To Build or Buy?

senator91 · 12-14-2007, 06:32 PM

I'm just wondering if I'd be better off building a new computer or buying a proprietary system that would meet my needs. Could I beat the big name prices?
I've seem some pretty nice systems, complete with 20" LCD monitor, 2 gigs.of ram, and Intel Q6600 processor for a grand Can. I can't confirm the specs. on the other components, but could I beat that price?

**mep916** · 12-14-2007, 06:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by senator91

but could I beat that price?

I'm sure you could. Are you comfortable with building your own system?

Kilauea · 12-14-2007, 06:40 PM

Maybe, maybe not, it depends on the specs of that system... but it is always better to build your own system if you want quality and upgradability.

I find prebuilt can come in handy when you need all, including monitor and that u just want to surf the web(no gaming).

imsati · 12-14-2007, 06:52 PM

You can definitely beat that price, yes. Before trying your own Build though, ask yourself these questions:

How much do you know about general computer 'stuff' (hardware in this case more than software)?
How good are you at finding different ways to approach random difficulties (ie - troubleshooting)?
Why do you want to build your own System? (to learn, just to simply 'do it', etc.)
What do you plan on using the System for? (gaming, average-user web-surfing, music, etc.)

I am all for the self-build, personally, for those that are inclined to do so. However, if you just want something to use Google, listen to music, play Solitaire, and browse CF (yay, plugs!) with, I would strongly recommend looking into pre-built Systems this time of year, strictly for the price you'll pay (though a bit higher than than DIY) and the 'bundle' you'll get (tower, monitor, warranty, tech-support).

senator91 · 12-14-2007, 06:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mep916

I'm sure you could. Are you comfortable with building your own system?

I could probably follow the step by step guide to building my own. I think that, for me, I would probably have a bit of a time matching components properly. In that, would they perform well together. I was just figuring that the Q6600 CPU would come out to about $300 with tax as well as a 20" LCD monitor, so there wouldn't be a lot left over to buy good components to complete the package.
Where as, someone like HP puts together so many systems, they would get better prices. I find that the retailers don't provide much more info. other than the CPU and monitor however, so you can't really be sure if the other components are the best choice or just the cheapest choice.

**mep916** · 12-14-2007, 07:10 PM

Yeah, you make some good points. Sometimes the cost of a good monitor can kill an otherwise nice budget build. What is the most you are willing to spend on a PC? This thread has a number of builds ranging between $850 - $1,200. Most of the builds were complied using prices from Canadian websites. You're buying in Canada, right?

senator91 · 12-14-2007, 07:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mep916

Yeah, you make some good points. Sometimes the cost of a good monitor can kill an otherwise nice budget build. What is the most you are willing to spend on a PC? This thread has a number of builds ranging between $850 - $1,200. Most of the builds were complied using prices from Canadian websites. You're buying in Canada, right?

Yeah, I'm buying Canadian. That's also an interesting thread. The big difference
I'm noticing with the proprietary systems is the video card. Most seem fairly low end, which would probably lead to a under rated power supply if it were to be upgraded later. Lots to consider I find.

**mep916** · 12-14-2007, 07:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by senator91

I'm noticing with the proprietary systems is the video card. Most seem fairly low end, which would probably lead to a under rated power supply if it were to be upgraded later. Lots to consider I find.

Exactly. If that is a major concern to you (crappy video card, future upgrades), then you should definitely build your own.

Platinum · 12-14-2007, 09:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by senator91

I think that, for me, I would probably have a bit of a time matching components properly. In that, would they perform well together.

Well that's why we are here. If you are interested in building your own computer you should definitely post what you think you would want here. And people here would gladly tell you if that would work. Not all parts work with other parts, so I urge you to post the components here first.

