Build Your Own Vs. Buying

[Markfw]

then building your own is a certainty IMO. I think an Athlon 939 pin 3500 or 3800 with a 6800GT video card and one gig of memory would be a good start.

 

[Gurck]

Like most everyone here, I'd recommend building your own. If you do go against our collective wisdom and decdie on a prebuilt, I'd shy away from Dell - their customer support has really gone downhill lately. ABS & Monarch are two good names to look at.

 

[Bonesdad]

Just what do you do with your PC? Are you a gamer or just like to surf the net (pR0n or otherwise) and write papers for school? Dell would be OK if it is just the latter, but building is still lots more fun.

 

[imported_jediknight]

Originally posted by: Azzy64
please, ignore this guy - no offence to you Irmat, but i would not recommend a dell to my worst enemy!
also, people whining about software... well you have to options, use freeware replacements (see: Open Office), or download sharewared programs and search for cracks.

NOTE:I do not encourage or facilitate the use of illegal cracks and warez. I for one support paying for my software.

Dude! You say "or download sharewared programs and search for cracks"...
and then "I do not encourage or facilitate the use of illegal cracks"!!!

Talk about hypocrisy!!

 

[imported_jediknight]

Originally posted by: MDE
As for the software, he's going to college, most software will be LOADS cheaper at the school bookstore.

Beware of the license agreement, though: Sometimes you only get a 1 year license or some BS like that..

 

[mooseAndSquirrel]

Building is more fun, you learn more, and you get just what you want and it's much more upgradeable.

But for me, it's much more expensive. Granted, I've gone high-end in my 3 builds, even spending $150 on the case.

There are 2 saving graces for me: (1) through work and MSDN universal subscriptions, I have a ton of software and (2) the more you build, the more spare parts stock you build up, so eventually you might get a cheaper build. You might even get essentially a free PC that way.

But bang-for-buck, it's pretty hard to beat a Dell, especially a refurb or special. I'd look for those with a $1000 budget.

And I've never been able to build a PC as quiet as a Dell.

If you do build, you might buy a few things like the case and power supply from a local computer shop. Shipping charges can kill you, and cases often get damaged in shipping. Ditto on the monitor, which you really want to be able to return without a lot of hassles.

 

[MellowMan]

nothing beats building your own:

1. you get exactly what you want
2. it's usually cheaper
3. repairs are easier
4. you get a warrantly for each part
5. you can brag about it

 

[Gurck]

Originally posted by: mooseAndSquirrel
Building is more fun, you learn more, and you get just what you want and it's much more upgradeable.

But for me, it's much more expensive.

You only spent more because you wanted higher quality stuff... a power and/or gaming rig from Dell will run you quite a bit more than one you build yourself, though they do compete on low-end (usually Celeron-powered) internet & email rigs.

 

[otispunkmeyer]

i think u should check jpeytons thread on building a new system

here

he has kindly suggested systems for a whole range of budgets...this should get u started.

 

[LeadMagnet]

Originally posted by: Markfw900
then building your own is a certainty IMO. I think an Athlon 939 pin 3500 or 3800 with a 6800GT video card and one gig of memory would be a good start.

A good start!!! Thats a freak'n powerhouse. Why not just get a Crey supercomputer too.

 

[LanFear]

$1000 budget

Abit K8VPro $99 shipped Newegg
A64 3000+ $165 shipped Newegg
Western Digital 80GB SATA 7200 8MB Buffer x 2 $137.50 shipped Newegg
Antec Sonata with True 380w PS Front USB 2.0/audio $95.00 shipped Newegg
NEC 16X Double Layer DVD±RW Black $82.00 shipped Newegg
Mushkin 1GB PC3200 2-3-3-6 $220 shipped with $25 mail in rebate Newegg
eVGA 6800 GT $392 shipped Newegg

Subtotal $1190.50
rebate -$ 25.00
Total $1165.50 shipped

A bit over your budget i know, although not that much, squeeze it out of mom and dad or save a few extra pennies, and it's a real sweet rig. Not reccomending these exact parts, this is just an example to give you an idea of what it costs to build a pretty nice machine. Many others on this forum could help you with alternatives to shave off some $$ and stil end up with a good box. The machine above would pretty much handle anything you could throw at it. Anyone out there up for posting a comparable Dell pentium model, so he can see the price/performance difference.

 

[mechBgon]

That's a nice shopping list I'd steer towards Seagate ATA/100 hard drives for long-haul quietness (fluid bearings) and a nice straightforward setup procedure. SATA setup can be tricky with some boards. The 5-year warranty on the Seagates could be a little incentive too

 

[bigal40]

What do you guys think about building your own vs a place like monarch. They let you pretty much customize everything you can think of.

