Does building a PC from scratch save money?

[AliensRUs]

Hi everyone!
I was wondering whether assembling a PC from parts (bought at computer stores) vs. buying a complete system could save any money? It seems to me that it's the other way around. Or am I looking in the wrong places? I'll appreciate any feedback.

[DManly]

well.. honestly? If you start from nothing & go out & buy everthing that you need, no, it is not as cheap as buying a "like performance" computer already prebuilt. BUT! If you assemble you own computer, the slightly increased cost will allow you to pick & chose the components YOU want. Further, the computer that you assemble will be upgradable, not assembled with "house brand" components that can only be bought (and there may never be a upgraded, read faster, component available) from the computer maker/assembler.

[smoorman]

I think if you buy right, that is, at computer shows or internet (buy as much at 1 place so as to save on individual shipping charges) you will save money. And not have a highly integrated system. And you will at least have a chance to overclock your system like all the cool people at this site.

[CMonster]

If you compare to top of the line brands, where a name is worth $600 to $1000 extra, then yes; it does save money.

You can generally build a top of the line, or next step down PC for about $1100 to $1600 (depending on options/ price estimate including basic software)as opposed to a similar system by Dell or Gateway.

But if you compare to discount retailers, then NO, you will not save any money.

[JP]

Yes, if you shop at the right places, building your own PC saves lots of money. If you go to CompUSA or your local mom and pop shop, you are not shopping at the right place. Get all your parts from local destributors, computer shows (fun), and the internet. I have a resale account with a local destributor so I get OEM prices, which are slightly less than computer show prices. If you want to see just how low custom systems cost, visit my web page and go to the System Building and Configuration Examples areas. The prices on the page reflect a $150 labor/markup.
-JP
http://members.xoom.com/PSComputers

[NgtCrwlr]

I agree with DManly, the biggest advantage to DIY is you get to choose everything. A few bits of advice if you should choose the build it yourself option. Try to buy retail box products not OEM, generally OEM versions of the same product have less features than the retail version. Example: An OEM TNT card may not have TV out whereas most retail versions do. Other problems you may encounter with OEM parts can be warranty service and driver updates. The warranty on an OEM part is supposed to be handled by the people that build the system, some manufacturers will refuse to fix an OEM product for an end user.

It is hard to compete with the package prices of companies like Dell and Gateway. About the only way you can is to use OEM parts. When you buy all retail box parts, the price will most often be higher than the comparable package. However, you will not have to worry about stupid things like Compaq’s crazy HD partitions or non-standard motherboard configurations.

Putting the box together is relatively easy, supporting it is the hard part for the normal user. IMO service is the biggest factor in the decision, it is very hard to beat Dell’s 3yr next day on site parts and labor warranty for $99. Your hard drive quits working or the motherboard won’t boot, or your monitor is spewing smoke, you are the one that has to figure out why. This can lead to many hours and lots of frustration. Something to keep in mind on a DIY system is, you cover the cost of shipping and insurance to the manufacturer for replacements most times even if it is a warranty replacement. Shipping and insurance on a monitor or system box is not cheap.

Personally, I would be very cautious of buying a computer or parts from a computer show. Unless the vendor is located within a short driving distance, I would suggest finding a local dealer. Where I live, we have had a show about every two months for the last 3yrs. You would not believe how many vendors that appeared to be stable are out of business or doing business under another name. I do buy parts from our local shows but only on the first day of the show so I can run home and quickly test that everything is legit. If something doesn’t work right I return it the next day. You have to make sure that the vendor will give cash back (get it in writing), most don’t, they have small little signs that say “Credit Only on Returns”. Computer shows can be a great place to buy but you had better know what you are doing.

Not knowing your experience with computers makes it hard to give advice. I hope that this will help you somewhat. DIY can be very rewarding as long as you know what you are getting into.

Cheers!

Larry “NgtCrwlr” Mingus
www.makeitsimple.com

[tantone]

You also will learn more about your computer if you DIY than if you buy it from a Dell/Compaq, etc. You actually feel a personal attachment (sure, you're thinking "this guys a loon") but you do. I know what my system can handle and I know what it can't handle. I know the ins and outs of my software and the not to mention the compatability of my hardware. DIY makes you go out and research things thoroughly (if you do it right) and you will gain so much knowledge and experience, that it's worth a bit extra in $$$$. Also, I totally agree, 100%, with the advice of NgtCrwlr; OEM can get you in to trouble if you're not careful. Unless you have unlimited funds and can run right out and replace what may malfunction after the 30-day (the norm) warranty expires, the little bit of extra $$ you may spend on a Retail item is worth it. Now that I've put mine together, I can't ever imagine doing it any other way.

