HP are if you don't know your way around the inside of a desktop box, or find no enjoyment in building. If, however, you do understand and enjoy the process, then you should have the abilities to build what you need for less, and troubleshoot without phone support or major headaches.

 

[Pocatello]

I don't build my pc to save money either, it's more of a hobby than anything else.

 

[Evilhomer99]

I spent 1,400 building mine, and I cant get one from Dell, alienware, systemax or anbody for less than 2,500.

 

[Boyo]

It's more of a quality issue when you build your own. Yes, you may save more money just buying a Dell, but if you chose your parts wisely, you can get a bettter system and it won't cost much more than the Dell. Building your own system is really the best way to go. You are more involved and knowledgable about your system.

 

[Xvys]

I built my C2D system for $250. I used my old computer parts/case and just bought a AsRock 775i65G and E6300, reusing my old hd, ram, gpu, dvd rw, ect. Worked like a dream, even with the old XP loaded. I decided to sell my old system. So I bought a new case with a built-in 500w ps ($26) and a 250 gig hd ($90). I cloned the OP from my old 80 gig to the new 250 gig and put the old hd, an old cdrw and an old ATI 7500 I had kicking around in my old system case (p4 2.4/533) and sold it for $350 (Windows XP pre-installed!). So now I have a new Core 2 system essentially for free!! The guy who bought my old system was thrilled also. He just wanted to buy a working internet browser/e-mail system quickly with Windows already loaded.

 

[Lonyo]

Low end - yes. You can beat a cheap Dell (assuming you go for 1yr warranty), including OS (but not Office software - though a cheap Dell comes with Works, and you can get Open Office) in price, just about.
You can also beat mid range and high end configurations. This is before any deals, and based on UK prices though, so in the US it may be a little different, especially since there seem to be more deals on Dells for you guys.

 

[caberguy]

Xvys makes an important point. If you compare the price in the short run it might be close b/t buying and building. But in the long run I think it's cheaper to build, especially if you want to keep relatively up to date. I'm just putting the finishing touches on my new C2D system, but I've re-used a lot of stuff from my old Athlon system. Optical drives, SATA HD, PSU, Case, system fans, fan controllers, cables and the like. The biggest cost was switching formats b/t AGP/PCI-e and DDR/DDR2, and not every upgrade will require a change in platforms b/t w/ two relatively expensive components. But even with those upgrades I've got a much better system for the $600 or so that I've throw down on a new CPU, Mobo, Ram, VGA card and HSF than I would If I'd had to sell my old stuff and buy a whole new system... plus now I've got a my badass new system in my office, and a still very competent media system in the living room.

 

[Rockhound1]

Originally posted by: BlameCanada
goku nailed it, although some of the mid range PC's you can buy are still fairly cheap.

They rip you off on the high end though.

I would have to agree. I can build a better mid- to high-end system for less money than most of the retail companies (Dell, HP/Compaq, Acer, Sony, etc.).

 

[chizhz]

cheaper? probably not, unless you go really high end. but as far as i'm concerned the killer reason to build my own system is i get exactly what i want.

and i'll be the first to admit my demands are pretty twisted, can't get that type of config off the shelf.

 

[pkme2]

I've been building desktops for quite sometime now. My last two rigs would have easily cost $2800 apiece (retail). They cost me around $1650/$1750 apiece. Careful planning and buying made that possible.

If you're not particular, computer pulls from new machines can be great bargains.
When an opportunity arises and a new pull becomes availabe, practicality wins out. If the hardware does the job, get it. Who cares if its last year's model. The savings may be substantial.

There are many good examples of low priced systems available.
The eMachine T5048 or newer, mentioned above could be had at Costco. They were sold out last month but I'm certain they should be available for Xmas.

 

[crydee]

I'd say the quality of components you buy and all the after market stuff you are getting over a pre-built one is always more valuable then buying one.

 

[Googer]

Originally posted by: Seekermeister
I don't consider building a computer as a means of saving money, unless you build from scraps. Building is a method of knowing exactly what you got, and getting the most quality for the buck. So, in that light, I suppose that you are saving money. I remember a neighbor who had a Dell, and he knew nothing about computers...he just told them that he wanted the best that they had. Their best cost him about $6,000 and in terms of performance, my DIY could beat him hands down. I do not know how much money that I have in my rig, because I never wanted to know, but I can guarantee that it is not $6,000.

You will never be able to beat the service that one gets when they buy a pre-made system.

 

[hurtstotalktoyou]

That's true, but I would imagine most anyone capable of building their own system from scratch (IE, not adding to an already-built system) has no need for paid technical suport.

 

[Kalmah]

Just the price of Windows itself almost buys a low end dell, gateway, compaq... or whatever.

I pretty much agree with everybody else here.

If you happen to have a copy of windows you aren't using and some parts lieing around which requires you only to get a few things, this is probably the only reason to build it yourself if it's low end.

As for high-end, I want to know what I get. Advertisements for computers seem shady to me. The ghz of the processor and the amount of RAM in it mean nothing. (that's practically all that they tell you) And you cant ever do anything with the BIOS in a pre-built machine. Just ask somebody in Best Buy what chipset is in one the computers and all you're going to get is a puzzled face from him.

 

[Smartazz]

A few months ago I was in a situation when I would either buy an emachines, swap the psu and put in a video card like a friend of mine did, or just build from scratch. Since I wanted a dual core processor and a good video card I built my own. It was a fun experiance, but it got frusterating a few times, it took me only a day to do it too. I considered it a learning experiance because now I know a lot more about my computer. I've upgraded a few things and now it's a breeze.
edit: I just remembered the main reason I built my own machine. I wanted to be able to overclock.

 

[Smartazz]

Originally posted by: hurtstotalktoyou
That's true, but I would imagine most anyone capable of building their own system from scratch (IE, not adding to an already-built system) has no need for paid technical suport.

Just beat me too it. Any hardware related problems I can adress, but when it comes to software I barely know anything about it. I had a hard enough time trying to install an os.