BUY or BIULD

[JC]

I do not need to save $ but should I buy or biuld my next system? I want to get a 800-900 MHz AMD Athlon, a mobo for the Athlon, a basic CD drive, 15Gb HDD 72000rpm, floppy, case like a Micron Millenia(mmmmmmm, damnit, that makes me drool , 200 watt power supply, cable modem, Creative Labs SB Value!, 32Mb GForce, and a 3 piece speaker system. I will keep my 17in IBM monitor. I will use it specifically for gaming. What should I add? Or should I just buy a Micron Millenia Max or a Dell Demension? I like the fact that with a Micron or Dell, I will have customer service(via phone or internet), customized online driver and softwear updates, and the overall stabability and compatability of a well known company biulding my PC. I also like that if I make my own system, I will gain experience, know how to upgrade it, have fun, you know, stuff like that... If I do biuld it, I will surely have problems downloading my own drivers and all. I am pretty confident in electronics, I have taken the fist part of Electronics (AC/DC) circuits, but I am too agressive and work too fast, I might screw up ! Anyway, what should I do?
Thanks,
JC

[Lacy]

JC... I'm not a true techie, but I would go for building. You'll enjoy it more. I love putting them together. But I would advise you go with at least a 300 watt. Nothing less!!!! Would go for more actually, but 300 minimum.

[krusty the klown]

If you build your own, you can research all of the components for compatability, future upgrades, etc. (and, of course overclockability!).

You also only get what you want, rather than ending up with stuff you don't need.

[daveleau]

When you build, you get a faster system with better components for the same money. Usually, retail systems do not have extremely good components. I would build. It is not very difficult at all. Just research your hardware (motherboard especially), know what you want, or ask us for hardware recommendations. Like on a motherboard, make sure you get enough slots, one that is stable, has a good chipset, and has the extras you may want. The over-the-counter motherboards for Athlons are much, much better than ones in retail systems. Good luck.
dave

[socalgal]

JC

In the future, please don't multiple post. You had 3 threads going in different forums. ONE topic in ONE forum only, please.

Thanks.

[skai]

Hi if you want to evaluate components go to sysopt user reviews I check there before i buy anything
skai

[Brian48]

Just build it yourself. It's more manly.

[Dputiger]

If you buy a system from a good manufacturer(and don't buy a bargain-basement machine), you'll get a good computer that'll be stable, work well, and probably be pretty easy to set up--plus, you'll get a warranty and free tech support.

On the other hand, if you build it yourself you'll be able to tweak every piece of hardware for your own individual tastes. Plus, you will save money.

If you're looking for a good compromise, I'd buy a computer from Falcon Northwest or Alienware. Both of these manufacturers will allow you to customize every part of the computer right down to the motherboard. Also, since they deal mostly with gaming computers, their staff is pretty knowledgable about this stuff (more than your average IBM tech guy.). So if your looking for a good compromise--go that route.

[Dputiger]

One other thing:

I'd go ADSL over cable, if its available and at all price competitive. Make sure you go with a 300 watt power supply. If your looking for good three piece speakers, the Yamaha YST-MS 50 is a very good solution for under $100. If you want a great system, the Klipsch ProMedia speakers are absolutely excellent as well.

Make sure whatever mobo you get, it's a newer one that addresses the Athlon/Geforce issues. You don't want a company handing you s quirky mobo.

[Dave2]

Build. That Micron computer only has a 200W power supply. Athlons systems recommend 300W. Here are the main points that will get you to build a stable Athlon system:

Athlon approved memory, Crucial or Mushkin
Athlon approved power supply, Antec PP303X
Motherboard, something with AMD750 chipset

[bhess]

I would definantly build. It's not as scary as it seems. You will probably have some problems at first, so try to keep internet access so you can post to this forum. There is a lot of free help here. http://sysopt.earthweb.com/forum/smile.gif

[Tom Pico]

I know this is heresy in this forum but build ONLY if you have lots and lots of patience AND have a second system running w/o problems for back-up.

Building your own is only less expensive if you don't count the days of frustration getting it working. Read this forum and you'll see what I mean. All these pleas for help aren't coming from people who bought a already build and tested system. These are people building systems or upgrading major components. This is computer hell. http://sysopt.earthweb.com/forum/wink.gif

Of course, if you have the patience and must have a system with a particular motherboard, a particular video card, etc. and you want to overclock -- you'll only get that by building your own. Plus a great deal of satisfaction when you finally get it all running at some outrageous MHz.

