PC Price Wars -- Build or Buy?

[ablang]

With the PC Price Wars going on now between Gateway, Dell, et al., do you guys still think it would be CHEAPER to build it yourself vs. buying a system from them? Why or why not?

[Raist]

You more than likely can get a cheaper deal if you buy a Dell or other name brand but the real issue is quality of your purchase. I personally prefer to build my own machines as opposed to purchasing an OEM. Most manufacturers use proprietary hardware and it is a pain in the @$$ ti have repaired should a component fail. My $.02 -Raist

[NDC]

Regardless of price, I build my systems since I can get exactly what I need...

[Sweeper]

BUILD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[rh71]

Exactly. If you build it, you know what parts you have and each has their own warranty anyway.

But if you buy, it will be just as cheap and they may throw in a printer, scanner, monitor, etc. for the same price.

[suzuki1]

By all means... BUILD!!!

[golfcart]

Building is fundamental. http://www.sysopt.com/forum/biggrin.gif

[spidey_joe80@hotmail.com]

of course build. The only good thing about some prebuilt systems is tech support always nice if u manage to F*** something up. prebuilt are not cheaper either. and dell uses mx's in most of there systems.

[wufam007]

I say Build...On store bought systems it can also be hard to find drivers for a specific device (modem for example) because most brands give you a restore disk than can be a pain to deal with instead of indivudual drivers. This could be a major problem if you decide to change to another OS at some point.

[camaro]

Build. They overcharge you on components big time. You always get cheap components with the powerfull CPU. All generic besides the CPU. Example. 1.75W power supply from Compaq costs $200. 2.mobo with 500MHz AMD costs $300 from Compaq. And you can't put anything else in there cause they designed it that way so you have to buy parts from them.

[gyoung]

Here's a simple analysis that took me about 20 minutes on the web to look for prices:

Dell Dimension L - $958.00
Dimension® L Series, Pentium® III Processor at 1GHz
Memory: 128MB SDRAM
Keyboard: QuietKey® Keyboard
Video Card: Intel 3D AGP Graphics
Hard Drive: 20GB Value Hard Drive
Floppy Drive: 1.44MB Floppy Drive
Operating System: Microsoft® Windows® Millennium (Windows Me)
Mouse: Dell® Button Mouse
Modem: 56K PCI Data Fax Modem for Windows
CD/DVD ROM Drive: 48X Max Variable CD-ROM Drive
Sound Card: SoundBlaster 64V PCI LC Sound Card
Speakers: PC Speakers
Bundled Software:
Microsoft® Office XP Small Business with Money 2001 Standard
Norton Antivirus® at no additional charge: Norton Antivirus® 2001
Digital Music: Dell Jukebox powered by MusicMatch 6.0
Digital Imaging Software: Image Expert® 2000, Dell Edition ($0)

Let's see what we can get at Axiontech.com just ordering the equivalents to this. I picked AxionTech because they are a good vendor and have very reasonable shipping rates.

Motherboard: IWILL:KK266-R ($135)
Processor: ATHLON 1133 266 ($125)
Memory: Crucial 128MB RAM ($33)
Keyboard: LOGITECH DELUXE ACCESS ($15)
Video Card: AOPEN:PA256 MX,GEFORCE2 MX CHIPSET,32MB,256BIT,AGP4X ($75)
Hard Drive: MAXTOR:32049H2/3,20.4GB EIDE ATA 100,5400 RPM 512K CACHE,OEM ($84)
Floppy Drive: EPSON:1.44MB ($10)
Mouse: LOGITECH:MOUSEMAN+WHEEL,2-BUTTON ($15)
Modem: CREATIVE LABS:MODEM BLASTER,56K,V90 ($27)
CD/DVD ROM Drive: ASUS:50X,EIDE,ATAPI,HIGHSPEED CDROM DRIVE ($40)
Sound Card: On motherboard (free)
Speakers: LOGITECH:SOUNDMAN S-20,SUB AND SATELLITE ($38)
Bundled Software: None
Case: FONG-KAI:FK320ATX ($98)

All of this costs $695 plus $48 in shipping. For a total of $743.

