Build own or Pre-built?

[hhpwang]

i think it's kind of a toss up as well. i built the machine i'm using about 3 yrs ago (yikes) after a ridiculous amount of research and for the most part it's served me well, but there are a few small nagging issues that i've never quite been able to resolve. it's built from parts that were all highly recommended and i purchased the parts from reputable vendors, but i feel the larger PC vendors must be able to do a little more component compatibility and overall system testing than the average home-builder can. for example, the new dells seem really quiet -- much quieter than my rig, despite my taking the extra time and expense to find and purchase special "quiet PC" parts. i'm sure i could improve my machine's noise performance, but how much more money, time, and mucking around with thermal grease would it take?

don't get me wrong -- it was really fun to research and build my machine, but now that i've done it once i'm not sure i'd want to do it again esp. if i can get a pre-built for the same cost with the same performance and a better warranty. i think it comes down to how interesting/fun the idea of building a system is to you...IMHO of course.

 

[ku]

Like i said, I've built 20+ computers (for myself, friends, and family) so experience isn't a big issue... I just want best bang for buck really. Also, I used to buy from newegg but they started taxing NJ (6 percent of 1000 is a lot of money) so I'm wondering if there are any other internet sites that are as reliable and cheap as newegg... thanks!

 

[nitromullet]

Originally posted by: LLLosingit

Originally posted by: nitromullet

Originally posted by: redass1876
just watch dell for a while, when they have a great sale, take it, and swap out parts you want to upgrade, cheaper this way, and sometimes barebones can be the way to go, kinda a half build

I do not possibly see how this could be the cheapest way to go, but I could be wrong. Have you done this yourself? Have any examples w/ prices?

I can give you an example.
Dell PE400SC P4 2.4 800fsb 40g hard drive 128mb and Palm zire 21 $369.00 delivered $100 rebate = $269 sold the Zire to a friend for $50 brings it down to $219, sold Dell back the hard drive and ram for $129 bringing it down to $90

WESTERN DIGITAL 80GB Hard Drive-7200 RPM-8MB Cache at OM = $19.99 After Rebate

Bought two 512 sticks of Corsair PC 3200 for $135 After rebate

I already had a dell system so I used the restore disk from it to install XP home.

Bought a MSI Nvidia FX5900XT from Newegg for $185 shipped

I bought an NEC 8X DVD -RW/+RW and Liteon DVD-rom at Newegg for $150

Refurbished IBM P260 21" CRT monitor for $110 Shipped from a nearby by refurbisher.

So for around $700 I have
P4 2.4 800Fsb
XP home
1 GB ram
80GB HD
FX5900XT
8X DVD -RW/+RW
16X DVD-Rom
21" CRT monitor

I Just bought another complete system on the last Dell Deal, should be here later this week.

Dimension 8300 Series,Intel Pentium 4 Processor at 3.0GHz w/HT Technology and 1MB cache
XP Home Edition
Microsoft Office 2003 Basic Edition,Dimension,BSD
256MB DDR at 400MHZ
80GB 7200 RPM Ultra ATA Hard Drive
3.5in Floppy Drive
16X DVD-Rom Drive
8X DVD+R/RW CD-RW Combination Drive
128MB DDR ATI RADEON 9800 PRO Graphics Card with TV-Out and DVI
17 in E172FPBFlat Panel Display

Total Order Amount: $1,105.81- $150 for the rebate = $955.81

That is an interesting chain of events you have there... What exactly do you mean by "...sold Dell back the hard drive and ram for $129..."?

 

[ponyo]

He sold the hard drive and ram back to Dell. Dell buys back components.

 

[nitromullet]

Originally posted by: Naustica
He sold the hard drive and ram back to Dell. Dell buys back components.

Hmmm... Well, apparently, you really do learn something new everyday... I looked on Dell's website, and I couldn't find any info on that. You know of a link or is this info only avaialble to current customers. I'm just trying to figure out why they would do that...

 

[ponyo]

Originally posted by: nitromullet

Originally posted by: Naustica
He sold the hard drive and ram back to Dell. Dell buys back components.

Hmmm... Well, apparently, you really do learn something new everyday... I looked on Dell's website, and I couldn't find any info on that. You know of a link or is this info only avaialble to current customers. I'm just trying to figure out why they would do that...