 

[LanFear]

Originally posted by: mechBgon
That's a nice shopping list I'd steer towards Seagate ATA/100 hard drives for long-haul quietness (fluid bearings) and a nice straightforward setup procedure. SATA setup can be tricky with some boards. The 5-year warranty on the Seagates could be a little incentive too

Yeah absolutely, ATA might be the way to go for a first time build, and he could probably shave some cash off the total price by going that route. A 5-year warranty is nice as well. Not solely recommending Newegg, i buy most of my stuff there for reliability's sake. Never had an issue with them and only had to RMA 1 item out of about 50 purchased, and it was hassle free to do so. If he's going to go ATA he could use 1 larger hard drive and also maybe only use 512MB memory, although a gig sure is nice.

 

[LanFear]

Originally posted by: bigal40
What do you guys think about building your own vs a place like monarch. They let you pretty much customize everything you can think of.

Best bet is to figure out what you want your machine components to be from the start. CPU,MB,RAM,AGP,Case,peripherals, etc.. Price the items out individually, on a couple of sites to give you an average cost. Then go to sites like monarch and build as close a machine as possible and see what the difference is. By building it yourself you assure quality components and get exactly what you want. If you want a 400w ps and a specific case, you may not be able to get that exact config at a place like monarch. They'll offer you a comparable mid-tower case and 400w ps, but i doubt you'll get the same brand names.

 

[LanFear]

...and don't forget rip2k64, xmas is right around the corner, a great time at your age to offload some of your costs and possibly lower your budget. ....ahhh an A64 3200+ and a 6800 GT in my stocking, how nice!

 

[Mik3y]

knowledge>warranty

 

[LanFear]

Originally posted by: Mik3y
knowledge>warranty

I personally wouldn't be worried about a 5-year warranty, i'd get a western digital above any other brand, every one i've ever had has lasted at least 5-6 years before i had any problems. MechBgon has a valid point though, ATA might be better for a first build, and since he's looking for upgrade capabilities, he could always add SATA later.

 

[rip2k64]

I have already done a lot of research into parts. And like I said, software is not a problem. Right now I am looking at the following parts:

AMD Anthlon 64 2800+, 512kb L2 Cach
Chaintech nVidia GeForce 6800 Video Card, 128 mb DDR
Western Digital Special Edition 120gb 7200rpm IDE hard drive
Kingston 184 Pin 512mb DDR PC-3200
Antec P4 ATX12V 400w PSU

I plan on using it mostly for gaming but also can not break the bank with it. The closest I have come with Dell as far as performance is more then double what I want to spend so I tend to be leaning towards building. But the idea of getting a barebone and then adding might be the only way I can get it to fly past my parents. They don't seem to care that each part comes with a factory warrenty.

Again thanks for all of your input.

 

[heartsurgeon]

My parents want me to go to Dell

Your patents are right.

get a 400sc for under $400

add what ever you want to it later.

if your computer stops working at college....who is gonna fix it, pay for it,
the computer at college becomes more of a "work" related device, and less of a "lesiure" related device.

you need a functioning computer all the time at college.

get something with a proven track record, and a warranty.

 

[tart666]

Originally posted by: heartsurgeon

My parents want me to go to Dell

Your patents are right.

get a 400sc for under $400

add what ever you want to it later.

if your computer stops working at college....who is gonna fix it, pay for it,
the computer at college becomes more of a "work" related device, and less of a "lesiure" related device.

you need a functioning computer all the time at college.

get something with a proven track record, and a warranty.

totally. In fact a 400sc with a 2.8HT can be had for $300 incl tax/ship. Using that as a barebone, add whatever you need. Comes with a decent PSU, and will be WAY quieter than anything custom-built. Trust me, you will appreciate that.

 

[Bovinicus]

Originally posted by: heartsurgeon

My parents want me to go to Dell

Your patents are right.

get a 400sc for under $400

add what ever you want to it later.

if your computer stops working at college....who is gonna fix it, pay for it,
the computer at college becomes more of a "work" related device, and less of a "lesiure" related device.

you need a functioning computer all the time at college.

get something with a proven track record, and a warranty.

Dells aren't l33t though...

 

[rip2k64]

Yeah, I know it is a bit off the original topic but I have been doing some research into barebones to see if I can appease my parents. On of the mobos I am looking for has a CNR slot on it. I can't find what this is used by. Any help would be apprecitated.

 

[mechBgon]

CNR stands for Communications/Network Riser, a plug-in card that gives the motherboard's built-in network and modem stuff a way to interface with your phone or network cables. You're not likely to ever use it.

Maybe your parents could understand better if you took the fight to their turf. If one of them has a really excellent 35mm SLR camera and lens collection, ask them if they would be happy with a little point-&-shoot pocket camera that has a warranty. No? Why not? Oh, maybe because it isn't versatile, interchangeable, rebuildable, expandable...?

ahhh-HAH!