To build or to buy, that is the question

[Friguy]

Since this is my first post on this forum I decided to start out with a bang.

I have read post after post after post saying to build your own computer. Building computers is a great learning experience, but I have had the pleasure more times then I would like to count. *Looks at the three servers that are waiting to be built and configured*

If you have the time and don?t mind the hours of banging your head against a desk trying to figure out why the drivers that came with the OEM sound card keep crashing your computer every time you boot up, or even the joy of spending hours on hold with the vendor and UPS trying to track down the one missing piece to your dream machine.

Everyone talks about how much more you spend on a pre-built from a company like Alienware or Falcon-NW, but let me ask this one question. What is your time worth to you? When you factor in the time you spend surfing for the cheapest price, then the time you spend ordering all the parts then waiting to get all the pieces shipped to you so that you can finally spend hours putting everything together, downloading drivers and trouble shooting issues. You actually end up spending more money in the long run building your own PC.

I spent all the time researching the parts for my new system. When all was said and done I would have saved around $400 dollars not counting the additional cost of shipping everything. I think the final total was less then 300.00 savings if I would have built the system myself. Hmmmm I figured my time was worth a lot more then that.

I?m not bashing people that build their own systems, but in turn I ask those people not to bash those of us that decided to purchase a custom built instead.

So now I sit here waiting for my Alienware system to arrive, playing with my dogs and spending time with my wife.

Friguy
*Another overworked underpaid IT professional*

System specs:

AMD 1.2 ghz Thunderbird
Microstar mobo
256mb sdram PC-133 CAS2
40gb Ultra ata hd
Geforce Ultra
Soundblaster live 5.1 platinum
Pioneer 16x Dvd
Klipsch Promedia v.2 4.0

 

[eyor]

The reason many of us build systems is the same reason we have a computer at all: for fun. It is a hobby. What would I use the spare time I would save buying a computer for? well, umm... my hobby maybe... but that IS building computers...

 

[Friguy]

Point well taken

My home computer is my stress relief. There is nothing like coming come from a day of dealing with people that cant figure out that the button on the front of the monitor doesnt turn on the computer and cranking up the home PC and going postal on some poor computer sprite that happened to walk into the line of fire.

 

[rockhard]

One thing i have noticed with prebuilt systems is that theres always something that the vendor cuts corners with to save costs.
Usually catches up with end-user sooner or later IMO.

Dont know if its common place still, but a lot of vendors used to clam up when u started to query about individual components included in their systems

rockhard =)

 

[PCAddict]

There's nothing wrong with getting a decent prebuilt system. As long as it's not an integrated piece of crap, you can do alot with an OEM rig.

 

[mosdef]

I think it's fun finding hot deals, then piecing together your hand-selected parts and seeing your creation come to life. You have unlimited flexibility and you are the boss when you're building your own computer. Also it doesn't take long to find hot deals, just check out the forum or go to Onvia!

-mosdef

 

[pdo]

If you factor in all the hardware and software that comes with pre-built system. Than you won't save alot of money by building your own comp. But I still prefer to build my own comp since I can decide which parts can go in my machine. Alienware build kick ass machine but a little overpriced I think. So if you can afford it more power to you.

 

[A2KLAU]

I like to build computers now and then in my spare time, like when I am on holidays from school and that kind of thing. I call it as an expensive hobby, but if you can get eveything running fine then it is a great reward to yourself being able to do something right for a change and also being able to trouble shoot all the things that are not working. But yes I do agree it takes time to "Price Hunt" but if you find a website which has permanently low prices then it is simple. I live in the U.K and I have found many web sites which offer very low prices and so I use them rather than go price hunting because I know they are selling good stuff and at a reasonable price.

SKY.

 

[Friguy]

I guess if I didnt spend 10 hours a day working on servers and desktops I would be alot more gung ho about building my own machine. Part of me still still would have rather built it instead of buying it, but at this stage of the game I just didnt have the time to spend on it. I guess I could blame the builder that cant get the wiring right on my new house even after I walked him through the entire process for the 5th time. :disgust:, Buy what the hell if the PC powers up and out performs my two year old pII 333 then I cant really complain, but more then likely I will build my next one.

 

[office boy]

It's usually the software the does it.
Thats were the big saving can be had in building a computer. If you don't need to get a retail version of windows, and office and all that then you can save a LOT.

 

[Electric Amish]

Like the others said. It's what I do when I'm not working....well it's what I do when I'm working too...

Also, systems like Dell, Compaq, and Gateway just don't seem as fast as a comparable home built system. Also, you can't always get exactly what you want. Case in point...I want a Matrox card in my system, but Dell only uses ATI, Geforce, and Voodoo...

amish

 

[BreakApart]

Perhaps if we look at computers like cars...