You would have to buy the OS from somewhere else. For a gaming rig I would pick Windows 98. You can find it on www.pricewatch.com (http://www.pricewatch.com) for around $50 including shipping.

Also, I would possibly get a sound card for this machine. You could spend anywhere from $50 to $100. Let's just say we want a good card. I would go with the Philips Acoustic Edge that you can pick up for around $100.

That puts us at $743 + $50 + $100 = $893.

I think this rig would compete very well with the Dell machine. Although, it really is hard to compare PCs. You could interchange many of the parts for cheaper parts or more expensive parts. But I think this rig above would give you great performance for the price.

Keep in mind that neither of these PCs include a monitor. That could boost your price tremendously. The monitor is someplace that you want to invest. You are going to staring at this for years.

Other things going for this built rig are the ease of upgrading. You can replace parts and upgrade a lot easier than the Dell. I don't know about Dell, but on the Compaq that my parents used to have you voided the warrenty if you opened the case.

[This message has been edited by gyoung (edited 06-15-2001).]

[eagle1]

I have to go with "build" too. I recently bought all the parts for my new computer and everything cost me like $735 including shipping. Now I have:

AMD Thunderbird 1.2ghz
Gigabyte 7ZX-1 mobo
256 Crucial PC133 RAM
GeForce mx400 64mb
Sound Blaster Live Value
Generic 52x CDROM
20gb WEstern Digital HD
Floppy Drive
Mouse + Keyboard
Case (Mid Tower) + 300w PS

Most of the parts I ordered were from:

www.newegg.com (http://www.newegg.com) and
www.mwave.com (http://www.mwave.com)

[eagle1]

The only thing good about these companies (already mentioned) is the warranties. They range like from 3 years to 5!

[rhino49]

Dell = $899

xtra for buying parts
in lots <1000 and getting
7200 rpm drives, quality
mobo, etc. = $120

fun of building your own = priceless

[hawkeye177]

Build that the way to go

[Spartacus]

Build.... when you decide to upgrade it.. you will be thankful that you dind't buy a brand name computer..

JAG

[Goldwingnut]

I say build, for different reasons those than noted above.

I have been asked, on job interviews, if I have ever built my own computer. If so, what did you use and why?

The job interview process is not intended to find the best candidate. The job interview is used to eliminate unsuitable candidates.

If you can provide a cogent explanation of why you chose the components that went into the computer you built, you will be a much stronger candidate for the position than the shmoes who answer the first question with "Nope."

[bhess]

I vote to build. However it certainly is better if you already have a good system to change parts with. IE case, PS, floppy, cd, HD,and OS. Just to buy a full version of an Os is over $100. And now even an old cd-rom should be at least 20x which is more than enough.
If you build once all of those compononts should transfer over. So if you build get a good case and PS because you will keep it for a while.

[MiKe85]

I also prefer to build my own PCs, but if you want to buy a computer from a company, Dell would be the best bet.

Good customer service, and always seem to sell good products.

[techwriter]

Going back to your question of which is "...CHEAPER...", the answer is to buy. As I think everyone has said so far, it is BETTER to build, but 99% of the time it is CHEAPER to buy a brand name.

Just my thoughts.

[dragonB]

I really have to disagree that it is cheaper to buy than to build.
Maybe it is in the short term if you get sucked into the $400 rebate for compuserve or MSN, but paying $22 for internet for 3 years is just stupid if you ask me.
There's already been a few examples put forth that show building is cheaper. Especially if you don't need all the bundled software(meaning your smart enough to find it all free(and legal) on the internet anyway.
With a little bit of shopping around, and careful eye on shipping rates, many trips to resellerratings.com, and maybe a good local shop to run to and grab that extra cable or fan, then I think you can easily save $200 over any bought system. Not to mention having a decent vid card that isn't shared memory!! Ugh, I can't understand why those places have a P!!! 1 ghz, then 64MB of ram, and a built-in shared memory vid card. That's so ridiculous!
anyway, that's enough rant out of me.
dragonB

[Imperion1]

Building your own is better. You know whats in it. If something goes wrong you can always come here instead of waiting for tech support from a (cold chill) prebuilt system.
Some companies will use a mobo with built in graphics and audio, then charge you between $1500 to $2000.
Look at gateway for example. You buy a computer, T-Bird 1G (on board audio and graphics), from them for $53 a month for 48 months. Thats $2544. You can build a better system for less than that.

