Cheaper to buy a complete machine or build one?

[DaveW]

You can save money & get far higher quality parts by ordering the right
parts and building it yourself.
HOWEVER, this assumes that you have built several systems yourself before
and are good at troublehooting modern parts compatibility problems.

 

[John Doe]

I don't think you can save much building low end, but you can
build a high end box for about 20% less than a pre-built. You're
paying for labor,

Assembly-line labor.

software

Probably less than what you will pay for a retail copy of Windows.

and tech support

If you want to call it tech support, from India.

when you buy a pre-built

Building your own box could be a nervous first experience, but it
really isn't much more difficult than plugging in a lamp and
turning the switch to turn it on since that's all you're really
doing,

That's partly true and partly nonsense. If you're talking about the
simple physical insertion of a video card into a mainboard, that's
more or less correct. But the process of "building your own box" is
much more complicated than that.

plugging things into the motherboard and to each other and
flipping a switch to get it going. There are plenty of sites which
give detailed explanations of how to build, and after you've done
it, you'll kick yourself for not having done it before.

That's assuming you know which components fit your needs. That's
assuming all of the components will work together. That's assuming
none of the parts are defective. That's assuming you don't damage
them in the process.

The problem might come about when buying components;

That and many more potential problems. Try reading this group.

And if you have problems, post them on the relevant newsgroup and
someone usually will help you out.

Having another computer nearby connected to the Internet certainly
helps. Don't expect to use the one you're building.

 

[Christopher Range]

I want a very powerful computer, and am wondering if I can save money
building it myself?

Thanks very much....

The answer to this question depends on several things.

1. If you have the skill to build your own, then, build your own.

2. If you don't have the skill to build your own, then, don't try it.
It cannot be approached like picking apples in an apple orchard or,
oranges from an orange grove.

3. Remember the phrase 'You get what you pay for'. Regardless of
building your own, that phrase applies to either way.

4. While you can make specifics about you want in your PC, regardless of
whether you were to buy it from Dell, Compaq/HP, IBM, Sun, Gateway,
etc., the problem will invariably be, when you need to get it
repaired/upgraded, that, you can allow yourself to become a target for
getting ripped off, either by deceptive individuals at a local computer
store or, by the company that you buy the computer from.

If you happen to call the computer company for Tech Support, they will
ask you for your credit card and, sometimes charge $25+/incident.

Read a book on how to build your own and, all the particulars behind
building your own.

Christopher

 

[`AMD tower]

oops, my bad, it was anilenware. You can get them here:
http://www.alienware.com/Promotion_Pages/exclusive/main.aspx?&s_kwcid=alienware computer|416542446

This from a google just now:
Dell buys Alienware
After weeks of speculation around the web, Dell has finally bought US-based
gaming PC maker Alienware. The remarkable similarity between the design of
Alienware's and Dell's web sites must surely have been a big hint, but it's
still quite an interesting development. Alienware will continue to operate
as an independent subsidiary. Whether this will have any effect on Dell's
plans for its high-end XPS PCs is not known.

At least it might now put paid to the endless "will Dell use AMD
processors?" conversations - Alienware sells both Intel and AMD-based PCs
and notebooks.

 

[`AMD tower]

gaurenteed when you buy a dell,,,,,some kinda voodoo is going to

happen....
and not in your favor

ha ha ha! good one.

 

[Christopher Range]

I want a very powerful computer, and am wondering if I can save money
building it myself?

Thanks very much....

Another thing about Dell, read this link:

http://www.techspot.com/news/23114-dell-knew-of-battery-failures-in-2005.html

Christopher

 

[RussellS]

Just to set the record straight, Dell bought Alienware around 7 months ago,
and HP announced a week ago that they are buying VoodooPC.

 

[justin david]

Assembly-line labor.


Probably less than what you will pay for a retail copy of Windows.


If you want to call it tech support, from India.


That's partly true and partly nonsense. If you're talking about the
simple physical insertion of a video card into a mainboard, that's
more or less correct. But the process of "building your own box" is
much more complicated than that.


That's assuming you know which components fit your needs. That's
assuming all of the components will work together. That's assuming
none of the parts are defective. That's assuming you don't damage
them in the process.


That and many more potential problems. Try reading this group.


Having another computer nearby connected to the Internet certainly
helps. Don't expect to use the one you're building.

You're stating the obvious.

 

[`AMD tower]

dell uses standard power supplys now. I think the ps problem was in 2001 or
2002.

 

[CharlesBlackstone]

Possibly... However, according to a recent PC-Magazine article, those who
build high-end computers usually choose higher-end parts than the big mfgrs
like Dell, and so may wind up paying more rather than less.

About 2 years ago I found a custom mfgr that built me one to my specs for
less than I could have bought the parts at Newegg, Monarch, etc.

OTOH, you may get more satisfaction from your own build, so don't make cost
the ONLY decision variable.

Well, thanks, but I have neither interest nor time for building my own
beyond saving money. This thread has already convinced me to buy
prebuilt since the time to build one appears to overshadow any small
price/performance savings, if there are any at all.

Actually, I should correct that....I do have a great deal of
interest--I'd really enjoy getting into building my own little
superbox, but my career doesn't give me this luxury (or a few others)
for a while. My career also demands if I have a problem, someboyd fixes
it within a day. Ergo, Dell (even IBM's warranty work can't compare).

Thanks.