Is it worth it to build your computer?

[ManBearPig]

i built this one, and i love it, but im seeing some that are really pretty awesome at all these stores for 1700 and less. all of these PCs have better stuff than i have, and are all considered good, with the exception of the graphics card, which is decent.

is there a point to building your computer anymore, with all these damn companies getting products so cheap?

discuss.

 

[pinion9]

It really depends on what you are going to use your computer for. For a gaming rig, yes, it is worth it. For your mom to read some e-mail and write a letter, no.

The way they get "gaming" rigs so cheap and with high specs is by using cheap components. They use on board audio, 2 GB RAM with 2T timings, not to mention cheap material. They throw in a PSU rated at 500 Watts PEAK power, while it really only produces 250 RMS. Not to mention the cheap motherboard, cheap graphics card, and cheap cases.

Yes, it is worth it to build your own rig if you want it to be high quality. Plus, no spyware/adware on initial install of OS (Dell comes preloaded with so much crap...)

 

[2Dead]

Originally posted by: pinion9
It really depends on what you are going to use your computer for. For a gaming rig, yes, it is worth it. For your mom to read some e-mail and write a letter, no.

The way they get "gaming" rigs so cheap and with high specs is by using cheap components. They use on board audio, 2 GB RAM with 2T timings, not to mention cheap material. They throw in a PSU rated at 500 Watts PEAK power, while it really only produces 250 RMS. Not to mention the cheap motherboard, cheap graphics card, and cheap cases.

Yes, it is worth it to build your own rig if you want it to be high quality. Plus, no spyware/adware on initial install of OS (Dell comes preloaded with so much crap...)

 

[JSFLY]

Originally posted by: Heen05
i built this one, and i love it, but im seeing some that are really pretty awesome at all these stores for 1700 and less. all of these PCs have better stuff than i have, and are all considered good, with the exception of the graphics card, which is decent.

is there a point to building your computer anymore, with all these damn companies getting products so cheap?

discuss.

Show us one of the specs of the machines your talking about and price and I'll build you one with equal performance at a cheaper price.

 

[pkme2]

If you know what you going to use it for and have a budget that is flexible, then go for it.

My first new rig that I started last year Sept took till Jan to build. From then I replaced 2 rigs, it got easier since my research got better and prices got lower.
My newest rig didn't need added sound or super speakers because my video rig could do that. So building my last unit could only be improved with minor changes.

You have to decide what will work for one and stick to that premise. I don't game so what I do is fast enough. Some software may be upgraded but what can you do if you're close to perfection. Others will definitely go further, but I'm happy now.

For Christmas, a 2405 will be in the offing. Ah yes, a 4800+ is my next search and buy, AM2 do your thing.

 

[SoundTheSurrender]

heh, did you buy from newegg or a equal online store? if not then you made a bad choice.

 

[Lasthitlarry]

Originally posted by: pinion9
It really depends on what you are going to use your computer for. For a gaming rig, yes, it is worth it. For your mom to read some e-mail and write a letter, no.

The way they get "gaming" rigs so cheap and with high specs is by using cheap components. They use on board audio, 2 GB RAM with 2T timings, not to mention cheap material. They throw in a PSU rated at 500 Watts PEAK power, while it really only produces 250 RMS. Not to mention the cheap motherboard, cheap graphics card, and cheap cases.

Yes, it is worth it to build your own rig if you want it to be high quality. Plus, no spyware/adware on initial install of OS (Dell comes preloaded with so much crap...)

Nuff said.

 

[Ika]

Originally posted by: JSFLY

Originally posted by: Heen05
i built this one, and i love it, but im seeing some that are really pretty awesome at all these stores for 1700 and less. all of these PCs have better stuff than i have, and are all considered good, with the exception of the graphics card, which is decent.

is there a point to building your computer anymore, with all these damn companies getting products so cheap?

discuss.

Show us one of the specs of the machines your talking about and price and I'll build you one with equal performance at a cheaper price.

or, better performance at the same price.

 

[obeseotron]

If you're looking in the $1700 range, you will get a better PC by building it yourself. Post up the exact specs and price of an OEM computer in that range and someone will suggest parts to build a better one. Mainstream OEMs do not make good gaming machines and specialty makers are overpriced. I can't remember ever seeing a good gaming PC in a big box store ever. If you were looking for a cheap PC for basic use, then you can't beat Dell's cheap prices, especially when they start throwing in LCDs, but retail stores are almost always a bad deal.

 

[F1shF4t]

I remeber the comp i built some years back p4c 2.8, and fx5700, 1gig ram i remember looking a year + a bit later and seeing same spec comps except for gfx card and ram selling for more than what i built my one. If your building a gaming rig, or high end comp, not only will parts be cheaper to get but u will have the oportunity to select the components that u want for reliability.

Cheap comps on the other had are much cheaper to buy prebuilt.

 

[jonnyGURU]

I have to agree. But it really depends on your price point.

If you're not overclocking, or need to have the bleeding edge, a pre-build is a better choice. But even if your gaming, you can buy an eMachine (Gateway version, of course.. w/ FIC or MSI board) for $300 to $500 w/o video card (typically has on board video, but also AGP or PCI-e slot) and install your own high end video card, upgrade the RAM and you're set.

I'll always build my own PC because I have fun doing it. I just re-did someone's PC today for free just because (was pissed off that her brother did such a sloppy job and re-routed all of the power cables, replaced ribbon cables with round cables, etc.) but if I have a friend or family member that wants a PC... screw it! Refurbished eMachine!

