New computer- Build or buy?

[storysunfolding]

My computer has recently had the video card go. Granted it was during a move and the computer may have been roughed up (not too sure about the last part). And wouldn't you know it, the video card warranty expired just... wait... 4.5 years ago? Ok, so no complaints.

My computer has treated me well for the most part but I have noticed it's a bit slower than my work computer (ouch). The home computer is a whopping 1.7 ghtz with 1 gb of ram built by dell in early 2001. Upgrades since... software only.

So I want a new computer. Do I buy a new one and get the all in one package with a fancy lcd monitor (current one is a 60 lbs clunker), new software and everything I want for $800. Or should I spend that money upgrading the old one?

What would you do?

[jonnythan]

Build a new one. Save money and get better components at the same time.

You can get a nice Core 2 Duo machine with 2GB of RAM, a 300+GB hard drive, DVD burner, a good video card, and 19" widescreen LCD monitor for about that price.

I do this professionally and would be more than happy to help you with finding components and so forth.

[storysunfolding]

I guess all I really need is a motherboard, processor, memory and new video card to upgrade the old bird. I don't need a DVD burner, and my old clunker will suffice for the time being. How much do you think it would cost to get a decent setup there with one of the video cards that doubles as a tivo?

[jonnythan]

I guess all I really need is a motherboard, processor, memory and new video card to upgrade the old bird. I don't need a DVD burner, and my old clunker will suffice for the time being. How much do you think it would cost to get a decent setup there with one of the video cards that doubles as a tivo?

If you built it in 01, you will definitely need a new power supply, particularly if you want a new video card. ATX12V 2.0 was not in existence back then and is all but required for a new build.

I'd also heavily suggest a new hard drive. A new hard drive is very cheap ($50 or so will get you 250GB) and much, much faster than anything produced in 2001. Not to mention more reliable - I would not put any faith in a 6+ year old hard drive. Not that I put much faith in a new one. Backup your data. Do it now.

Anyway, it really depends on what you want/need. Here's a quick sample:

Power supply $50
Core 2 Duo E6750 $210
Motherboard $150
2GB RAM $65
19" LCD $175
Video card - can be anything from $50 to $450 depending on what level of gaming performance you want. $50-$75 will get you a decent card.


If you want a TV tuner as well, that's something additional. $50-$100 will get you a decent one. Viewing methods will dictate which one to get; if you want to watch recorded HD shows on a 50" plasma, that will require a different card than wanting to watch SD shows in a window on your monitor.

[dzervit]

Building a PC ain't what it used to be. Margins are razor thin and the savings aren't what they used to be. The only reason to build a PC yourself these days is if you want monster power for games, video editing, etc... and need/require top-shelf components so everything runs like a champ. Oh, and by video editing I mean REAL editing, not your DVR/TiVo like recording on a windows media PC.

If your just "Joe User" then order up a $600 Dell special and call it a day. Tons of pre-bundled software, tech support, extended warrenty... no worries or cares how its built or what's inside.

[s0crates82]

Building a PC ain't what it used to be. Margins are razor thin and the savings aren't what they used to be. The only reason to build a PC yourself these days is if you want monster power for games, video editing, etc... and need/require top-shelf components so everything runs like a champ. Oh, and by video editing I mean REAL editing, not your DVR/TiVo like recording on a windows media PC.

If your just "Joe User" then order up a $600 Dell special and call it a day. Tons of pre-bundled software, tech support, extended warrenty... no worries or cares how its built or what's inside.

+1

I'd say buy a laptop. Pick anything off the shelf for less than a grand at your local bestbuy/circuit city/future shop/whatever.

You'll have lower power consumption than most any desktop, you'll have something that you can fold up and put away if you need deskspace, it's a portable DVD player, you can take it on trips, you can move it around the house... there's really no downside.

If you need lots of storage for MP3's or video, you can buy an external drive REALLY cheaply nowadays, and just leave that at the desk you keep the laptop at.

Unless you're a hardcore cutting edge gamer-type, you don't really need a desktop anymore.

[JC Viper]

Many of the OEM machines in the $800 range tend to be limited on the upgradeable side of things. Plus the monitor that is included is very budget oriented meaning things tend to be washed out or not adjustable.

You build your own or upgrade the parts you get what you want to put in the case. Then again some Dell's or HP systems are quite nice for the price but you would need a better video card if you want to play games on it.

I'm ready for Crysis!! Or at least I hope my 8800GTS is. Everyone is saying quad core is great for the future when things get multithreaded but I think I'll stick with my dual core.

[Skier]

If you are ok with not having tech support, build it yourself. You don't really save a lot of money going home-built over Dell, since Dell pays so much less for components, due to sheer volume.

If you want someone to call in India when something goes wrong,get a Dell.

[flynrider]

I saved about 50% when I built my first computer. That was in 1988 Nowadays, the big manufacturers turn out such a volume that they can often build them for less than individuals can.

Whether to build or not often comes down to a choice of components. I'm a "Joe User" type (no hi res games or specialized requirements), and I've had good luck buying (inexpensive) off the shelf, ready to go units. The one thing I like about these (as opposed to building a one-off system myself) is that the various components that make up the system have all been tested and are warranted to work together.

One thing I don't buy are the ones packaged with monitors. You can do a lot better for a few bucks more by buying your own monitor.

[Derail]

Where do you live? I'm trying to sell 2 computers so I can buy a laptop to start college in 2 weeks. Im in orlando though