prebuilt vs do it yourself

C

CopperKid

New Member
alright im looking into a new computer and its prebuilt vs diy... im in canada so newegg is out and i would like all the gear to come in boxes so no oem if it can be helped... for presbuilt im looking at either staples business depot best buy future shop or bestbyte unless some one else knows a better spot.. and for P.B i am kinda of weary of the compatibility or everything so what do you guys think.. i would like to be able to play h.l 2 and doom 4 those kind of games with out trouble at med graphics (hoping) also for music internet and all that stuff any imput would rock thx alot:D
 
well how much are you willing to spend?
If your budget is in the lower range ($400-$600) then prebuilt computers usually have nice rebates and some come with a decent monitor which can save you money since doing DIY with a small budget can end you up with a cheap or hand-me-down crappy monitor.
anything above $700-$800 could make a good DIY project since most of the time the performance models of manufactured computers are the ones that are overpriced while they keep the budget ones at a decent price.
 
ya my budget will be more then 400... i think my mom is halfing it with me:D hahaha or kinda half to a limit...im worried about the compatibility with it like acutally putting it together is easy enough isnt it? and im in ontario u?
yaa the monitor isnt a huuuuge deal but an lcd would be nicer but i wouldnt want a slow one if im going to game a bit u know? my 6 year old samsung is still going good hahaha crt
 
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If you're unsure with compatiability, just post a list of parts here (with links) before you buy. I did that several times before I built my computer. You can also ask for help with building, or, if you really aren't comfortable with building it yourself, you can take it into your local computer shop and they'll build it for you for a fee. A 17 inch LCD can be bought, with a little research, for about $100.
 
Build it yourself, it doesn't always turn out to be a ton cheaper, but you know everything thats in your computer and every program on your hard drive. As for where to shop tigerdirect.ca is a great online store available to canada, don't go local or else you will be way overcharged.
 
Alright heres my list...question and critisize all you want hahah
case
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=1289171&sku=A406-1028
or
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=1435578&sku=D15-2026
fans
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=2150692&sku=TC3J-2130
or
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=86147&sku=ULT31356
cpu
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=2207247
or
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=1446873
Ram
*i need some help with this i cant decide:D
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/Category/category_tlc.asp?CatId=10
HDD
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=2143105&sku=THD-250A2
or
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=1487964&sku=TSD-300M16
MOBO
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=2224204&sku=A455-2300
Monitor
* again i need help
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/category/category_slc.asp?CatId=2318
PSU
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=1566997&sku=A406-1046
or
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=905179&sku=A107-2000
CPU
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=2207247
Soundcard
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=1870099&CatId=107
Video Card
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=2512321&sku=P450-7892

Well i think thats it thanks alot you guys for all your help
 
Firstly, i'd favour a Core 2 Duo based system. The 7900GTO is worth the extra $30 over the GT as well.
 
One thing I would like to point out is warranty. Whenever you build a system on your own it is up to you to validate any warranty claims with the vendors individually. Most vendors will send you out to the manufacturer. Depending on the problem they may deem your warranty invalid due to abuse and not even exchange it, depends totally on the company/situation.

If you were to buy a prebuilt system from Dell or like HP business class you could get a standard three year warranty with it. To some this may be piece of mind, and others not a big deal.

The only time I really want to build a machine these days anymore is for gaming. If I was going to just use it for whatever I'd probably buy a generic prebuilt one and add a thing or two to it myself and call it quits. Then again, I already have too many computers so I won't be buying anymore for a while
 
well im not too sure on that im pretty sure when it all happend my mom is going like 50 50 with me:D i think id spend about 500 but that is a loose budget:P
edit:
and to be honest im not sure how much all of that on the list costs:P
 
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