Don't buy...build your next computer!

[rcguy1]

For years I have been buying Dell Computers to do my editing and some gaming but after their customer service and tech support was out-sourced to India, I finally decided to build my own computer. Most techs spoke terrible English and I was tried of saying, "I don't understand what your saying." Also when you buy a manufactured computer you are limited to the upgrades you can preform. You are limited basically to adding more memory and additional hard drive space but as far as changing the CPU and overclocking, it's almost impossible. Also the power supply is usually marginal.

The only thing that held me from building my own computer was that I would be my own tech support. That turned out not to be true. I purchased my computer parts from newegg.com and saved a bundle of money over a comparable Dell computer. Also Newegg has their own forum ( eggxpert.com ) with thousands of computer gurus that have built their own computers and are eager to help each other. I encountered a few problems when building my computer but they were solved with the help of these builders. They are able to read and write English and have many years of experience building computers. Now my computer is running smoothly with a quad core CPU (Q6600), 4 gigs of memory and a 750 watt power supply. I'm proud to say I overclocked the CPU from 2.4 to 2.97GHz.

In the future I'm able to upgrade my computer with no exceptions and can proudly say, "I built that computer." The experience has increased my knowledge to the workings of computers and I don't have to buy an entirely new computer ever few years. I would strongly recommend you do the same. It really isn't that hard to build your own system. Good bye Dell---hello computer building.

[SLK001]

Doesn't ever one here build their own computers?

[somebodeez]

I love home brews

[gadgetguy]

Doesn't ever one here build their own computers?

Sounds like a poll question...

[rcguy1]

I'm not sure all visitors to this website build their own computers. That would be an interesting survey. Do you build or buy? That is the question.

[gadgetguy]

... Do you build or buy? That is the question.

True, that's why I don't design the poll questions.

[hech54]

I designed my latest computer(not a Dell)....but then again you can do that with Dell as well.
NEVER called customer support for my old Dells.....because I never needed to.
My old Dell PIII Dimension 4500 is still going strong....it's just a whole hell of a lot
slower than it's replacement....time marches on.

[dun4cheap]

I have not purchased a pre-built computer since my old Packard Bell Legend. The only problem with building your own computer you realize you can upgrade and make them faster for a lot less. Then if you have a Fry's electronics near by you end up making upgrades monthly, 4 gig of ddr2/3, quad core processor etc. What I have learned though is start with a good foundation. (Put a decent mother board in the case, whether you like abit, asus or whatever your flavor buy a decent board.)

[stiltman]

My old Dell PIII Dimension 4500 is still going strong....it's just a whole hell of a lot
slower than it's replacement....time marches on.

Hmm, my Dell 4500 is a P4 (no hyperthreading) It originally came with a 1.6ghz and I upgraded it to a 2.6ghz

BTW it's still going strong too, but it seems much slower than my Q6600 machine

[dun4cheap]

I still have my Atari ST, it runs, but it won't play DVD's :P...

Face it, most of us here don't upgrade our computers because our last one failed. I am not in a race to keep up with the Jones's, but when I can double my computer speed ever year or so for $100 I do.

Most computer failures are heatsink issues, power supply issues or hard drive issues. The heatsink and powersupply issues are all to common. You put a cheap unregulated power supply in your case your bound to have problems. I have only had one bad processor and I have built over 100+ computers in my lifetime.

I frequent the Fry's adds, I mean 2 weeks ago they had a box Q6600 processor and mother board for $149. If your kid needs a computer, they always have a intel chip and motherboard for $49 every other week which would out perform the power hungry pIII chip. For day to day client machines the ECS boards they usually include will suffice, but for pushing the envelope I prefer ASUS boards but there are other options.

[handyguy]

Most of those I build lasted about 2-3 years.

Got a Dell & it's been perfect for 6 years.

[Jim44]

I've built my last two computers. First one is now my son's, and still working fine after 5 years. Of course, my new AMD quad-core gave me some overheating issues a couple of weeks ago when temps were in the 100s here for several days. Have a new HSF waiting to get installed.

[jagabo]

Except for a Commodore Amiga I haven't bought a computer since 1984 when I bought an IBM PC XT. All the computers I've used since then I have assembled myself.

[edDV]

The main reason to build your own computer is to have documented optimal components that you can service yourself. It may not be the cheapest purchase but the computer will be easier to self maintain and upgrade in the future.