You want to drag race = buy one? or build one? (depends on the level of race)
You want a 4x4 to go mudding = Buy a factory truck, is it mud ready? NO, you build your dream mud truck.
You want to own a show car = buy a factory show car? No, you build them...
You want to carry the wife, kids, and family dog = well of course you would buy this one from the factory (family could get hurt or stranded in your home made car--not so smart)

The same arguments you used can be directed at cars. There are THOUSANDS of people with "project" cars in the garage they are building. They do it for the enjoyment, and challenge of pushing past factory specs...

I do see your point though, building computers is NOT for everyone...

 

[A2KLAU]

Great way of talking about computers in the sence of cars! I got a great picture out of it! And I agree with you Break Apart! Some people just don't have time for the hasle and just buy a system. The problems are each company likes to use specific brand names like as Electric Amish said Dell only use ATI, Voodoo and that, while other companies use others. If you go to not so much brand name companies more like still developing companies then they give you more choice and flexibility. I live in the U.K abd personally have not heard of Alienware so I don't knnow what theya re like, but by the name of the company and what you have said about it it sounds like it is a very good place to go to for computers. BTW could someone give me a link to the Alienware website please. Some people love to build computers as a hobby and don't mind the hassle but its still all up to personal taste, and some people just don't even like computers so they are left out of the equation.

SKY.

 

[kami]

<< To build or to buy, that is the question >>


Build. There is no question.

 

[A2KLAU]

LOL Kami there is a question to the people who don't know what a CPU from a Hard drive is. But those kind of poeple don't really show up in places like these. But yeah building a PC has advantages but havig pre-build ones also have theirs. There are good and bad from both sides. It depends on the person's situation as well.

No time = Pre-build PC
Lots of time = Build your own DIY

Or maybe financialy.

Pre-built = Expensive, well some of them are
Build your own = Not so expensive if you can get the core software like Windows and stuff off friends.

i could go on and on... So there are questions about &quot;To build or not to build&quot;

SKY.

 

[senior guy]

I just couldn't agree more with Friguy's position. My problem (just one of them, I realize) is that I've just been looking at the offerings of the &quot;major players&quot; (Dell, Compaq, HP, Gateway, etc.) and couldn't find even one system that was configured the way I wanted (and they often included stuff I didn't want/need)!

So at this time, I want to thank Friguy for putting me onto some of the &quot;designer label&quot; outfits like Alienware and Falcon-NW. If anyone knows of other quality PC builders, please post them for those of us that would rather pay someone to build it (our way).

 

[office boy]

Why not try a local shop?

 

[A2KLAU]

Local shops seem some how unreliable, I have had friends ,well 1 actually, go to a local shop and they made a dog's dinner of it! Everything was slowing down and everything was not going rite and he was getting p*ssed off with it. But then again some local shops will work miracles. Depends on the person who is making it. Is he a newbie or a veteran at this game of building PCs. But can any one tell me the web site for a place like Alienware?

SKY.

 

[Grendel99]

At the Dell website you can customize your PC. Well a little, but not to every part and yes they do throw in some parts you don't need or want. My first system was a Dell and I loved it. Worked great and techsupport was even better. And they are the cheapest that I have found.

But me personally I would much rather build a PC. Complete custimization, usually faster, alot more upgradable, cheaper, and bragging to your friends that you built your own computer . Yes there are HUGE headaches involved sometimes, but when you get it working right, its ALL worth it

 

[A2KLAU]

I agree with Grendel99 I hvae bragged about my seconds, technically first self built PC and it was quite enjoyable for a while. And I got quite abit of speed out of the computer too! It ran pretty smoothly and it is still now running very smoothly. the only dow side to my system is that it takes about 7-8 seconds to shut down, 2 of which is used to play a sound. And it take about nearly a minute to load up?! Thats the only annoying thing to it. But I am enjoying my system and pushing it to the max.

SKY.

 

[mpg]

alienwarei think has quality prebuilt/customized computers!

 

[Usul]

I build, it's fun and you put what you want.
But lots of people don't have time.
So I build for them!

 

[cyclistca]

I'm with you Friguy. I love puters but really just do not have the time to put together a whole system. Computers for me are like watching TV. It's something that I do to relax after work. Yeah I'm into the tech aspect of them else I would not be here but I would just not rather spend hours trying to get a system up and running.

However I do agree that if you are looking for a new system it better to go local if you can find a competent builder. That's what I did with my last system. You can always do better on a price performance bases. At least that's been my experience.

 

[office boy]

<<I would not be here but I would just not rather spend hours trying to get a system up and running.>>
It's funny how some of us here think so differently. Personally I love setting up systems and trouble-shooting, It's fun for me as any game on my PC.

 

[Renob]

I dont think the &quot;I dont have time &quot; holds any water.... I for one can build a system and load everything into it in about 2 hours that means everything the OS all drivers and updates. So saying you dont have the time I think is bologna. BTW If you see her tell her that I love her.......