Proprietary Computer (name brand) vs. Custom Built.

[bluedeviltron]

I have a situation here. I'm looking for a new fast PC (over 3 ghz processor, 1 GB ram, good video card, etc...). But I don't know whether to get a proprietary name brand computer for cheap, or get a custum built computer that I can easily upgrade later for more money. Is it worth it to get a proprietary computer (HP, eMachines, Gateway, etc...)? Does it void the warranty when you upgrade it? Are they even upgradeable at all?

Here's a custom built PC I'm thinking about getting. It doesn't come with a monitor, it only comes with 512 MB ram and an x300 video card:

http://shop1.outpost.com/product/4413576?site=sr:SEARCH:MAIN_RSLT_PG


Here's a name brand computer I'm thinking about getting. It comes with a monitor, 1 GB ram, but no video card that I can tell. ( i also can't figure out if it has AGP/PCIe slots or not). See, this is a LOT cheaper:

http://www.samsclub.com/eclub/main_shop...589:-43881:-43904:-43906:-43910:922305


So what do you guys think I should do? I really don't want to spend $1500+ on a computer...

 

[bluestrobe]

The sams club PC probably has an intregrated video card.

 

[bluedeviltron]

So would that mean I wouldn't be able to upgrade the video card later on?

 

[bluestrobe]

It probably has an AGP slot. Usually inserting a card into the AGP slot will disable the onboard video.

 

[Gurck]

For "email & web" computers (ie. bare minimum) it's often cheapest to go with Dell. When you get into gaming-capable PCs it becomes far less expensive to build it yourself, especially if considering a Ripoffware PC.

 

[FlyingPenguin]

It's always cheaper to build your own, but it's your call wether saving a couple of hundred bucks is worth the aggravation. The Dell Dimension 8400 makes a very nice gaming system. It's the same computer as the Dell Dimension XPS gaming system with a slightly smaller PSU and without the fancy case.

Check gotapex.com for the occasional Dell sale and discount coupons and you could get a nice deal.

 

[knothead34]

of the name brand computers i like dell. if i were you and you dont mind researching a little i would pick the hardware out.

 

[The Pentium Guy]

Originally posted by: bluestrobe
It probably has an AGP slot. Usually inserting a card into the AGP slot will disable the onboard video.

Lots of name brand PCs dont actually have those. Be sure you research on computers that have those before buying.

 

[The Pentium Guy]

Sams club PC:
http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/genericDocument?lc=en&cc=us&docname=c00316663
No PCI-e Slot. No AGP slot. You mentioned on a different thread that you wanted to play Half Life 2 and Far Cry. No way jose .

 

[0roo0roo]

only if you intend to upgrade it yourself before it becomes obsolete

 

[KoolDrew]

Originally posted by: Gurck
For "email & web" computers (ie. bare minimum) it's often cheapest to go with Dell. When you get into gaming-capable PCs it becomes far less expensive to build it yourself, especially if considering a Ripoffware PC.

 

[P0ldy]

You don't have to spend 1500 at all. You can spend under 1000 and still get a better computer than you'd find in any store.

Start reading AT's price guides, pick out your gfx card, RAM is DIRT cheap right now (a gig of DDR400 for under 90 shipped)...

A strong advantage is knowing every part that's in your computer. If something goes wrong, it's much easier to troubleshoot yourself than having to send the entire computer away for a few weeks (or months if you buy it at BB or CC).

It depends on what you're going to do with it, though. Like someone said, if email and internet are your only functions, buy a Dell or eMachine and save your time. If you do anything more intensive, do it yourself.

 

[bluedeviltron]

I'm going to be doing a lot of video editing and multimedia stuff with it, so I need a pretty damn fast computer. And I would like to get a little gaming in there D) if I can.

So I guess the best thing to do would be to build one myself. I would love you guys forever if one of you could give me a list of parts to build a good PC for under $1000. My problem is not so much the building of the PC, but finding the right/compatible parts. If possible, I'd like to be able to get parts from stores (Frys, Circuit City, Compusa, Best Buy) rather than from online. I don't care if I have to pay a little more, but I just need to keep it in the $1000 range.

 

[ShadowBlade]

i was in best buy the other day and the most recent video card they had was the radeon 9200
ive heard fry's is good

 

[Gurck]

Originally posted by: bluedeviltron
I'm going to be doing a lot of video editing and multimedia stuff with it, so I need a pretty damn fast computer. And I would like to get a little gaming in there D) if I can.

So I guess the best thing to do would be to build one myself. I would love you guys forever if one of you could give me a list of parts to build a good PC for under $1000. My problem is not so much the building of the PC, but finding the right/compatible parts. If possible, I'd like to be able to get parts from stores (Frys, Circuit City, Compusa, Best Buy) rather than from online. I don't care if I have to pay a little more, but I just need to keep it in the $1000 range.

A place like newegg.com is a far better choice than BB/CC/CompUSA.

 

[RadiclDreamer]

Build your own, or if you dont feel comfortable doing it, go to a local PC store and let them know what you want and they will gladly build it to spec for you. Dont waste your money by buying the garbage that sams club/wal mart and the like put out.

 

[FlyingPenguin]

I just checked gotapex.com and they have a Dell coupon listed for 25% off + free shipping (Dell always has free shipping so that's a crock anyway) off any system $999 or over. That'll save you a few bucks.

 

[Rock Hydra]

I like picking out my own particular parts for my PC. But this usually takes numerous hours of reading reviews and checking prices, and compiling the parts....If you don't have the time, then buy a pre-built. Like some have said above, Dell makes good machines. Also, if you don't know how to support your PC, then maybe you should buy one from a sytem manufacturer.