Is it worth it to try to build your own pc?

[ElFenix]

i just got a compaq this morning at compusa for $200 AR. 1.8 ghz socket 939 sempron with 256k cache, ati rd480 chipset, a pcie x16 slot for upgrading, 80 gig drive, 256 ram, windows, etc. you can't build a computer for that much. especially not with windows. and someone other than me warrants it for a year.

 

[ShadowBlade]

Dell is best for that kind of thing, especially on a budget.

 

[Pythias]

I agree with what several people have said above, its going to cost a little more to DIY because of OS/peripheral costs.

That being said, ive noticed that memory upgrades carry a pretty steep premium with oems and you have to deal with all kinds pre-installed crapware.

price/performance my vote goes DIY.

Someone mentioned tech support. Maybe its just me, but regardless of which route I recommend to family and friends, I still get stuck with support.


In for a penny, in for a pound I suppose.

 

[hurtstotalktoyou]

Originally posted by: ElFenix
i just got a compaq this morning at compusa for $200 AR. 1.8 ghz socket 939 sempron with 256k cache, ati rd480 chipset, a pcie x16 slot for upgrading, 80 gig drive, 256 ram, windows, etc. you can't build a computer for that much. especially not with windows. and someone other than me warrants it for a year.

After rebate is key. It's about $385 beforehand--still a good deal, but not nearly as fast as what you could build for the same amount.

Anyway, there will always be exceptions, especially with rebates. However, you'll notice that was a two-day sale, hardly a deal you can find most of the time.

The cheapest piece of crap Dell system ships for no less than $398. Take a moment to swallow that.

 

[ElFenix]

Originally posted by: hurtstotalktoyou

Originally posted by: ElFenix
i just got a compaq this morning at compusa for $200 AR. 1.8 ghz socket 939 sempron with 256k cache, ati rd480 chipset, a pcie x16 slot for upgrading, 80 gig drive, 256 ram, windows, etc. you can't build a computer for that much. especially not with windows. and someone other than me warrants it for a year.

After rebate is key. It's about $385 beforehand--still a good deal, but not nearly as fast as what you could build for the same amount.

Anyway, there will always be exceptions, especially with rebates. However, you'll notice that was a two-day sale, hardly a deal you can find most of the time.

The cheapest piece of crap Dell system ships for no less than $398. Take a moment to swallow that.

build something INCLUDING WINDOWS for $385, using all new parts with at least 1 year warranties.

 

[rbV5]

I wouldn't even consider building a budget system for someone else. A Dell, HP or the like will be cheaper and come with support.

 

[zagood]

Originally posted by: ElFenix
build something INCLUDING WINDOWS for $385, using all new parts with at least 1 year warranties.

Interesting challenge. Not too interesting to spend TOO much time on it, but let's see...

"At fry's" are based on ads from OC register:
http://shopping.ocregister.com/ROP/ads.aspx?adid=2431532&advid=179018&type=

Apex case/300w PSU: $29.99
Sempron 2800 + ECS mobo from Fry's: $79.99
512mb OCZ 3200 from fry's: $32.99 A/R
Seagate 120gb IDE 7200: $29.99 A/R
Rosewill 200 RX20L Video Card: $20.99
XP Home: $93.95
BenQ CD/RW: $14.99
Keyboard and Mouse: $10
AOC 17" Monitor: $89

$401.89

More than adequate for email and surfing.

And I'm sure you could save $15 somewhere with a cpu/mobo combo with onboard video, a different monitor, and you can usually find XP home for $75 instead of $93.

-z

EDIT: Just so you know, for my non-techie friends I always suggest Dell or HP. Too much of a PITA 1) Waiting for everything to arrive 2) Assembly 3) Dealing with cheap parts lol...

 

[hurtstotalktoyou]

Originally posted by: ElFenix
build something INCLUDING WINDOWS for $385, using all new parts with at least 1 year warranties.

Warranties? I don't think so. If you want a warranty, go ahead and buy your Dell. But here's a great little system...

$90 Windows XP Home OEM
$69 Sempron 64 2600+ (overclocked to 2.3-2.5 GHz)
$67 Biostar GeForce 6100-M7
$48 40 GB hard disk
$40 DVD burner
$38 512 MB PC3200 DDR SDRAM
$27 case/PSU combo
$379 total

It's really not that difficult.

 

[ElFenix]

Originally posted by: hurtstotalktoyou

Originally posted by: ElFenix
build something INCLUDING WINDOWS for $385, using all new parts with at least 1 year warranties.

Warranties? I don't think so. If you want a warranty, go ahead and buy your Dell. But here's a great little system...

It's really not that difficult.

the warranty is essential. if there's no warranty then i'm the one that has to support it and i really don't like doing that for other people.

and of course, there's still $180 in rebates coming.

 

[ElFenix]

Originally posted by: zagood
AOC 17" Monitor: $89

$401.89

More than adequate for email and surfing.

And I'm sure you could save $15 somewhere with a cpu/mobo combo with onboard video, a different monitor, and you can usually find XP home for $75 instead of $93.

-z

EDIT: Just so you know, for my non-techie friends I always suggest Dell or HP. Too much of a PITA 1) Waiting for everything to arrive 2) Assembly 3) Dealing with cheap parts lol...

jebus, you included a monitor too :Q

 

[poisonthewell]

Originally posted by: hurtstotalktoyou

Originally posted by: ElFenix
build something INCLUDING WINDOWS for $385, using all new parts with at least 1 year warranties.

