mastertech01
Moderator Emeritus Elite Member
- Nov 13, 1999
- 11,875
- 282
- 126
The company I work for just purchased several Dells at prices I could never compete with, all included a flat panel display.
I think if you have to get a monitor with your system getting a Dell with the flat panel display, subwoofer sound system, network built in, and a lot of nice conviences and software for 750.00 shipped after rebate is hard to beat with the Dell warranty. I will personally continue building my own but I would have a hard time telling Joe Blow who doesnt know PC133 from PC2100 that a Dell isnt a good buy.
I think if you have to get a monitor with your system getting a Dell with the flat panel display, subwoofer sound system, network built in, and a lot of nice conviences and software for 750.00 shipped after rebate is hard to beat with the Dell warranty. I will personally continue building my own but I would have a hard time telling Joe Blow who doesnt know PC133 from PC2100 that a Dell isnt a good buy.
Compaq / HP used (and may still use) motherboards, PSUs, and cases, that although not necessarily proprietary, were a total PITA to upgrade (possibly on purpose) - to the point that a 5 minute upgrade on my standard PCs at home would be a 2 hour upgrade on said HP (I've actually tried that: adding a hard disk and CDRW to a 766MHz Celeron HP Pavilion).
Personally, I will continue to build my own computers rather than buying pre-built, even if it does cost me more money. I want to choose every single component, including the case and power supply. Plus, I enjoy the whole process of putting the computer together because it makes it feel more "mine."
For family or friends, it depends on what they want. If they want a kick-a$$ gaming machine, then I'd still recommend a custom built rig. It would definitely be cheaper than buying a Falcon or AlienWare machine and probably be comparable to what Dell or Gateway could offer. But if all they want to do is surf the web and check e-mail and create a document now and then, I'd probably recommend a name brand POS, especially if you don't want them calling you for help.
I guess it all depends on what you enjoy. If you like tinkering, overclocking, and upgrading, build your own. If you just want to use the computer and never look inside of it, buy a name brand.
For family or friends, it depends on what they want. If they want a kick-a$$ gaming machine, then I'd still recommend a custom built rig. It would definitely be cheaper than buying a Falcon or AlienWare machine and probably be comparable to what Dell or Gateway could offer. But if all they want to do is surf the web and check e-mail and create a document now and then, I'd probably recommend a name brand POS, especially if you don't want them calling you for help.
I guess it all depends on what you enjoy. If you like tinkering, overclocking, and upgrading, build your own. If you just want to use the computer and never look inside of it, buy a name brand.
componentsdirect.com or eastoutlet.com
I bought Norton sysworks 2002 from eastoutlet for $9 shipped before, they are legit.
Whatcha talking about? 9700TX is only $140 over GF4MX, and 9700Pro is $320 over the same GF4MX. Which translates into card prices (GF4MX420 $50, 9700Pro $370)
If anything, 9700TX is a really good deal, this upgrade alone is worth buying a cheapo 4550 system for.
Once you build a computer it is always cheaper to keep doing that. I do not need to buy all of the stuff over again.
Went to best buy today and saw the VPR Matrix with the 2.4GHZ. Asked salesman what MB was in the system and he said I don't know so after he left me I opened the case. It is an Intel D845EBT with a 300 Watt FSP Group PSU and a PNY GF2MX 20032SAPG Video card. Could not tell what type drives.
Building and customizing a system to my exact specifications, down to the color of the rounded cables and their placement to maximize airflow, is such a blast.
I know it sounds lame, but I have fun doing it for some reason. I also like to know exactly what I have in my system, even the CAS latency of the memory and the dB of the hd.
I used to sell computers for BB and the markups are tiny. That's why it's so important to sell overpriced accessories, warranty/PSP, and e-learning software. We would sell the extra stuff before selling the computer itself. If someone didn't buy all the extra goodies, we would lie and say the computer was out of stock. That's how competitive the market is.
I know it sounds lame, but I have fun doing it for some reason. I also like to know exactly what I have in my system, even the CAS latency of the memory and the dB of the hd.