**oscaryu1** · 12-14-2007, 11:25 PM

Custom

Customize it to your very needs, and save tons of $$$ and get a good case

12-14-2007, 06:32 PM	#1 (permalink)
senator91 New Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 20	To Build or Buy? I'm just wondering if I'd be better off building a new computer or buying a proprietary system that would meet my needs. Could I beat the big name prices? I've seem some pretty nice systems, complete with 20" LCD monitor, 2 gigs.of ram, and Intel Q6600 processor for a grand Can. I can't confirm the specs. on the other components, but could I beat that price?

12-14-2007, 06:40 PM	#3 (permalink)
Kilauea Gold Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Canada Age: 24 Posts: 446	Maybe, maybe not, it depends on the specs of that system... but it is always better to build your own system if you want quality and upgradability. I find prebuilt can come in handy when you need all, including monitor and that u just want to surf the web(no gaming). __________________ 5½ years old rig ? P4 1.7Ghz MSI MS-6547E 768mb RAM ATI Radeon 7200 40Gb Seagate HDD w/ Xp 7Gb Maxtor HDD w/ Linux TigerPlus 300 Watt PSU (never heard of such company) Broken LG CD-rom drive that seems to work sometimes

12-14-2007, 06:52 PM	#4 (permalink)
imsati Diamond Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: EHT, NJ Posts: 2,644	You can definitely beat that price, yes. Before trying your own Build though, ask yourself these questions: How much do you know about general computer 'stuff' (hardware in this case more than software)? How good are you at finding different ways to approach random difficulties (ie - troubleshooting)? Why do you want to build your own System? (to learn, just to simply 'do it', etc.) What do you plan on using the System for? (gaming, average-user web-surfing, music, etc.) I am all for the self-build, personally, for those that are inclined to do so. However, if you just want something to use Google, listen to music, play Solitaire, and browse CF (yay, plugs!) with, I would strongly recommend looking into pre-built Systems this time of year, strictly for the price you'll pay (though a bit higher than than DIY) and the 'bundle' you'll get (tower, monitor, warranty, tech-support). __________________ --Jay Gigabyte EP31-DS3L \| E4500 \| Masscool HSF paired with AS-5 80 GB SATA2 x 2 \| e-GeForce 7100 GS \| CM Elite 330 (gorgeous!) Triple Boot: Ubuntu 7.10/XP Home/Kubuntu 7.10 You do realize that everytime PC eye Posts, God kicks a puppy, and every time someone takes his advice, He smothers a kitten in front of a child, right? http://www.computerforum.com/114761-...tml#post922619

12-14-2007, 07:10 PM	#6 (permalink)
mep916 Moderator - F@H Guru Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Northern Cali Age: 28 Posts: 4,678	Yeah, you make some good points. Sometimes the cost of a good monitor can kill an otherwise nice budget build. What is the most you are willing to spend on a PC? This thread has a number of builds ranging between $850 - $1,200. Most of the builds were complied using prices from Canadian websites. You're buying in Canada, right? __________________ Q9450 @ 3.4 GHz \|\| Zalman CNPS9700 ASUS Rampage Formula XFX GTX 280 4GB Ballistix Tracer @ 850 MHz 2X 150GB WD Raptors (RAID 0) 1TB Hitachi Deskstar Antec Nine Hundred Case 750W Quad Silencer FOLDING FOR THE GOOD OF MANKIND:F@H Team 44358 \|\| Team Stats \|\| My Stats \|\| Hardware Contributions: GTX 280/PS3/P4

12-14-2007, 11:25 PM	#10 (permalink)
oscaryu1 Moderator Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Houston, Texas Age: 13 Posts: 10,154	Custom Customize it to your very needs, and save tons of $$$ and get a good case __________________ Core 2 Duo E2140 1.6GHz @ 3.04GHz GA-P31-DS3L pqi Turbo CL4 DDR2-800 2GB Sapphire HD3850 256MB Sony Writemaster DVD Burner EIDE Seagate Barracuda 80GB 7200.9 8MB SATII

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