I use my main machince for work and when it goes down I'm in trouble (in Hawaii we call it being in deep Kim Chee -- if you've ever had Kim Chee, you'll understand). Once when I couldn't get running for several very frustrating days, I ran out to buy a new video card (thinking that was my problem) and saw a cheap e-machine on sale for $375 (w/o monitor) -- the video card that I intended to buy cost almost that much! It was only a 400KHz Celeron with a 6 or 8 gig hard drive, but I bought it and have never had any problems with it. Whenever my main machine is down I can get work out on my back-up and (most importantly) I can connect to this forum for info and advice. Of course, I put in more Ram and an old VooDoo II card and a second hard drive... yeah, I'm sick.

[This message has been edited by Tom Pico (edited 06-21-2000).]

[This message has been edited by Tom Pico (edited 06-21-2000).]

[alondra]

building your own is a challenge but a great feeling of satisfaction. echo the advise to have your regular one for backup. with it you can get answers and help. I could not have built mine with out all the "handholding" from the net. allso you will know what you have, how much capabilitys and the like. and a case with space for what you have and what you want to add. a store bought may not have open spaces. allso some store ones you dont get the software. I think I have a better mach than I could have bought for the money. IMHO

[pickel]

Try www.pricewatch.com (http://www.pricewatch.com) might find what looking for for a good price with a warranty.
There nice when things go wrong!!! Also good tech is a good buying point.BTW, if you find a "72000" RPM Hdd, let me know , love to have two or three.LOL http://sysopt.earthweb.com/forum/smile.gif

the pickel

[Krymson]

You wont have much problem if you buy stuff that works together, read the recommendations from manufacturers. Make sure the Motherboard, memory, and cpu work together and that you have enough slots for everything.

If you know what you need and buy good quality parts that people recommend( take a look around this board,people post stuff all the time about which sound cards or graphics cards are good and which are ****), you wont have much frustration with building your new comp.

[Ironforge]

Just my two cents..

If you have some degree of techincal expertise.. I suggest you build your PC.

You know what you get, you only get what you want, and it's fun http://sysopt.earthweb.com/forum/smile.gif

----------------------------------------
I love INWIN cases http://sysopt.earthweb.com/forum/smile.gif

[GroundZero3]

Hey you probbally heard this over and over and over but i say do it yourself. at least this way you know whats going in there and and i'll tell you the its the best feeling when you use your comp and its runs nicely.
JaYsin

[JC]

Sorry to socalgal for the triple post, I just wanted more input. It won't happen again. So, I've decided to just biuld it. Hmmm, here is a refined list: I will get a AMD Athlon 850Mhz CPU, heatsink/fan, 1.44 floppy, 300 watt Power supply, Crucial 128MD SDRAM, Nvidia GeForce 2 GTS w/32MB DDR 4x AGP, 15 GB HD .00002653 ms seek time 72,000 rpm (and you thought it was a typo, buaahahha, naw, just joking, it was a typo http://sysopt.earthweb.com/forum/wink.gif Sound Blaster Live Value!, Cambridge speaker system, 48x CD-ROM and a Microsoft IntelliMouse. What motherboard you ask, I'll leave that up to you guys, but shouldn't it have a AMD 750 chipset? What about the case? PC Gamer says Addtronics, Maximum PC says PC & Power Cooling. Something with toolless entry, removable side panels, holes for auxillary fans, vents for cooling and mid-full ATX. What would be the best way to obtain this system? I live in Guam (US territory in the Pacific) but I have a brother in Cali and a sister in Philly(which part of the country is cheaper? tax, no tax). Should I get a barebones system with case, power, CPU? Or get it separately? I have lots of time to make this list better! No need to rush.
Thanks,
You Guys have been a ton of help,
JC

[hd581]

15Gb HDD 72000rpmWhew! Put me down for one of those, too! http://sysopt.earthweb.com/forum/smile.gif http://sysopt.earthweb.com/forum/smile.gif http://sysopt.earthweb.com/forum/smile.gif

[Krymson]

If your gonna buy, i recommend Dell.
They use good parts and are pretty cheap and powerful.

BUT I would recommend you build yer own.
As Dave2 mentioned, if you want to have a Athlon system, you HAVE to have at least 250 watts, so a 300 watt power supply is good.

Im building an athlon 700 system right now, and im gonna be using a ASUS K7M with the Athlon 751 chipset. (Other athlon motherboards have VIA something or other, i dont know about those, AMD recommends using the Athlon 750 chipset)

Im not sure if using specific brand name memory is gonna help, but try to get PC 133 DIMM ram for you athlon.