[Brangwen]

When building your own:

(1) You select the components; (2) You know the system inside and out; (3) You get the satisfaction of using the system you assembled! Add that satisfaction and building your own system gives much more value than merely purchasing pre-assembled components, notwithstanding the tangibles mentioned in other posts!

Brangwen http://www.sysopt.com/forum/wink.gif



[This message has been edited by Brangwen (edited 06-18-2001).]

[RalphArch]

Re: cheaper to build or buy: yes - it can be cheaper to build but just marginally. If you use motherboards like pcchips all-in-ones like I do (and like many of the big builders use); get a lot of your remaining components when COMPUSA/Circuit City are practically giving them away like $50 20 gig ata 100 hard drives; 256 meg of high density ram for $32; get your software as cheaply as possible like from directdeals - you can come out marginally cheaper (maybe $100). You still get the joy and knowledge of building.

Many on this forum disparage this type of a system - but in my view its preferred over a Dell and still cheaper. Most build your own types are in to the latest and greatest; advise against getting that generic ram and all-in-one board. These work for me; extra time to set up but the systems I put together are stable and reliable. If not I ferret out the bad component and replace it. Time it cheap in my hobby.

[Madcap]

I say build! But if you still want to buy I'd say buy from Dell. I had a Gateway for less than 2 weeks. It was a total PoS. Their technical support was horrible. Dell has great support but they, like all other companies are almost impossible to upgrade. Their motherboards are specially made so if you buy a new one somewhere else it will not fit in the case. And then they will charge you like $200 for a REFURBISHED motherboard!

I got a Dell 2 years ago after returning my Gateway. I have replaced everything but the monitor, modem, keyboard and mouse. Everything else was replaced so I guess that classifies as builind my own. You will be much happier if you do it yourself.

The best companies I have used online are www.essencompu.com (http://www.essencompu.com) www.mwave.com (http://www.mwave.com) www.axiontech.com (http://www.axiontech.com) www.compuplus.com (http://www.compuplus.com) www.mushkin.com (http://www.mushkin.com)

I purchased parts from all those companies fro basically everything but the floppy drive which I got from CompUSA

[prexaspes]

If you buy, buy something standard industry with builder's parts. No proprietary stuff. I find it much easier to upgrade slowly. Buy a 20 gb ata 100. 2 weeks later, buy a GeForce2MX 400. 2 Weeks later, Another 20 gb ata 100. Next week, buy 128 mb infineon ram. Splurge the week after and buy a 1.4 ghz athlon and Raid board. You see? As long as you can chuck old **** into another beige box and can upgrade the one you have, you Always have a new computer. Even short-term backward compatability works, and even though it may end up more expensive, it sure feels cheaper. And you always got a newish system. And best of all, when that new game you got chokes on your O/C's celeron, you aren't stricken with fear and new PC gripes. You know exactly what to do next. You know that box inside out and just how far and fast you can roast those transistors. Ever plan to burn out your processor quickly so you HAVE to get a newer, faster one? And yet it feels cheaper, and it's definitely more affordable. Oh yeah, you family will love that endless supply of spare parts beige boxes you'll accumulate...

[jad1097]

They sure do love those spare parts.

