Need a new computer: build or buy pre-built?

[Raspewtin]

I need advice from you gurus. I haven't put a computer together from the ground up in a long time and I need another complete system. I was thinking about AMD since it's so cheap. Is it still cheaper to buy a prebuilt than build it yourself? Also, what's the deal with DDR RAM - should I wait to buy a system that has this? Also is there any reason that a larger Intel investment is worthwile (for similar performace)? Finally, where's a good place to buy an AMD system besides Gateway? Sorry for the newbieness of my questions, and I really appreciate you reading this all and giving me a bit of your wisdom.

 

[toph99]

the only place i'd ever buy a pre-build is from Dell, even if they don't use AMD. i think it's a bit cheaper to buy OEM pre-built, but then you never get exactly what you want. you may wanna take a crack at building it yourself, as it isn't too hard, and this is the best place to get any help if you're looking for very high performance, then wait til the DDR boards for the Athlons come out(no idea when though, sorry) but if you don't want to pay the premium, you may think about just getting regular SDRAM. and no, don't go Intel with a P4. if you buy one now, you're dead in the water for a future upgrade(in about 4 months they're phasing out the socket the P4's are on right now, so it's pretty much useless)

 

[Raspewtin]

Thanks for info. I don't buy computers often so I want pretty high performance initially. Maybe I'll wait for DDR SDRAM

 

[pac1085]

I would wait for DDR if I were you. Its gonna be FAST.

 

[Tsaico]

It has been my experience that building the system myself is MUCH cheaper for the mid to high end stuff. The cheapos that are sub $800 are probably about the same as if you were to build it, plus it would have some sort of software/os that you wouldn't have to buy. So generally, the higher performance comp you want, the cheap it will be to buid it yourself.

 

[Unsickle]

Forget DDR. Build now.

The Socket A market and products are mature and well tested. The MSI K7t-Pro2A is one helluva mainboard for $120. Thunderbird 1GHZ just dropped to below $200.

NOW is the time to buy.

 

[nickburns]

i agree we Unsickle, build now while stuff is cheap and matured, but not too out of date.

 

[JimmyJoe]

I third build now. Prices are great and the current AMD products have had enough time to mature. Both CPU and RAM prices are excellent. Wait for DDR if you want bleeding edge, and are willing to work with problems to get it.

 

[Kingofcomputer]

I double second build.
You control what you want for each component.

 

[Supradude]

if you can do it, building is the way to go, and if you never try, you'll never know for the second time = )

 

[goofy2000]

I would wait for the MOBO with 133MHz FSB support..

 

[g4graham]

I like to build. I've built all of my own since my first, AST 486/66 died of unfixable dll file failure. Building allows you to really get the system you want, not what is being offered by the vendor. You may run into minor problems but it is worth it. This is the place to turn to with any problems you run into. They've helped me out.
If you decide to buy, be careful of Gateway, looked into their systems for a friend that was dead set on Gateway, upgrade options were too expensive compared to just buying the parts yourself and installing them.

 

[GuruMogens]

I wouldn't wait for any hardware. If you wait for the DDR, you maybe wanna wait for a supreme motherboard, there not yet have been maunfactured. If you decide to build your computer youselft, buy the hardware now. Otherwise you can wait to you die.

 

[timco]

If you want convenience, buy a computer. If you want to have fun, build one. It's like a giant Lego set or jigsaw. And, as other posters have said, you can control exactly what goes in there. You don't have to put up with others' ideas of what should be in a computer. Go for it...

 

[Raspewtin]

thanks a lot everyone. I got more help then I ever expected. I'm definitely going to build it myself.