[MJA]

I've built my last two computers. First one is now my son's, and still working fine after 5 years. Of course, my new AMD quad-core gave me some overheating issues a couple of weeks ago when temps were in the 100s here for several days. Have a new HSF waiting to get installed.

don't forget to ad Arctic Silver 5

[Jim44]

I've built my last two computers. First one is now my son's, and still working fine after 5 years. Of course, my new AMD quad-core gave me some overheating issues a couple of weeks ago when temps were in the 100s here for several days. Have a new HSF waiting to get installed.

don't forget to ad Arctic Silver 5

Thanks, but bought the Arctic Cooling Freezer 64 Pro, which has the thermal compound pre-applied. 8)

[hech54]

My old Dell PIII Dimension 4500 is still going strong....it's just a whole hell of a lot
slower than it's replacement....time marches on.

Hmm, my Dell 4500 is a P4 (no hyperthreading) It originally came with a 1.6ghz and I upgraded it to a 2.6ghz

You could be right....it might be a P4 1.6 or 1.8ghz....next time I hook it up
on the other monitor I'll have to check. Right now it is my Frankenstein computer
with different HDDs laying around with different Operating systems on them.

I don't know how to dual boot.

[lordsmurf]

Some of the OP's post just is not true. My main computer is a Compaq, and it's been upgraded so many times (including the CPU) that it doesn't use anything "original" beside the case and motherboard. Dell and several others let you pick the parts used to build a system.

Most people do not want to OC a CPU anyhow, so that's a bad reason to build.

I don't even see why anybody would call tech support. Half the time you'll know more than they do anyway, and they love to give canned responses of "restore the computer with the factory discs" -- nevermind that it deletes everything on the computer.

My newest system is an HP laptop. Pretty hard to build your own laptop, I would imagine.

[jagabo]

I don't know how to dual boot.
:lol: :lol:

I don't dual boot anymore. I use removable drive racks. Power off the computer, swap drives, boot. It's far safer -- though more of a hassle.

[Relayerman]

My current PC was bought online from ABS in 2001 and was one of those pick-and-choose-your-options kind of PCs. I have been extremely happy with it and it fills my needs. That said, I'm now thinking of getting another PC and the build-it-yourself thing is intriguing, but I have some questions:

1) in the old days the on-board audio usually seemed to be inadequate so I opted for a SB Audigy to go along with my ATI AIW 8500DV. The pair worked well together despite what others have said. While I will opt for a good graphics card and some kind of tuner/capture card, is on-board audio sufficient nowadays? Or should I go with some kind of audio card as well (I really liked the SB Audigy with its front panel accessories; I use just about all of them)?

2) where does one start when investigating what kind of motherboard to go with? It seems the options are endless and sometimes it takes some bit of rocket science to figure out the specs (at least for me, but I'm learning).

3) is there a formula to figure how much of a power supply one needs? Or does one just add up the mobo spec, graphics board spec, etc?

Relayerman

[johns0]

Most of what the original op said was true,very few dell and compaq and similar can be upgraded fully,i have serviced lots of these computers and the only thing you can upgrade is cpu and ram and usually just only 2 sticks of ram.

Its a nightmare to open the cases and replace anything and if you are lucky enought to get a model that has all parts upgradeabled then you paid a lot for it.I have always built my own computer and would never buy a prebuilt as most parts put in are very cheap.

Best way to find out what parts you need to put in a computer is to use google and see what people like best such as mb's from abit,asus,gigabyte etc,as to the psu its best to get a quality name brand with 600w for the newer mb.

[rcguy1]

Relayerman, (1) I'm using a Gigabyte motherboard and it has good on board audio. So no sound card needed. (2) The motherboard depends on which cpu you choose, Intel or AMD, SLI or not and what do you want to pay. MY motherboard cost about $150.00 and it has more options than I needed. Probably could have gone with a$90 board because I not using SLI. (3) For power a 600 to 750 watt power supply will be more than enough for most systems. Remember don't cut corners with the power supply, but purchase a name brand power supply. You may visit eggxpert.com for more advice and see what others are building. You can buy name brand parts from many companies on the internet but I prefer Newegg because of price and their return policy. Good luck on your build.