I used to sell computers for BB and the markups are tiny. That's why it's so important to sell overpriced accessories, warranty/PSP, and e-learning software. We would sell the extra stuff before selling the computer itself. If someone didn't buy all the extra goodies, we would lie and say the computer was out of stock. That's how competitive the market is.
ArmchairAthlete
Diamond Member
- Dec 3, 2002
- 3,763
- 0
- 0
It is time for me to buy a new PC. I've decided to build it myself. I've done all the homework, gotten help on these forums, gotten the cash together, and am ordering the parts tomorrow. I'll try to list my reasons that I can think of right now. Some of these have been listed by other users above as well:
-I'm an addicted gamer. I chose to custom build the PC so that it would perform well in games, so I spent less on the processor and more on the video card. There are other examples of how the machine is geared toward gaming unlike a Dell would be.
-I can make sure every single part is of high quality, and see how they compare to other parts through benchmarks and reviews. To my knowledge you can't tell Dell what brand of motherboard or memory to put in the PC they build you.
-I will be able to overclock my system to get more bang for my buck, I don't think you can do that with a Dell (or at least not very much).
-The system will be very upgradeable. For example a year from now I can swap the $60 Athlon XP 1700+ that I will overclock for, say, a 2800+ as they'll be much cheaper then. I can easily upgrade any component in the PC.
-I can reuse parts I already have that aren't really obsolete without paying for parts I don't need.
-The PC itself will look very cool, try getting a Dell with a black "Alienware look" Chenming/Chieftec case with a side window, a cold cathode, and a custom case badge that doesn't say "DELL" but instead has whatever little image you want on it.
-Who needs tech support when we have these forums? Every time I've called Dell's tech support trying to figure out what they are saying through that thick Indian accent is a nightmare. (No offense to Indian people). Honestly I think I could get better tech support on these forums. I've seen countless posts here where the friendly users here have helped someone in need solve their problem.
-There is a certain pride you can take in building your own PC. It is YOUR PC, built just how you want it.
-I'll gain some valuable knowledge and experience building my own computer. I know I've learned quite a lot in my time doing research on what parts to buy.
I do agree that for the average PC user who isn't a big gamer it is best to order a Dell. But from my reasons building one myself was what I wanted to do.
-I'm an addicted gamer. I chose to custom build the PC so that it would perform well in games, so I spent less on the processor and more on the video card. There are other examples of how the machine is geared toward gaming unlike a Dell would be.
-I can make sure every single part is of high quality, and see how they compare to other parts through benchmarks and reviews. To my knowledge you can't tell Dell what brand of motherboard or memory to put in the PC they build you.
-I will be able to overclock my system to get more bang for my buck, I don't think you can do that with a Dell (or at least not very much).
-The system will be very upgradeable. For example a year from now I can swap the $60 Athlon XP 1700+ that I will overclock for, say, a 2800+ as they'll be much cheaper then. I can easily upgrade any component in the PC.
-I can reuse parts I already have that aren't really obsolete without paying for parts I don't need.
-The PC itself will look very cool, try getting a Dell with a black "Alienware look" Chenming/Chieftec case with a side window, a cold cathode, and a custom case badge that doesn't say "DELL" but instead has whatever little image you want on it.
-Who needs tech support when we have these forums? Every time I've called Dell's tech support trying to figure out what they are saying through that thick Indian accent is a nightmare. (No offense to Indian people). Honestly I think I could get better tech support on these forums. I've seen countless posts here where the friendly users here have helped someone in need solve their problem.
-There is a certain pride you can take in building your own PC. It is YOUR PC, built just how you want it.
-I'll gain some valuable knowledge and experience building my own computer. I know I've learned quite a lot in my time doing research on what parts to buy.
I do agree that for the average PC user who isn't a big gamer it is best to order a Dell. But from my reasons building one myself was what I wanted to do.
I used to build all my Dad's machines, but over the last couple of years, it just started to make more sense to buy a prebuilt. And this is for a couple of reasons:
1) Tech support. I, like many people have grown to hate providing tech support for free. This is especially when you're trying to help that novice user who doesn't know a thing about his/her computer, aside from getting on AOL and checking email.
