I had to raise this Q.
What do you guys think... is it better to buy a computer or buy the parts and built it together.

What does DELL really do?
They have some deal, so they get parts cheaper.

They put the parts together... save you some hassle.
And there is a 3 year Guarantee.



Let’s see:

ABIT NF7 2.0 Nforce 2 AMD - The Motherboard
AMD ATHLON XP 2500 ORIGINAL BOX - The AMD
GIGACUBE 9200C3 Radeon 9200 128MB - The Graphics Card

Antec High Performance 1080B AMG (Tsunami 350Watt Power Supplier included) - The Box

==============================================

TOTAL PRICE: 520 USD $$$

All you need for this is RAM, a HD, and a monitor+keyboard+mouse...
All of which you can use from your old computer and upper grade when you have more money.

So you get a 2.5GHz beast of a computer for a small price.
Now since you got yourself dirty by building it why not overclock it?

The box I mentioned above is one of the best out there.
It comes with 3 fans so the cooling is not a problem.

So all you need to do after you put that thing together is to go into the bios and tweak some things.

You could get this thing running at over 3GHz...


Now tell me.
How much DELL charge for a 3GHz AMD, with a great box, great motherboard, and a dream of a graphics card? Over a thousand? ;)


I don't see why buying a computer is better.
You can use the money you save by building it for improving it even more... or buying games or whatever.

Building computers isn't hard, it takes some patience that's all.


I would like to know the point of view of the people that rather buy it. I'm just curios.


And please don't say: "because of the 3 year Guarantee"
or "I don't know how to build computers" - there is almost nothing to know, its just like LEGO when you were a kid.

First of all, I don't think Dell has AMD boxes. Correct me if I am wrong on this one, but I pretty sure all their boxes shipped with Intel chipset.

Deal home system have operating system along with it and can be installed in any other Dell manufactured system.

As you said, the warranty service. For me, this is one of the very most important concerns.

From most of the Dell machines I bought, they are extremely quiet. Unless you want to get a expensive case, Dell would be a nice place to go with.

Screwless case and easy to update parts.

Providing you confident doing so, Build....u get a better understanding on your machiene and the way it works that way.

The box I mentioned is also great.
Has a front door, and comes with 3 fans.

I read reviews of it, never came across a bad one.


I never used DELL, I don't know about its box.
But I belive that this one is just as good.

Antec High Performance 1080B AMG

Here is a pic: http://www.pandas.co.il/images/plus_1080amg.jpg


www.Alienware.com use it I belive :D

Well, I always built my own PC, even the very first 486... so, that gives you an idea where I stand...

Dell uses Intel; and recently stated they have no plans to use AMD.

I prefer to build. Then you have a feel for what to do if a part breaks or something. Which by the way nothing has broken on this comp yet.

If you're familliar enough with a pc to do so, build 'em. it's cheaper and it'll save you a TON of money in the future.

I picked up my board/cpu/3 fans for right around $200 (Xeon 2g), spent a little bit much on the ddr, but it's a beautiful thing. Over time I've added this and that to it, and I'd be surprised if I couldn't sell it for 3-4x what I actually PAID for it (not that I'd do it).

Again, if you've got the knowhow, build it. If not, find someone that does, have them help you out. That way you'll be familliar enough with the parts and all that to replace them if the need arises, and you'll know EXACTLY the performance your pc can give.

:D

So I guess I'm right then.
Building is way better, and cheaper.


I just don't get then why people will spend x2 or x3 for somebody to built them the computer.

There are lots of big guys out there who are make a lot of money on juts putting the parts togther and testing.

IBM, DELL and others...


Its wierd. :)

If you are capable, I would strongly recommend you build it yourself.

Re: Dell systems, if you get a Dell, out of the box it will perform a significant percentage lower than it should because of their configuration. (I forget the exact number, but I think it may be as high as 30% lower)

my friend built mine and I havent had much problems for four years.....I also get free onsite maintenance if required in exchange for a couple of beers ....once the ups battery had to be replaced....and another time the scanner power unit supply unit burnt out.

Yap.
And if you built your own you can overclock it (if you know how) to work better. :D