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  1. #1

    Do you build or buy your computers?

    I have always built my own computers and have had 0 problems with the ones I build myself. Well I see people who buy seem to have a lot of problems with them. Recently I was thinking of just buying a Compaq and saving myself some time, any comments?

    Let me ask some questions here also:

    1. If you do buy who do you think is the best manufacturer (IBM, Dell, Gateway, Compaq/HP, etc.)
    2. Do you have more porblems with computers you buy or build
    3. Who do you think is the best motherboard manufacturer (I'm partial to MSI and I hate those piece of crap DFI mobo's)

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Mar 2003
    Location
    Atlanta, GA
    Posts
    3,419
    I've had the same PC for the past 4 years, bought, before I knew much about PCs.

    Once I get enough money, I'll start off with a barebones and build up from there.
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  3. #3
    Join Date
    Jun 2003
    Location
    Canada
    Posts
    930
    I had a 'bought' IBM before I made the PC I am on now. I can't really say much as the IBM lasted 4 years and then it died on me.

    Building your on computer can be significantly cheaper or more expensive if you don't know where to shop for the parts.

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Mar 2003
    Location
    Canada
    Posts
    9,851
    Cheaper is a matter of point of view. My time is worth money to me. Shopping around for bargain computer parts and assembling computers costs money.
    I used to build my own but now I buy. My latest is from Dell and I've had no problems at all in 15 months.

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Sep 2002
    Posts
    1,056
    I usually buy my computers. I can't be bothered with the hassle of building my own. The last computer I bought was from Alienware. I doubt I'll buy another one from there though, because its quite expensive. Don't get me wrong though, its a great computer and was well worth the money. I just don't care to much for the extra costs bringing it into canada.

    RMF

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Mar 2002
    Posts
    272
    We build, never had a problem until last year.

    Built an AMD that kept over heating even with a volcano fan and good ventilation, then we found that the chip set was problematic with the video card.

    We also have a wholesale relationship with Dell as our clients like
    the brand.

    We have more service calls with the Dells than the generics...
    Why, I’m afraid I can’t explain myself, sir, because I’m not myself, you know... - Lewis Carroll

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Aug 2003
    Posts
    2,071
    Build is much cheaper in my books... You get all the good parts you want and you put it together yourself

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Feb 2004
    Posts
    44
    I tend to build my own, so that I have control over exactly what I get. That's the most important thing to me. With name-brand boxes, there are sometimes incompatibilities, or problems should you ever decide to upgrade.

    I've had custom-build at local shops, where I pick the parts and they build. Usually, they make mistakes or short-change me somehow. EG: I order a MB with onboard RAID1 and two identical HDs. When I get it, I see that the two HDs are Master/Slave and they kept for themselves the second good-quality ATA100 cable.

    That is one of the more annoying things... they always keep the extra parts that come with the MB and case. When you come to upgrade, you never have enough screws or other parts on hand. I saw one shop charge a guy $2 for one of the little screws that should have been his anyways.

    If you are a control freak like me, you should build your own.

  9. #9
    Join Date
    Feb 2004
    Posts
    44
    Originally posted by DefiantPc
    We have more service calls with the Dells than the generics...
    This has been my experience also.

  10. #10
    Join Date
    Mar 2000
    Location
    San Antonio, Texas
    Posts
    3,690
    Bought and built
    I did purchase a Dell laptop about 7 months ago and Ive been real happy with it.
    Ive bought desktops before but the last few years my son has built them and I dont think I would ever purchase another desktop at a store again Welll, unless I caught a price that was too good to turn down.
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  11. #11
    Join Date
    Jan 2003
    Location
    Montréal, Québec, Canada
    Posts
    1,428
    Built.
    Can you be scared half to death twice?

  12. #12
    Join Date
    Dec 2002
    Location
    NY, NY
    Posts
    3,974
    I built all the pc's i ever had, and they all were great!

    i would recommend building to anyone, much better than buying

  13. #13
    Join Date
    Feb 2004
    Posts
    44
    Originally posted by ilyash
    I built all the pc's i ever had, and they all were great!

    i would recommend building to anyone, much better than buying
    I tend to recommend name-brand to people who don't know how to build. If they're a good friend, I might even build for them.

    There's a lot of good namebrand notebooks with wireless, etc. for an affordable price. Nothing like sitting on the sofa or in bed while you're on wireless.

  14. #14
    Every computer in my house is built besides the sony one... but that doesn't count because I've exchanged like everypart out of it for a new one. If you want something that is easily upgradable and you know you have good parts in it, its always wise to build your own. Even if you've never done it before there are plenty of instructions with all the parts to tell you how to put it together, and pretty much all the parts can only go in one way.

  15. #15
    Join Date
    Feb 2003
    Location
    Connecticut
    Posts
    5,460
    I build my own. May be more expensive, but I like mixing-and-matching parts, so I get exactly what I want.

  16. #16
    I also build my own, I find it a lot cheaper and much better quality!

  17. #17
    Originally posted by ./thename
    I also build my own, I find it a lot cheaper and much better quality!
    Ditto. That's what I do.

  18. #18
    Join Date
    Jun 2003
    Location
    Miami Florida
    Posts
    383
    I've always WANTED to build my own vs. buying, but just can't afford a new PC. Still stuck on the "bought" AMD 1100+, which has lasted three years as it slowly trashes itself. Gotta love blue screens, should go with the build if you know how to.

  19. #19
    Join Date
    Dec 2001
    Location
    Arizona
    Posts
    551
    Build. That way I know the exact hardware, I know the costs, and its usually cheaper for me in the end.

  20. #20
    So does anyone want to answer the second part of my question, if you build:

    #1. What motherboard brand do you prefer? (MSI, Asus, Gigabyte, etc.)

    #2. Any special type of case?

  21. #21
    Join Date
    Jan 2002
    Location
    Port Elgin, Ontario, Canada
    Posts
    754
    Build. I enjoy piecing together and installing OS from scratch, plus you get exactly what you want and for a lot cheaper.

    I have had terrible experiences with Compaq/HP. From talking to friends, I get the impression that Dell is the most trouble-free brand (but they are only Intel ).
    -Chris
    "There are 10 kinds of people; those who understand binary, and those who don't."

  22. #22
    well I bought my first real pc. about 7 yrs ago and I still feel like I am being raped over that one. every since then I build my own

  23. #23
    I prefer the Asus motherboards

  24. #24
    Join Date
    Mar 2002
    Posts
    272
    Asus motherboards
    No special case as long as it has a good power supply.
    Why, I’m afraid I can’t explain myself, sir, because I’m not myself, you know... - Lewis Carroll

  25. #25
    Join Date
    Jul 2003
    Location
    Liverpool, England, UK.
    Posts
    2,571
    I build, suppose its because im a qualified computer engineer and do it as a hobby.

    Yes, nothing compares to Asus motherboards! Still using my A7V8X Deluxe that I bought in October 2002 and it supports just about everything that is out now

    Always liked Antec cases, currently have an Antec PlusView 1000AMG with an Antec TruePower 550Watt PSU on my main PC. Also like the CoolerMaster range of cases.

    Always buy OCZ memory.

    If I ever buy a PC however, it would always be HP, their support is quite simply amazing (it is here in the UK anyway). Have bought myself an HP Centrino laptop and love it.

    When building a PC for myself, I always wait to save the extra cash to get the best parts available. Im also quite a cad overclocker although tbh i do it for fun as I dont have much need for it because of the small amount of time I spend playing games etc...
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