Originally posted by: djmihow
heh, did you buy from newegg or a equal online store? if not then you made a bad choice.

Fan boy.

 

[ManBearPig]

maybe i am wrong. it just seemed like all these damn computer were adding like, 4200x2 and better and have pretty sweet printers and decent LCD monitors, 2 gigs of ram (lets face it, better timings add like a few FPS max in games), huge hdds (around 300gigs 16mb cache) and the like, for like 1700 or less.

i guess everything has fallen pretty fast.

 

[Noema]

Though I'd never buy a pre-built computer for gaming or heavy duty usage, I am seriously considering buying an emachines for my parents instead of building one myself. No matter how many corners I cut, the emachines (which even has an AMD processor ) ends up being cheaper always.

 

[Henny]

I build my computers for the fun of it. (not the economics) I like to research and then hand pick the components to my liking and then custom build it.

If all you want is a generic PC you'll be better buying from Dell.

 

[sniperruff]

lower end? no. higher end? yes. coupons and % off at dell? always no. a pentium D for under $300? no.

 

[PhoenixOrion]

i always build my own pc.
but.....

Dell Dimension E510 2.8Ghz Dual core with 24" widescreen 2405FPW for $993 right now with free shipping.

the point of building computers on your own now comes down to getting fun out of the buying/selection process, fun of DIY, and the learning aspect of it,
not economics as others assert in this thread. a high-end rig on your own can still run up $2G+

 

[bamacre]

Originally posted by: JSFLY

Originally posted by: Heen05
i built this one, and i love it, but im seeing some that are really pretty awesome at all these stores for 1700 and less. all of these PCs have better stuff than i have, and are all considered good, with the exception of the graphics card, which is decent.

is there a point to building your computer anymore, with all these damn companies getting products so cheap?

discuss.

Show us one of the specs of the machines your talking about and price and I'll build you one with equal performance at a cheaper price.

Linky.

 

[engineereeyore]

I always build my own, and always will. They are great for people who don't know what they're doing, but I always get good enough deals that it doesn't profit me anything. Plus, putting your own computer together is just fun. My kids love to help.

 

[Jiggz]

It all depends on what you plan on using it for! But the last branded rig I bought was a 386DX! Eversince I've always built my own.

 

[George Powell]

I would have a slight problem with buying a prebuilt rig. The first thing I would do is almost certainly take it to pieces, tweak, rearrange and reassemble - probably in a different way to what us was.

Therefore I would always choose to build my own rather buy off the shel, the exception of course is with a laptop.

 

[PurdueRy]

Originally posted by: bamacre

Originally posted by: JSFLY

Originally posted by: Heen05
i built this one, and i love it, but im seeing some that are really pretty awesome at all these stores for 1700 and less. all of these PCs have better stuff than i have, and are all considered good, with the exception of the graphics card, which is decent.

is there a point to building your computer anymore, with all these damn companies getting products so cheap?

discuss.

Show us one of the specs of the machines your talking about and price and I'll build you one with equal performance at a cheaper price.

Linky.

That's refurbished and therefore isn't a fair comparison as it has been marked down from its initital value.

 

[jonnyGURU]

Originally posted by: PurdueRy

That's refurbished and therefore isn't a fair comparison as it has been marked down from its initital value.

Doesn't matter to me. All of the built machines I've bought lately have been refurbed. I have nothing against it. Same warranty and the fact that it's refurbed means its been gone over a second time!

 

[tcsenter]

Is it worth it? If your budget ceiling (not including tax and shipping) is:

Under $400 = definitely not

Between $400 and $500 = probably not, but depends (less room to work)

Between $500 and $600 = probably, but depends (more room to work)

Over $600 = definitely

This assumes 'worth' is tangible and/or objective (price, performance, features), and does not include subjective 'worth' such as warm and fuzzy DIY feelings.

 

[bamacre]

Originally posted by: PurdueRy

Originally posted by: bamacre

Originally posted by: JSFLY

Originally posted by: Heen05
i built this one, and i love it, but im seeing some that are really pretty awesome at all these stores for 1700 and less. all of these PCs have better stuff than i have, and are all considered good, with the exception of the graphics card, which is decent.

is there a point to building your computer anymore, with all these damn companies getting products so cheap?

discuss.

Show us one of the specs of the machines your talking about and price and I'll build you one with equal performance at a cheaper price.

Linky.

That's refurbished and therefore isn't a fair comparison as it has been marked down from its initital value.

It also comes with a 3YR warranty.

 

[DaRkLoRd666]

Originally posted by: Heen05
i built this one, and i love it, but im seeing some that are really pretty awesome at all these stores for 1700 and less. all of these PCs have better stuff than i have, and are all considered good, with the exception of the graphics card, which is decent.

is there a point to building your computer anymore, with all these damn companies getting products so cheap?

discuss.

its funny how they dont tell you the latency of the ram they give you

funny they dont tell you the manufacturer

funny they can charge you an extra $200 for windows

funny that they rip you of on the cost of hardware about $400

funny how altogeather they rip you off $600

with $1700 i could build a machine that is almost top of the line with the X1900XTX or 7900GTX with amd64 3700+ or +4000 and GOOD ram

EDIT: also the LCD moniters dell GIVES you really suck, the contrast is good but its 25ms (thats more then u get over the INTERNET)