[John]

The first PC I bought was a Compaq 286 laptop, 2nd hand, in 94, just to play with rather than my Amiga, about 2 years later 96 I started building my own never actually bought a new system just upgraded as nesisary. every 8 months or so. so i get the lates system for minimum spend. though thinking back a few months, that water cooling system and new phenom processor, motherboard, best part of £500, is hardly minimum spend, woth it though.

[rcguy1]

For those that are thinking of building their own system. Here i s a great website. http://www.eggxpert.com/forums/18374/ShowForum.aspx

[Po|arbeaR]

I like to build my own systems. You get total control over the components your putting into your machine, But the hard part is saving for the good part and not just settling for any ol "ram" to throw in the computer. That to me is the hardest part is waiting and saving for a quality component.

-PB

[SatStorm]

Some discussions are repeated over the years. I remember last time we talked about this, it was about 5 years ago or something?

Anyway:

Ready PCs are not very common here in Europe overall. The ready solutions, usually are made of stock parts and they are a generation or two behind the current hardware. Mainstream users don't touch them, only entry or strict budget ones. You can found those ready solutions on some generic stores mostly

Laptops is a whole different market: We do have the ability to build our own laptops, but we prefer ready solutions for so many reasons: Drivers, support, etc. Also ready laptops are cheaper.

Personally, I always build my own PCs. It is impossible to find a ready solution especially for our hobby (Video encoding / relating).

AFAIR, in North America, it is the opposite situation regarding the Desktop PCs: Your market is dominated by ready solutions and some of them are really great for our Hobby and at the correct price.

Upgrade is something that I don't believe: I have to buy the whole thing each time I need to move on. I gain virtually nothing by keeping some parts. Today, I have 6 PCs just sitting because of this.

[lordsmurf]

I don't know how to dual boot.

I don't dual boot anymore. I use removable drive racks. Power off the computer, swap drives, boot. It's far safer -- though more of a hassle.

They make those "switcher" bays that take up two 5.25 slots. I'd do this, if I ever wanted to dual boot.

I prefer to have 2-3 boxes sitting on the desk or floor, networked via gigabit, and then use a KVM for speakers, mouse, keyboard and monitor. Works even better. You can use micro form factor systems in a stack, if you want to conserve space. Most everything fits on my desk, so space is not an issue.

[yoda313]

Well I definitely would prefer to build my next computer myself. Not sure when. Probably whenever the jaw dropping requirements for the next WINDOWS become available - can anyone say six-core cpu???

But seriously I do wish I had gotten more power and flexiblity in my pc. HOWEVER I have:

Upgraded my factory HP to a dual core AMD from a single core - WITH NO REACTIVATION needed for VISTA I might add.

Added another 1gig of memory to 2 total

Upgraded to a soundblaster FATALITY soundcard

Added a sata riser card for my ADDED BLuray drive.

Added a Nvidia 8400 from the stock 7300 LE.

Recently replaced the 8400 with a 512mb ATI HD All-in-wonder PCI-E card.

Added a 500gb internal drive (pretty much right after I bought the computer).

Recently upgraded the lowly 300 watt powersupply to 650 watts - mind you the first time I've done that



That's pretty much it.


Now I can see the value of spec'ing a motherboard before buying. I'd like to have built in firewire since I've had to remove my firewire add on card for my video card addons. Also I'd like a larger breathing space for a beefier video card in the futur - one that is wider than 1 slot.

Also in the future I'd like to have onboard HDMI and onboard esata so I wouldn't have to sacrifice pci slots for those necessary connections - as well as onboard firewire - I assume that is possible.

I would also like to take on the challenge of a fully personallized WINDOWS installation. I've done a reinstall of course (but only win 2000 - never reinstalled XP yet - THANKFULLY .

But I'd like to learn how to configure board settings and driver configurations on a new board.

Also I'd like to be able to get an airy open case that would not have any constrictions.

This might be sometime next year - go for a high end quad core maybe. Or a six-core????? Who knows........

[MJA]

My old Dell PIII Dimension 4500 is still going strong....it's just a whole hell of a lot
slower than it's replacement....time marches on.

Hmm, my Dell 4500 is a P4 (no hyperthreading) It originally came with a 1.6ghz and I upgraded it to a 2.6ghz

BTW it's still going strong too, but it seems much slower than my Q6600 machine

I don't think you can switch the power supply on dell Pc's

[lordsmurf]

Some of the Dell's, yes --- Some of them, no.