To build or buy... Also gaming system advice...

[Jagercola]

Guys, I have been looking at buying a good gaming computer and Alienware has some great prices compared to voodoopc or falcon-nw. The only problem is that they are normally several weeks behind in getting the new stuff. Would it be more effective for me to order stuff from places like newegg and assemble it myself? Is there normally a cost savings of building it yourself? If it is more effective just to purchase a system, what are some good athlon producing companies (ex. ABS computers?) Here are the components of the computer I want to build, let me know if there any performance additions I could make that are reasonable.


System for gaming and mild photoshop use

(Suggest a case with lots of cooling, and that would fit the motherboard)
AMD Athlon XP Processor 1800+ with QuantiSpeed(TM) architecture Item
KT266A Motherboard (Don't have a clue about which brand I should get)
512MB DDR SDRAM PC2100 (Should I go with a gig? any benefits?)
60GB Maxtor 7200RPM ATA 100 HD (What's the raid array thing I hear about that involves 2 of these linked together?)
Toshiba 16X DVD-ROM
Plextor 24x10x40 CD-RW
G-force 3 ti 500 or Radeon 8500 All-In-Wonder (Which ever comes out first or has the best reviews)
Nokia 21'' Trinitron 445pro (Already have it from the Dell deal, thanks anandtech!)
Klipsch 4.1 Speakers (Bought when they first came out because Klipsch Rulez!)
Sound Blaster Audigy (Does the model really matter?)
1.44MB Floppy Drive
Windows XP Home Edition
3COM PCI 10/100 Base-T


Let me know if there any preformance enchancing changes I can make for a reasonable price. Also, anywhere that would sell this rig build, or do you guys think I should build it myself.

Thanks anandtech.... -Will

 

[BuckleDownBen]

You could probably get a Lite-On CDRW instead of the Plextor to save some money.

 

[Rickten]

Thats almost the same system I'm building, with a few minor tweaks.

 

[VBboy]

In your case, the only two benefits of building your own is choosing a case and choosing a heatsink. If buy the system, they will probably give you a case you don't like or a cooler that's too weak or too noisy.

 

[LuNoTiCK]

If you want to save money build it yourself. Like BuckleDownBen said I would get a Lite-on instead of a plextor because it is cheaper, they both burn SD2 anyway. Most likely I would go for the Radeon 8500 instead of the Geforce 3 Ti500 and I wouldnt go for a creative card, even though I'm not sure about the Audigy I would get something like a acoustic edge or a santa cruz.


Also I would get one of the cases alienware uses such as
http://www.directron.com/1040b.html

 

[Jagercola]

If anyone plans on buying any of these parts and has any links to good prices... please post em. If anyone plans on building a simlar system, through out what tweaks you would do. Thanks

 

[splice]

THE place to buy parts is @ NewEgg

 

[BeauJangles]

Build your own system, it is so much more rewarding then opening up a box and plugging in cables.

as for prices, use www.pricewatch.com and also www.resellerratings.com

-Bomber

 

[bluemax]

Just for laughs, you might want to see if Dell has any specials on right now... I got a real nice machine for a super price. All I need to do is replace the video and I could have a rippin' game rig.
And I must admit, it's quieter, cooler, and nicer looking than I could have built for the same money.
And I don't think I could build for what I paid - especially with the included software and high-speed internet access.