Question: Build your Own or Buy Complete?

[AlexGold]

I usually buy my gear from official retailers because of the warranty. I got 2 PCs and both of them have 3 years warranty. I've had them for 2 years now and so far no problems have occured.
I am also tempted to build my own system but I don't like to own expensive stuff without any kind of warranty.

[Nih]

Originally Posted by AlexGold

I usually buy my gear from official retailers because of the warranty. I got 2 PCs and both of them have 3 years warranty. I've had them for 2 years now and so far no problems have occured.
I am also tempted to build my own system but I don't like to own expensive stuff without any kind of warranty.

usually if you buy good parts they all have a warranty.

[Musashi815]

Originally Posted by Nih

gateway you say huh? never really considered a gateway to be a real worthwhile long lasting machine.. but i'll take a look at one. - ; )

I'm waiting until Windows 7 Release ether way so that whatever laptop i purchase is preloaded with windows 7.

here's a link to the system. http://reviews.cnet.com/laptops/gate...-32976305.html

[Nih]

Originally Posted by Musashi815

here's a link to the system. http://reviews.cnet.com/laptops/gate...-32976305.html

oh that does look like a nice one for a good price even. - ; )

[safara]

Dunno why, but I always spec stuff out using the Barebones systems at www.novatech.co.uk

But I would love to hear of some other UK based chaps that do stuff like this.

[Rednexi]

I am in a same situation that you are, and i am gonna make my own rig...

There are good reasons doing so:

• Saving money (sing the apprentice theme here...)
• Maybe getting to use some old components -> saving money (sing the apprentice theme here...)
• Not having to buy extra components which you already have -> saving money (sing the apprentice theme here...)
• You get to specify the specs to the mark
• You get knowledgeable of your system

Ofc prequisite to do so is to have fiddled with computers a bit before, so can avoid the smokes, thus can actually save money.

There is a bit work involved, so if you count monetary value to your work hours, you might not save money as much as you though (time is money).

Well there are those, cant think of more right now...

[MrWizard]

The trick with building your own is that you've got to have the money to burn at the same time you do your research. I made this mistake with my current PC. If you won't have the money for another 6 months, keep up with the tech, but don't bother writing up your wishlist just yet. New stuff comes out, prices drop, things are bound to change. Certain components can be picked out now, but I find its easier to wait and buy everything at once.

On the pre-built side, alot of machines these days are pretty beefy and can handle most games if you make sure you know whats in the box before you buy it. I bought a $350 HP desktop from www.newegg.com for a friend of mine and with minor upgrades, it was able to handle just about anything I could throw at it. If I blow it up, I can always take out my upgrades, send it back under warranty and when they ask what happened, play the dumb consumer.

End run, there are pros and cons to both options. Choose your path wisely.

[DoubleZero]

I've always built my own and all my friends computers I would never buy from a shop.
1: Its more expensive and I don't see the point in paying the extra £'s to someone else when it can go towards better hardware or even peds
2: I like to research and review the hardware available at the time of build and I know exactly what I'm getting.
3: I also like to mod my case I currently have an acrylic case which looks cool

[Blake Seven]

Originally Posted by safara

Dunno why, but I always spec stuff out using the Barebones systems at www.novatech.co.uk

But I would love to hear of some other UK based chaps that do stuff like this.

Novatech recently opened an office near me and I popped down to see them.

Very knowledgeable chaps and it was they who quoted me a very nicely priced custom system, just a shame that Majorca won

[Rednexi]

Originally Posted by MrWizard

The trick with building your own is that you've got to have the money to burn at the same time you do your research. I made this mistake with my current PC. If you won't have the money for another 6 months, keep up with the tech, but don't bother writing up your wishlist just yet. New stuff comes out, prices drop, things are bound to change. Certain components can be picked out now, but I find its easier to wait and buy everything at once.

On the pre-built side, alot of machines these days are pretty beefy and can handle most games if you make sure you know whats in the box before you buy it. I bought a $350 HP desktop from www.newegg.com for a friend of mine and with minor upgrades, it was able to handle just about anything I could throw at it. If I blow it up, I can always take out my upgrades, send it back under warranty and when they ask what happened, play the dumb consumer.

End run, there are pros and cons to both options. Choose your path wisely.

yeah wise words! pretty much thats how it is, you can buy stuff separately if you dont have the money right now, but buy only stuff like, case & psu (with decent wattage), the core stuff like Graphicx card & MOBO & CPU & memory is best purchased when you have the money...

There are usually pre-assembled custom sets build in computer magazines, like a examples of building your own setup, thats useful if you dont want to look at teh specs and ponder on which memory fits to which MOBO and such...