For the HD, what you want is a Maxtor Diamond plus, 7200 rpm, they range from 15-40 gigs, and theyre cheap(20 gig is $140). Staples has em.

For the speakers, a cheap but good 3 speaker system is the Altec Lansing ACS-340. Try to get THX certified ones.

If you build your own, you can get quality parts and at a good price. (look on pricewatch.com, resellerratings.com, and techbargains.com)

[rrick31]

build it your self and save money and learn more.and have fun.do alot research before you buy.good luck

[Krymson]

Hey JC, if your looking for a Athlon Mobo, look at my first reply, the ASUS K7M with the athlon 751 chipset. A good Athlon place to buy from is www.directron.com. (http://www.directron.com.) They also athlon approved EVERYTHING, from cases to mobos to fans.

Oh by the way, Im building a machine right now thats almost exactly the same as yours, im trying to keep it under $1000 though, so im using $50 speakers and a $60 velocity 100.

[This message has been edited by Krymson (edited 06-22-2000).]

[bhess]

You didn't mention before that you live in Guam. That changes things. It makes mail order hard. If you get a bad component how would you exchange it? Most returns are within 7 days.
Do you have a local shop that sells components? If so it might be worth it to buy all items from them and ask how much to install them.

[Dputiger]

Krysmon, I'd recommend you check out the YST-MS50's (I've seen them for fifty bucks). PC Gamer rated them as excellent speakers, and I have their younger brother, the YST-MS25. They aren't the best speakers on the planet, but for a three piece solution they sound really, really good. Lots of bass (if that's your thing).

[Krymson]

Thanks for the advice http://sysopt.earthweb.com/forum/smile.gif
I was originally gonna go for Altec Lansing ACS 340's but Ill check those YST's out.

[JC]

Hey,
I just went to directron.com, I checked thier international orders and Guam was included with US adresses, yes!!!(in there with PR and Virgin Islands) Too bad for Canadians, they can't order online and they live on the other side of the border http://sysopt.earthweb.com/forum/frown.gif , me, I'm on the other side of the ocean! So I should order online right? Or should I call? The Asus K7V sounds good(it come with onboard audio! Man thats lame!), and the Fong Kai 320 looks sweet(it says for workstations and servers, can I just use it for a PC? or should I get the other FKI case?)! Im also getting the Altec Lansing ACS 495 Subwoofer/4 sattelite speaker system, remanufactured for 60 bucks! What brand GeForce should I get? Should I wait for the Athlon prices to go down? You know, since the Durons and next gen. AMDs are coming out(if im wrong please correct, I haven't been following processors in a while) Will the GeForce, Athlon and Asus work together?
Thanks, guys, you have been answering my questions and I really apreciate the input.
JC
Oh, and BTW, who is biulding a system like mine? Can you please post and tell me what your doing, doing different.....

[Brian48]

Forgot to mention, if you really help on a beginner's level to building your own box, go over to the links section of my site (http://http:=//home.earthlink.net/~chinmonster). I have a small section for beginners with URLs to various sites that show you how to build your own box step by step. There's other links for moderate to advanced users as well.

[Ygor]

Looks like you did well! It's much easier to change a video card and speakers later on than a case.

[Krymson]

allright JC, heres my comp, I ordered all the parts last night:

CPU:Athlon 700 mhz with heatsink/fan $194
Mobo:ASUS K7M w/ athlon 751 chipset $153
Memory:PC133 SDRAM 128MB $154
Case:Hydraulic Black Case with rear and front fans, 300 watt power supply $106.99
Graphics card:Velocity 100 8MB SGRAM $60.02
CD ROM http://sysopt.earthweb.com/forum/biggrin.gifelta 52x IDE CD ROM $32
Floppy: Sony $15.00
Mouse: Mitsuko 3button black mouse $9.00
Modem: 56K v.90 3com/US Robotics $69.99
Hard Drive:Maxtor Diamond 20.4GB 7200 rpm $149.99
Keyboard: Black Keyboard $19.99
Speakers: Altec Lansing ACS-46W $45
Staples $30 off coupon -$30
______________________________________
$979

As you can see, I had to skimp on the speakers and graphics card to keep it under one grand. (I was orginally gonna get Black speakers but they were too expensive)

I was orginally gonna get the fong-kai athlon approved case, but the Hydraulic black case looked so much cooler.