Should I just buy a new desktop computer or build one?

T

toast316

New Member
I'm looking to upgrade from what I currently have and don't want to spend a lot of money (less than $400). Basically, I'm torn between just buying a decent computer for $300 (I found one at Office Depot with an Allendale E2180 2.0 dual core, 2 GB of memory, Vista Premium, etc) that would fit my needs well (which basically are surfing the internet, word processing, and some multimedia) or building my own computer from parts with the same Allendale E2180 processor, a cheap motherboard that I can overclock, 2 GB of memory, a decent video card, a good power supply, and a SATA hard drive with about 500GB. I already have the case and a DVD drive. I figure once I get all of the parts, it will cost around the same as the computer in the store (an Acer AM1641) but will be better, because it will have a bigger hard drive and I will be able to overclock the system to get better performance out of it.

To go into more detail, here are the specs for the Acer:

E2180 2.0ghz processor
2GB DDR2 667 RAM
320GB hard drive
DVD multiburner
8 in 1 card reader
6 USB 2.0 ports
Graphics integrated with the motherboard
Windows Vista with SP1

And for the computer I would build:

E2180 2.0ghz processor likely overclocked to 2.2-3.0ghz depending on cooling requirements
2GB DDR2 667 or 800 RAM
500 GB SATA hard drive
DVD multiburner
4-6 USB 2.0 ports (what the case has)
A mid range graphics card (maybe 256MB)
Windows XP/Linux dual boot

I should also add that the Acer will need a graphics card as well, so that likely bumps up the total at least $50 to about $350 plus tax. I will also be dual booting Windows XP and Windows Vista if I get the Acer.

I guess I'm torn for a few reasons. On the one hand, I want to buy the Acer because it's close to the specs that I want, has Windows Vista, would only require a graphics card, and most importantly, is ready to use right out of the box.

On the other hand, I want to build my own computer because it would be more powerful, would probably be cheaper, would have the components that I want in it, and choosing the motherboard would allow me flexibility if I want to upgrade it in the future.

I guess the main thing I'm having trouble deciding is whether I want to go for the instant gratification and get the less powerful Acer, or invest the time necessary to carefully select the parts that I want, have them shipped to my house, and then build the computer. I'm sure I can build the computer, so that's not an issue, it's just that I've wanted a new computer for a long time and don't know if I want to wait for all of the parts to get here and build it or just buy the computer and take a performance hit since I won't be able to overclock the Acer motherboard (the E2180 is still a pretty decent processor, considering I won't be doing any heavy gaming).

I also want to try out Windows Vista as well. I have experience with it, but I want to see what it's like on a day to day basis, but I don't know if I want to spend maybe an extra $100 and take the performance hit just for Windows Vista. One last complicating factor is the fact that if I buy the Acer I will want to dual boot it with Windows XP, and I don't know if I will be able to find the drivers for XP for the computer. Also, I will probably add a Linux distro to the Acer as well, but that's not really an issue, as I will do that with either computer.

This is a lot of stuff to go through, but if anyone actually read this and has an opinion on what I should do, it would be appreciated.
 
daisymtc said:
Build your own, I am not sure if you can OC Acer
Click to expand...

Thanks for your opinion, as I am having trouble deciding which one to do. As for OCing an Acer, or any OEM computer in general, I doubt it would be possible beyond maybe some software based tweaking, but I don't have that much experience.
 
Do a build,

What is your budget??? and i can do you a build.

Do you need monitor, mouse + keyboard????
 
just a noob said:
build it, store bought computers are pretty much craptastic for price compaired to home built
Click to expand...

Three for build it...and I had to laugh at "craptastic" BTW. I don't know much about Acer's rep however, so I couldn't say if I agree with you about Acer specifically, but in general I would have to agree that you usually get more for your money with home built.
 
cohen said:
Do a build,

What is your budget??? and i can do you a build.

Do you need monitor, mouse + keyboard????
Click to expand...

Four for build...my budget is between $300 and $400 USD, with a goal of getting closer to $300 than $400.

As for the monitor, mouse and keyboard, I have all of those, along with a case and DVD Burner.
 
daisymtc said:
By the way if the Acer only cost $300, may worth buying...
It cost $450-500 to build with your spec...
Click to expand...

Err, I guess you've changed to "buy" then?

I actually crunched the numbers, and it looks like build will be a somewhat cheaper.

For build, the price is about $330, and may be less depending on if Newegg discounts the shipping because it's a bundle plus a few rebates on some of the parts (Newegg is awful in actually processing rebates however, so I'm not counting on it)

For buy, the initial price is $325, since that $300 includes $25 in sales tax. Plus, I also have to add a decent graphics card onto the system, so that's another $50, bringing the total up to $375. A bit of a difference when you look at it.

All prices are in US dollars BTW.

In addition, I contacted Acer about installing Windows XP on a computer shipped with Windows Vista and they said that I may have problems. Luckily, they ship similiar models with XP so perhaps if I have to I'll just download the XP drivers for the other computers and use them on the Acer I buy, since I have to assume that most of the parts are the same.

Thanks all.
 
i got a dell e520 (core2duo) , put in a new psu (some cutting involved), 4gb ram and an 8600 and it runs FEAR and other good games (beware the 8800 wont fit)
 
Well if you buy the Acer the mother board will be crap. .. for one...
and if you buy decent components in your build it will last longer
and you might be able to upgrade later... and have you looked at barebones kits
well worth the value... if you already have some basic stuff...
 
I would only buy a commercial system if I was in a rush. (If I didn't have time to do it). Even if I don't have very much time, I would still manage to build one. I have been horrified with what I have seen in commercial systems (not commerical grade- like commercial duty Sanitaire vacuums and Speed Queen washers - definitely not - it's built in a factory by a company is what I mean) I want to upchuck if I even think about a commercial system. Typical 'scary things' I see in the typical commerical system are:
- no-name hard drives
- underpowered, no-name power supplies
- motherboards micromillimeters away from the case
- no heatsink on chipsets (not as common, but still)
- I/O ports designed in a way that the PC manufacturer would be making more of a profit
off of you (plugging in, say, a VGA monitor ever so gently and managing to bend or break
the port connector off the motherboard, rendering it useless - gotta call Customer Support for a new motherboard!)
- On laptops: keyboards that bend and flex - I had a Dell Inspiron and rid myself of it because of this; the power bricks get too hot, the unit itself is made out of cheap plastic and the lids on most models (minus Thinkpads) ask for something heavy to rest on it so it would ruin your display

Now you can't really "build" your own laptop at this point - it's only just a barebone. And you can't be taking your screwdriver with you to Staples, Wal-Mart or wherever else you are planning to buy your PC and demand that you inspect the innards. It's so much easier just to build a PC.
 
toast316 said:
Four for build...my budget is between $300 and $400 USD, with a goal of getting closer to $300 than $400.

As for the monitor, mouse and keyboard, I have all of those, along with a case and DVD Burner.
Click to expand...

OK, i'll do a build in just over 2 hours, at school :P,
 
no heatsink on chipsets (not as common, but still)
Click to expand...

agree with you. Dell e510s didnt have one on the northbridge (p4 ht based system) and it used to be 90c + hot, the e520s (dual core) now sport a new heatsink on it so its nearer 60-70c
 
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