[Leo V]

I think it's important to add that you can save a LOT of money if you choose to overclock you system. Such as getting a $70 Celeron 300A and bringing it up to 504MHz on an Abit BH6/BX6II using a $65 www.ComputerNerd.com Celery Sandwich fan.) IF you're willing to accept the risk, you can get such a system for FAR less than either retail or mail-order. Of course, overclocking has its risks, but now seems to be a lucky time for it (with the Celeron 300A probably being the best, and last, widely available OC chip).

I bought my Celeron 300A@464MHz (rock stable) the first day it came out, from the first store that actually had supplies (couldn't afford waiting), for a premium $194; however, at the time, the brand-new PII/450 had cost $850. Mine also runs partly stable at 504MHz when using a friend's cheap double-fan, so i plan to get a Sandwich fan to ensure stability at 504MHz as well. This $600 discount is fairly typical of the overclocking factor when building your own system. And, of course, the cheapest way to get the parts is usually internet/order/OEM-whitebox and not retail, just like with preassembled computers...

BTW, NgtCrwlr, I have a question for you about your reply on my Multiple partitions thread...could you please look at it? thx
--Leo V.

[donn]

No one has mentioned rebates on the retail stuff. I ended up buying my hard drive from circuit city because it came with a free superdisk drive, plus -$50 plus -$20, way cheaper than ordering from a supplier.

my cents.
donn

[Roy]

I get the product from the supplier, I get the rebate coupon from CompUSA.

[LeighMA]

I personally would always build my own PC's. As everyone has said, you don't pay extra money for the name. The main advantage, however, is that you know what you're getting and aren't going to get any surprises like finding you've got a 2MB video card built into your motherboard that can't be disabled

Cost-wise, it's debatable. Here in Australia it tends to be a bit cheaper to pick up a $2.50 computer mag, spend an hour or so flicking through the ads, and buy that way, rather than heading to your local retailer or some big bugger like Dell.

But, if you're not sure on what you're doing.. perhaps a pre-built system is what you should be looking at - the extra bucks could save a little smoke

[JimR]

It takes time and knowledge to know how to build your own pc. Study everything about all the components so you can make the most informed decisions about buying them.

I really believe that you can build a TOP quality system for about 1/2 the price over retail price even on the best name brands. The system you can build will have all the best components. When buying a retail system, you get the components that someone else decided to use to put it together not you.

I have been building $1600 retail computers for about $880 or less out of my home for several small businesses. I end up charging them about 1050 each but they are still saving $500.

My best advice is to check out... www.sysopt.com and www.tomshardware.com

Then when you have acquired the knowledge regarding pc components, check out www.pricewatch.com - wholesale prices to the public.

I would agree buying all the components from 1 place saves money on shipping and handling.

1 thing to keep in mind, that one place is not going to have the best deals on the components that you want. I usually end up ordering from 4-5 different sources to acquire the best prices on the components and the extra shipping and handling are off set.

One thing about celeron processor. It's ok for the money. There is a reason that it costs less. The p2 is a faster processor. The celeron can be easily overclocked, but it is exponentially slower at the same MHZ. At the same clock rate, it's about 20% slow for starters. A 300A celeron At 504 mhz is about 60% slower than a P2 at the clock rate. Yes I know the P2 isn't made at 504mhz.

[tapped]

WHAT?!?!?! You're LOONY!!! A C450A has been shown to be FASTER than a PII-450.... Perhaps certain apps aren't QUITE as zippy, but 60%? Where did you get that #? My C300A is just as fast as a friends PII-300, with the same amount of memory. There may be a SLIGHT difference with a few things, but it's barely discernable.

[bighammer]

there isn't more than a 5% difference in any app.
Reallistically, none at all.
I can show you stones of the 300A and the PII 300 at 450/464 and you can't tell me that there is any difference.
Same goes for the 333 at 500 and the 366 Celeron at 458 against a 450.
Someones been putting something funny in your pipe, and you been smokin' it.
{that was a joke}
well to me
There's something else also, About prices..you will not and cannot beat the system prices out there. I don't care if you know god.
Better components cost more and OEM **** sells for $500.00 to $1000.00 now.
You show me where you can make more than a C note per machine.
I build screamers{well all top end equiptment}and there is no way on this green earth, you will beat the junks prices with quality components and make a buck selling at OEM prices.
Especially when you don't use Celerons.
Sorry, not really a flame, just a reality check.



[This message has been edited by bighammer (edited 02-22-99).]

[JP]

bighammer-
Visit my webpage...
-JP
http://members.xoom.com/PSComputers