Build or Buy

[Sethos]

A friend of mine I going to get a new computer...He found this ad for one that actually is very decent for only $700, then he got to wondering if he could build cheaper...now this pondering got me to wondering two things A) do you build or buy? and B) when was the last time you bought a puter?? In my quest for this answer I have come upon the ever present, ever popular: (hear I a drum roll??) Poll...

~Sethos

[VJ]

Well, I buy the components (duh ) and then assemble them myself. Last time I bought a computer was in 1999, and even then I put all cards in it myself (mainboard/cpu was assembled in case, which was about it ). Now I just go out and buy a mainboard, cpu, ... the lot.

It is not necessarily cheaper, but it allows me to select *all* components.


Jörg

[Fat Tone]

Build. More fun, more chances for upgrades ( ), better components.

[SpiralDragon]

Build...

havent bought a PC since 1994

i like the idea of knowing exactly what goes into my system and puting thing together the way i want them to

[Jammrock]

Build...

I'm a freak when it comes to control over the parts I plant inside my case (and what case I use).

Whether it's cheaper or not depends on a lot of things.

1) Are you picky about what goes into the case?

2) How much upgradablility do you want for the future?

3) What are you using the computer for?

If you're just getting an ineternet PC, a family machine, or something simple like that, and you're not techno savvy (or at least don't know someone who is willing to help), buying is always better.

If on the otherhand you are a serious gamer, building is always better. Unless you can't, in which case you need something like a Falcon Northwest or Alienware if you want a serious gaming rig.

As for cost wise, they are about the same in the end. Builders like Dell, HP and Gateway have to include overhead costs into their products like warranty, building, shipping, man time, R&D and some form of profit margin. They counter this by buying in bulk and selling in bulk, thus keeping prices competative. Builders on the other hand have to pay a premium for their parts, but don't have to pay for overhead costs, thus evening out the cost to roughly the same of the big builders.

Except for gaming rigs, in which case building it yourself is usually a bit cheaper.

Confused yet?

Jammrock

[3dfx]

Last PC I bought was in 1996(let me rephrase that ..hehe the last PC my parents bought ..lol) and then I took it to bits to see how it worked ..lol and it went from there

[Tjalfe]

One thing to keep in mind.. if you build it with him, you are the source of technical support.. if he buys it elsewhere, you can send him there, if something messes up, and you don't feel like fixing it
As for a computer for yourself.. for sure build it.. last I bought was in 1995.. only to get the 3 year warrenty

[Brian Ellis]

For video work, I build. In fact, on reflection, the only computer I've bought in last ~10 years for myself has been a laptop.

Building gives me the components I want and not the cheap and nasty trash that HP, Dell, Gateway or the corner shop think I want. It allows me to put the money into the important components and I don't have to have trash that's no earthly use to me.

Perhaps not the moment to suggest this (SARS), if the computer does not need the latest and most top-notch components, you can earn yourself a vacation at the same time. Take a cheap flight to Bangkok and buy all the components there: they will mostly be about last year's vintage, but half the price. There is a mall there with about 400 computer shops, mostly selling nothing but components which are bought in as manufacturers' surplus stock. I know a guy who built a respectable P4 1.5 GHz machine for a tad over $300 and it zooms!

[Belwarrior]

erm.. never bought any pc components just because it was very cheap unless i intend to throw or give it away. Buying something that is expensive is not a good idea as well.

Building a PC is almost always better than buying one.
Decide what you going to do with the pc, then buy components that are adequate for the usage. eg, the graphics card - u need not get a top of the line... just get an ati 8500 or gf4Ti4200 these should last u a while.

What i would do when i have to be very very cheap, is to get a very good board (amd supporting to 3000+ or intel 3GHz) and plug in a duron or celeron (so can upgrade later when prices drop or the system is too slow) + 256mb PC2700 DDR + 60GB Hdd (min 40GB) + casing with at least 350W power supply + GF2MX400 64MB (these are still good, tested with C&C generals:P) + 17" Samsung 753DF + accessories set me back (Singapore $900) = around US$550

So I am pretty sure you can build a good system below US$700 even after allowing for the price differences between our countries and you know what parts are going inside your rig.

[VJ]

Originally posted by tjalfe
One thing to keep in mind.. if you build it with him, you are the source of technical support.. if he buys it elsewhere, you can send him there, if something messes up, and you don't feel like fixing it

Sneeky... but very true ! Great piece of thinking; most of us are talking about their own computer...



Jörg

[Dr Mordrid]

Build. Never bought a "built" PC.

Dr. Mordrid

[ZokesPro]

Build all the way!

[cjolley]

Bought my last PC in 1989
chuck

[KRSESQ]

Build.

Ain't no other way, baby.

Kevin

[Ozbreeze]

we bought one from Dell in '96 i think...since then been building them (for ourselves).....tried building a few for friends and family and they drove us crazy with technical questions, don't recommend that. now we refer them to Dell so they can have tech support from them. Ya love family and friends, but they can be complete morons with computers...let someone else deal with them