2) You just can't beat the bulk prices that OEMs get for hardware and software. Buying a legal retail copy of Windows XP Pro will cost you $200 alone. I compared doing a custom machine against buying another Dell for Dad, and the Dell came out about $200 cheaper, AND they were running a promo where you got a free upgrade to a 15" LCD monitor. $850 after shipping, I think it was. A DIY PC simply couldn't beat that at the time.
1) Tech support. I, like many people have grown to hate providing tech support for free. This is especially when you're trying to help that novice user who doesn't know a thing about his/her computer, aside from getting on AOL and checking email.
2) You just can't beat the bulk prices that OEMs get for hardware and software. Buying a legal retail copy of Windows XP Pro will cost you $200 alone. I compared doing a custom machine against buying another Dell for Dad, and the Dell came out about $200 cheaper, AND they were running a promo where you got a free upgrade to a 15" LCD monitor. $850 after shipping, I think it was. A DIY PC simply couldn't beat that at the time.
Cost-wise, no.
for customization's sake, having exactly what you want, and having the satisfaction of assembling your own machine. worth it.
personally i wouldn't ever buy a pre-made computer for my own machine at home.. has to be custom.
for customization's sake, having exactly what you want, and having the satisfaction of assembling your own machine. worth it.
personally i wouldn't ever buy a pre-made computer for my own machine at home.. has to be custom.
The selfworth, pride, knowing my Puter inside out, and having it my way has more value in my home then any street walker
The system that you mentioned in the orginial post looks pretty good as far as pre-builts go.
However, customization is the name of the game with the system I build. I don't put in features I don't need, and I don't leave out features I do need.
Also, a lot of times you don't actually get a copy of the OS when buying a pre-built system. Those system restore disks are really annoying, and they should actually give you a copy of the OS.
Furthermore, some forms of tweaking are not a possibility on pre-built systems. Options like bank interleave, command rate, pci bus mastering, and others are simply not available for tinkering on pre-built systems.
The lack of a quality PSU is another major downfall in purchasing pre-builts. Generic power supplies can leave users with unprecidented problems, especially when trying to add new components. Cheap memory is another area OEMs use to cut costs.
On that note, the support of the store is a good commodity to have. However, if you know what you're doing, you will be able to support yourself as competently as any Best Buy worker. All you need to work there is an A+ certification, which I got at the age of 14. For the basic user, this type of system should suffice. However, I would never buy a pre-built system under any circumstances. Plus, putting together a new system is fun!
However, customization is the name of the game with the system I build. I don't put in features I don't need, and I don't leave out features I do need.
Also, a lot of times you don't actually get a copy of the OS when buying a pre-built system. Those system restore disks are really annoying, and they should actually give you a copy of the OS.
Furthermore, some forms of tweaking are not a possibility on pre-built systems. Options like bank interleave, command rate, pci bus mastering, and others are simply not available for tinkering on pre-built systems.
The lack of a quality PSU is another major downfall in purchasing pre-builts. Generic power supplies can leave users with unprecidented problems, especially when trying to add new components. Cheap memory is another area OEMs use to cut costs.
On that note, the support of the store is a good commodity to have. However, if you know what you're doing, you will be able to support yourself as competently as any Best Buy worker. All you need to work there is an A+ certification, which I got at the age of 14. For the basic user, this type of system should suffice. However, I would never buy a pre-built system under any circumstances. Plus, putting together a new system is fun!
The problem here is that with their mass purchasing, companies like Dell should be selling these systems for MUCH less than we could build them for. If you're only saving a little bit of money, think of how much money Dell is making.
I'm currently using a vpr matrix pc (and I have a notebook of theirs too). The pc is very solid. I haven't had any problems at all with it.
The big problem I have with them is the software bundle. I can't find the manuals for the desktop, but the laptop did not come with a standard windows xp cd. Instead it came with a driver cd, and a restore cd.
The big problem I have with them is the software bundle. I can't find the manuals for the desktop, but the laptop did not come with a standard windows xp cd. Instead it came with a driver cd, and a restore cd.
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