There is a number you call up. It was mentioned in couple of Dell Hot Deals threads last year. I don't have the number offhand.

 

[sterling]

KU

I just completed my own build as a matter of fact. Now that I look back I have mixed feelings. If you build your own u better get ready for lots of FRUSTRATION!!!!!
A task that shold have taken no more than 3 or 4 hours took me over a week to accomplish. I thought paying extra for Intel would guarantee me a smooth build. In fact, the manual for the motherboard and processor was worthless. It took me over 4 hours one day to find some info on their website. If u think im joking try it yourself. Look up the manual for the 865perll motherboard. I also bought an Antec case and True power supply. Their directions were even worse. Trying to figure out how the railing system worked took me hours. Without decent manuals the most simple retarded tasks took hours of time to figure out.

One of the reasons why I built my own is because I got my hands on a free copy of windows xp pro. I spent about 500 bucks altogether building this Intel 2.8c 800fsb. As someone already mentioned Dell is selling a Intel 3.0 system with 1 meg of ram for 150 bucks more. If I were you I jump on it in a SECOND!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

One thing about building your own computer it really takes the mystery out of it. If you do decide to build your own try to find a friend who has experience for help. One of the advantages of building your own is the warranty. Most of the important parts, if u buy retail come with a 3 year warranty. But really, with computers being so cheap today i would suggest u save time and money and buy a DELL DUDE!!

 

[vtqanh]

Originally posted by: Naustica

Originally posted by: nitromullet

Originally posted by: Naustica
He sold the hard drive and ram back to Dell. Dell buys back components.

Hmmm... Well, apparently, you really do learn something new everyday... I looked on Dell's website, and I couldn't find any info on that. You know of a link or is this info only avaialble to current customers. I'm just trying to figure out why they would do that...

There is a number you call up. It was mentioned in couple of Dell Hot Deals threads last year. I don't have the number offhand.

recently it hasn't been that easy anymore to get them to buy back the components

 

[nitromullet]

Originally posted by: Dman877
I was on dell's site a few days ago and they had a free 2GB memory upgrade on P4C's which... isn't cheap even if they used generic stuff.

Dell isn't going to use el cheapo generic RAM. The last RAM upgrade we did at work (we have a corp deal with Dell), they sent us Crucial/Micron RAM. This certianly isn't Corsair with regards to timings, but it is still solid stuff. In my previous post, I was referring to a parts store also selling pre-built systems. I would pay careful attention to what RAM they were using, moreso than with a larger OEM like Dell that can make volume deals with companies that manufacture RAM from the wafer up.

Overall, this thread has been quite interesting in regards to what you can do with a good deal on a Dell, a little bit of know-how, and some bartering skills. I will still build my own system next time around because that's just the way I want to do it, but I could see the value in greasing the wheels a bit to get a good deal out of Dell for a basic system and tweaking it with some better components. Of course to do this properly, you still have to know quite a bit about hardware and it really doesn't make your purchase/install/build (whatever you wanna call it) any simpler.

 

[Tango57]

Yeah I think the Dell is the way to go. Just one question though....doesn't swapping out or replacing the original hardware parts on a brand new Dell somehow void the warranty if something goes wrong???

 

[0roo0roo]

Trying to figure out how the railing system worked took me hours. Without decent manuals the most simple retarded tasks took hours of time to figure out.

wholly cow. if you had just read a decent review on the cases u'd uv seen pics of the rails in use.

but i guess that just shows how a beginner is better off buying a prebuilt if no one is around to help with build. if you build a system atleast once a year it becomes very quick, up and running in 3 hrs with all things installed/software, ghost images etc. beginners bound to screw up somewhere and hit a snag.

even with a reasonably experienced builder theres a certain amount of plug and pray. and when one part isn't obviously doa but affects the system... its no fun. if you have no comparable pc's around to test individual components to narrow down the problem.. bad..

 

[LLLosingit]

Originally posted by: Tango57
Yeah I think the Dell is the way to go. Just one question though....doesn't swapping out or replacing the original hardware parts on a brand new Dell somehow void the warranty if something goes wrong???

I had a Dell 4550 that had a motherboard go bad and Dell sent me a replacement next day air and picked up the old one at the same time, I talked to someone in Tech so they got it approved for me.
That was last year things may be different now.

 

[Tango57]

ok thanks LLLosingit