Warranties? I don't think so. If you want a warranty, go ahead and buy your Dell. But here's a great little system...

$90 Windows XP Home OEM
$69 Sempron 64 2600+ (overclocked to 2.3-2.5 GHz)
$67 Biostar GeForce 6100-M7
$48 40 GB hard disk
$40 DVD burner
$38 512 MB PC3200 DDR SDRAM
$27 case/PSU combo
$379 total

It's really not that difficult.

Those Semprons do overclock well but assuming you'll achieve a 40-50% overclock from that PSU is simply unrealistic.

 

[Blain]

Overclocking for anyone but yourself is a BAD IDEA, unless they sign off on it and accept any instability as part of the deal. :roll:

 

[dionx]

go with a dell because their computers run silently. can't say the same for most build-it-yourself computers.

 

[alimoalem]

i would say if it's $300 or less, go with the dell. if it's like $500 and up, probably the build-you-own-pc would be the cheaper route

 

[hurtstotalktoyou]

Originally posted by: poisonthewell

Those Semprons do overclock well but assuming you'll achieve a 40-50% overclock from that PSU is simply unrealistic.

It's a 350W PSU. I don't know the exact +12v amperage, but I assume it's decent. What's unrealistic is to assume you *won't* get a 40-50% overclock from a 90nm E6 chip running at 1.6 GHz. Heck, I got my own Sempron 2800+ to 2.4 GHz with a generic 200W PSU (10A +12v). I have since replaced it with an Antec 350W, but the fact remains it was running just fine with the weak generic.

 

[hurtstotalktoyou]

Originally posted by: alimoalem
i would say if it's $300 or less, go with the dell. if it's like $500 and up, probably the build-you-own-pc would be the cheaper route

Considering you can't get a Dell for less than $398, I'd say you don't have much of a choice with less than $300.

 

[zagood]

Originally posted by: dionx
go with a dell because their computers run silently. can't say the same for most build-it-yourself computers.

That's because most dells come with one exhaust fan that only runs when the CPU gets up to about 60c.

Personally, I like my celerons to run cooler :roll:

Okay, okay, had to. Yes, Dell is a good choice for someone who doesn't dig around in their machine upgrading to get just a little bit more performance.

That doesn't apply to most people on these forums.

For my wife, I upgraded her HP a230n so that it'll run the games she likes to play...sims2, The Movies, etc. Before she ever heard of these games though she was perfectly happy. New PSU, 6600GT, and 1gb ram and she's got a decent non-gamer gaming pc. Of course then I was annoyed at her stock HSFs making too much noise so I replaced her stock sockA and VGA coolers...next I'm going to mod a suspension for her HD so that I can place an intake fan on the front...

Which is why a mass produced machine should never be in the home of DIY'r

On the other hand, one of my best friends (complete non-techie) asked me advice on a new machine, and I picked out a custom dell for her.

Then she added all the stuff that I told her not to and got her rig up to about $900. I didn't freak, I just said "you'll be happy with your machine, and if anything goes wrong they've got great customer service."

She's very happy with how fast it burns CDs.

-z

 

[joker790]

It's not worth it if you want a cheap machine (can buy a box from dell for $300), however, if you want a high end machine, definitely worth it

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[zagood]

Originally posted by: joker790
It's not worth it if you want a cheap machine (can buy a box from dell for $300), however, if you want a high end machine, definitely worth it

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AYE!

-z

 

[hurtstotalktoyou]

Originally posted by: joker790
It's not worth it if you want a cheap machine (can buy a box from dell for $300), however, if you want a high end machine, definitely worth it

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Usually even then it's only a good idea if you add to it. In any case, the Outlet store isn't a great plafce for most.

 

[hans007]

with deals at $200-300 and such nowadays probably not.


i mean a $200 pc comes with licenses and tech support etc too.

 

[TanisHalfElven]

its more than worth building your own rig for budget. get a sempron, a cheap msi motherboard and 256 mb ram 40 gb hdd. i built the same computer a year ago and it has not failed me even once. moe it cost only about $300. if all you need if web borwising and email install a copy of ubuntu. free and more stable and secure than windows.

 

[imported_michaelpatrick33]

Also, keep an eye on the various brick and mortar stores for great deals.

I found a complete system at staples for 329.00 after rebates a few weeks ago. It wasn't part of after Thanksgiving but a regular weekly sale.
The specs were something like this:
Compaq machine
Sempron 3200+
ATI R200 (I think) PCI-ex motherboard (it had a 16X PCI-ex expansion slot! because I looked)
256 megs ram (probably 2700 though)
80 gig hard-drive (7200rpm)
17 inch CRT
DVD-rom/CDRW
Mouse/keyboard/speakers/ethernet/modem/front memory card slots and headphone slot etc.
Windows XP Home (and I believe Microsoft Works)

There are great packages that appear so don't rule out

 

[imported_koop]

Originally posted by: hurtstotalktoyou

Originally posted by: poisonthewell
I don't know the exact +12v amperage, but I assume it's decent.

Bad assumption. And while you have shown you get the parts for that cost, cost does not include time to assemble, configure, and test, and once again the support factor. Rolling your own budget box for someone that does not know how to support themselves is a time sink you will regret, as I have already.