Prebuilt vs. Custom

[imported_komputer]

I was hoping to get some input on whether this system from Costco is cheaper than what I could hope to build on my own:

MSI P35 Neo-F 1333-FSB Mainboard
Intel® Core? 2 Duo Processor E6750 at 2.66GHz
2GB DDR2 SDRAM at 800MHz
320GB SATA II Hard Drive
18x DVD+/-RW drive with Double Layer Support
256MB NVIDIA® GeForce® 8500 GT graphics card with TV-out
450 Watt
Microsoft® Windows Vista Home Premium
NZXT Apollo-Black Gaming Tower
Logitech Keyboard
Logitech Optical Mouse
802.11g WLAN
Integrated 10/100/1000 Gigabit Ethernet LAN

Total: $799.99 (manufacturer is iBuypower)

I am looking to upgrade from a seriously old computer and want to stagger some purchases (need to buy a new monitor, will probably replace this graphics card)
Thoughts?

 

[o1die]

I wouldn't stagger your purchases if building your own. Prices tend to go down; better to save and get it all at once and test all components together new; most have 15-30 day return policy.

 

[Thund3rb1rd]

how 'seriously old' are we talking about?
I had a non-OCed P4 2.4 w/ 1.5gb ddr, and a MSI fx5600 AGP
I just built what I would consider a new system, but I used my 3 old WD caviar 80GB IDE HDDs and IDE lite on DL DVD burner and monitors
abit ip35-e, e2180, xfx 8600gt xxx 256mb gddr3, 4x1gb crucial ballistix @ 667, earthwatts 430, CM 690 case, geminII, 4 mid flow 120mm fans
came out to $525 after I get all my MIRs back

I guess it depends on what you can reuse from your old system. If you have a retail version of windows that you can reuse, and decent HDDs I'd reuse parts from your old system. What kind of interface does your graphics card use (pci-e or agp)? How big is/are your HDD(s)? What is your current PSU? RAM? For that matter, what is your current CPU? If it is recent enough you could possibly reuse your CPU in a new mobo for a bit while you save again for a new CPU.

 

[mechsiah]

Hop on newegg, punch in the hardware and see for yourself. Pre-builts tend to be less expensive, but you get what they offer in most cases, and compromise on what you want. Who makes the PSU? What brand is the RAM? If you don't want the 8500 (understandable) perhaps its worth getting the one you want now.

For a lot of us on the forum, building our own guarantees we get what we want. The (sometimes) additional cost and (almost always) additional hassle is worth it. And as Thunderbird points out, if you're willing to work at it a little bit (hunt for deals and put in rebates) you can even do better price-wise.

(Sorry for all the parens)

 

[imported_komputer]

Thanks for the input. My computer is a dell ?Slimline which has a P4 1.8 w/ 250mb ram.
I am thinking of adding ram for a stopgap measure. I don't think I could use anything from this computer into any new build. I wouldn't mind using the monitory for awhile.
The only last question is :
Is this motherboard any good if I want to overclock this processor?

MSI P35 Neo-F 1333-FSB Mainboard

Thanks.

 

[jjj807]

build your own, get a core 2 duo, 2 gigs of ddr2 ram and newmobo, you can throw your old HDD in it. Stick with windows xp too

 

[GuitarDaddy]

NeoF P35 $85
E6750 $190
2GB DDR2-800 $37 AR
320gb HDD $75
20x DVD-R w/ lightscribe $38
8500gt $49 AR
NZXT Apollo Black gaming case $50 AR
430 Watt PS $30
Windows Vista Home Premium $110
Logitech Mouse and keyboad $14

Totals $678 from newegg

And of course if you order from newegg you can change up the components

 

[heyheybooboo]

Originally posted by: komputer
I was hoping to get some input on whether this system from Costco is cheaper than what I could hope to build on my own:

MSI P35 Neo-F 1333-FSB Mainboard
Intel® Core? 2 Duo Processor E6750 at 2.66GHz
2GB DDR2 SDRAM at 800MHz
320GB SATA II Hard Drive
18x DVD+/-RW drive with Double Layer Support
256MB NVIDIA® GeForce® 8500 GT graphics card with TV-out
450 Watt
Microsoft® Windows Vista Home Premium
NZXT Apollo-Black Gaming Tower
Logitech Keyboard
Logitech Optical Mouse
802.11g WLAN
Integrated 10/100/1000 Gigabit Ethernet LAN

Total: $799.99 (manufacturer is iBuypower)

I am looking to upgrade from a seriously old computer and want to stagger some purchases (need to buy a new monitor, will probably replace this graphics card)
Thoughts?

It's one of those toss-ups, yah know?

Free shipping to your door from Costco vs. $XX from the Egg. ??? Do you have to pay sales tax? You have to pay more $$$ up front and deal with the hassle of $60-$80 in rebates. Does the price include the fancy NZXT PS with fans and lights?? But then you (presumably) have to deal with replacing the 8500gt (which shouldn't be a problem around here with all the HTPCs that get built). Pre-built warranty . . . build your own box ...

Screw it. Flip a coin.