[hallam2003]

eagle has the same thoughts as i do, even uses the same sites. I recommend building!!! i use newegg.com, mwave.com, and crucial.com/webpromo for everything. I typically build about 10 systems a month for the last two years or so, although only two of those have actually stayed in my home. anyway, one place where the prices change are in the software. If your not into running linux, thus free, and need to get windows, well, then you might be about even for the prices. I know that we aren't really supposed to be talking about this **DELETED - then why are you?** on all of my systems, i run Win 98, or win2K, or linux, or dual, or even triple boots, depending on the needs of the customer, and then i also run office XP, I've been using this for the last month or so, before that i used office 2000. anyway, I've found that spending the extra couple of dollars to get the part that comes with the 3 year warrentee or whatever is worth it. also, building is a big time learning experience, if you really get into it, you find ourself on the web all the time doing price checks. or watching QVC and doing price checks against their machine, just to laugh when you see the $800 savings margin. hehehe. that's funny. Also, go for the cheapest parts you can find, BUT, i repeat, BUT, be careful, make sure you know what your getting, if you buy stuff like i do, you find parts and brands that work well, and you typically go back to those parts, because you don't want to mess with bad parts, since you've already used this part, or this vender or whatever, use it again, right? for instance, i always recommend the elight 7237 tower case to most of my customers, I've used it maybe 35 time before. anyway, i've used way to much of your time now, build, don't buy. but be carefull, you CAN get burned, it happens to the best of us.


Hallam

Hallam - YGM. -Socalgal


[This message has been edited by socalgal (edited 06-18-2001).]

[Axel]

Rules of thumb -

If you've never built a system before - don't start with new parts on a system you really cannot afford to screw up.

The only new parts I recommend include the following:
Power Supply
all the ribbon cables
the CPU fan
all the port com & serial cables

[struggles]

I think the point has been made that it is better to build. This way you can get exactly what you want.

But, if you are strictly comparing pricing, buying would be the way to go.I wouldn't have suggested that a month ago. Just in the last two weeks, prices for name brand computers has dropped dramatically. Sure you can build for a little less, but start pricing software. Thats where they get ya.

I had the same decision to make last week. The company I work for needed a few more pc's. I couldn't make up my mind whether to buy or build. I ended up building a 1.2Ghz system on a Asus a7v with a 7200rpm IBM HDD w/os for around 650.00. Now to add apps. This will take the overall price up significantly. But you wont find a name brand system like these.

[daverme]

The most important factor in your decision to build or to buy is to answer the question: "Why are you in the game?" If you are in it for the (sometimes) fun of seeing your own creation work and the (sometimes) fun of surmounting all the challenges that go with it, then there is only one answer and that is to build. If, however, you want a tool that works right out of the box, then the decision is equally simple, buy. If you are somewhere in between, then build ... but stay with Intel.

[Axel]

yup - dave - know exactly what you mean -

I got "the bug" when someone handed me an old board with a cyrix processor on it and that was it....

One lesson learned is to avoid cyrix processors...... parts were a lot of fun - parts were more frustrating than watching your house burn down.....

that brings up another point - if you don't have at least 2 weeks of uninterrupted spare time to figure it all out quietly, don't start.....
I've gotten where, if I have all the parts on hand, I can start Friday night after work and have a complete system loaded and functioning with one game on it by Sunday afternoon. But it took a couple years of tinkering to get to that point. This board helped a lot.

[kenyg]

Build it!!

I don't know how many times I've been asked to look at someone's gateway, pb, compaq etc. I take the cover off - only to find out that the upgrade options are severely limited - or worse yet, the mb was a proprietary size - remember lbx boards? - or everything is onboard and there are no expansion slots... or the Ram is "special" and costs double..

etc etc ....

Build build build

Ken

[RustyGT]

The choice is open.
For some brands.
It's fair to say that the low end product[home user[fair]] does not compare well to the Commercial [business[excellent]] product.
These vendors know their market, and their products.
While they are in different leagues in price and support.
I find it unfortunate ,that reputations are blurred across a product range.
In marketing, perceptions mean a lot.
Caveat Emptor.
R.
This was edited before posting, to hide the guilty, and to save my skin. Build!

[RayH]

Depends what you want to do with the computer and your level of skill. Buying a ready built can be significantly less expensive--especially since it usually comes bundled with licensed software.

But as of now, you can get a significantly better quality machine for the same money if you build. But home building machines may go the way of home building home audio!

I'm old enough to have built my first stereo system, including speakers. Nobody is buying kits anymore.