If you were to help me build a computer...

[Hokiefyd]

...what would you recommend? I went "shopping" on Newegg today and there's so much stuff, I can't comprehend it all. I have tossed the idea around for a new iMac, and have set that aside for the moment. Then I toss around the idea of upgrading my current Dell Dimension E521, and that's still doable. Now I'm looking at the option of building my own, which I used to do as a hobby YEARS ago, but have been out of the game for a long time.

First off, can I build a computer for the same price as buying new? I would get "some" level of personal satisfaction out of building one, but not enough to justify a 25% increase over the same specs new in a box. In other words, if it will cost much more than 25% more to build vs. buy, then I'm probably already out. To help with this question, I'm looking at the $600-800 range, maybe looking for an i5 or i7 (or comparable AMD), 6 or 8 GB ram, like to have a 64 or 128 GB SSD, good video card, etc. Maybe I can't get there from here, with my budget.

Second, for those computer builders out there, are there websites with "standard" builds or "easy to find" builds for new-comers to the art? In other words, this set of components tends to work well together, or that set of components, etc. There are so many product options out there in terms of CPUs and mother boards and cases and cooling fan shrouds. It's mind-boggling!

Thank you.

 

[shooter250]

I bought an iMac three and half years ago and have been very pleased with it. Unless you want a DIY computer or need windows specific software, I would take another look at mac.

I can't help much on the PC side. Sorry.

 

[NewC6]

There is not a good way to build your own computer for the same price as U can buy a new one. I was in your boat, I built many many PC's and they were almost always faster and more reliable than what I could buy. But the economic advantages of mass production have caught up and basically, no can do. Now, if you want a specialty machine, say a max gaming machine, you basically have to build it yourself. The Specialty game builders don't have the same economics of scale of say a Dell or HP because they are using high end (read expensive) parts and at that point, you can compete with them. Go to maximumpc.com for some insight into the good stuff.

 

[someguy]

You used to be able to save hundreds by building your own and I built quite a few back in the day for work, family, and friends. Now I tell people to buy a Dell. My current desktop has a failing motherboard and when it dies its replacement will probably be a used machine from here since they are local and buyback corporate systems after lease or repo http://www.discountelectronics.com/index.php?l=product_list&c=21

 

[PandaBear]

It really depends. I wouldn't upgrade a Dell because the case format and size may not fit the motherboard I want to buy.

One advantage of building is if you want SSD you would not be forced to pay a rip off margin the large brands usually charge. You also can reuse old components that you want to reuse (DVD/BlueRay burner, special keyboard/mouse) without buying them again. This is probably not that important if you plan to give away your existing machine or need a completely new system. You can try your luck unlocking cores or overclock with your own build, which is pretty hard with big brand prebuild machine. And if you want the highest performance in some components but not the others (i.e. video card performance but do not want a lot of hard drive space or RAM size), then you probably have no choice but to build your own.

If none of the above applies, you won't save any money building your own.

 

[wkcars]

Try www.tomshardware.com if you haven't been there, they have alot of articles and charts and reviews.

Also, check out dell outlet http://www.dell.com/content/segmenter.aspx?c=us&l=en&s=dfo for returned/refurbished pcs, I've bought my last few computers off there and sometimes you find one priced ridiculously low like 30-40% off new or build your own prices. The inventory and prices change constantly everyday so if you don't mind the pc being returned/refurbished you can save alot, and they come with warranty as if it was a new dell, and I haven't had trouble with the pcs I've bought off there.

Or check out some of the online deals sites that post coupons and discounts like www.gotapex.com

 

[Nick R]

Here ya go. I originally had a 6850 and a Phenom II X6 CPU, but had to cut it down in order to keep prices down. The 965BE is easily overclocked, and when I got mine back in december it was $160. It's one of the best bang for the buck out there right now imo. Also, you have a single 6770, and you can always upgrade to a second one in crossfire for performance if you wanted (ie what I have going on )

AMD Phenom II X4 965BE Socket AM3 CPU (3.4 Ghz)
8GB G-Skill DDR3 1600
ASUS M4A88TD-V EVO/USB3
XFX Radeon 6770
64GB Crucial SSD
1TB WD Black HDD
ASUS CD-DVD RW
Antec Three Hundred Case
Seasonic S12II 620W PSU
Cooler Master 4 pack of 12cm fans


http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129042

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131646

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103727

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817151096

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820148441

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136533

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827135204

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814150540

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231314

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835103052

Total: $811.54 with shipping

 

[AccordV6MN]

Back in the days, you sure can build cheaper since they always use proprietary components, now they've switched to more generic like the custom builder's, which bring the price down quite a bit and in some cases, they can sell for less because they buy the components in bulk.

here is my attempt:
the whole cart , not sure if the link will work but here is the break down

LITE-ON DVD Burner - Bulk 24X - Item #: N82E16827106289
Antec One Hundred Black ATX Mid Tower - N82E16811129098
WD5000AAKS 500GB 7200 RPM 16MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" - N82E16822136073
CORSAIR TX650 V2 650W 80 PLUS BRONZE - N82E16817139020
G.SKILL Ripjaws 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3 1600 - N82E16820231428
GIGABYTE GA-Z68P-DS3 - N82E16813128520
i5-2500K 3.3GHz (3.7GHz Turbo) Quad-Core - N82E16819115072
OCZ Agility 3 2.5" 60GB SATA III - N82E16820227725
EVGA GTX 460 1 GB - N82E16814130565

total $830 - $65 MIR + Shipping

you have the option to buy a good heatsink and thermal grease to overclock.

FYI, although it's nice to have fast SSD like the one i suggested above, there are issues with sandforce based ssd need to be ironed out.

 

[ahoier]

Unless you're looking to own some sort of "super machine" of sorts....I wouldn't waste the time building it youself.....sure there's the satisfaction of building it yourself, but the biggest problem I found, as you mentioned, what parts can be "interchanged" as far as mother boards, CPUs, etc.......

That, or look closer at what you currently have....what's wrong with what you got? Perhaps a RAM upgrade would be enough to bring it back up to speed? That is, if you have available RAM slots available....you'd also have to find a Dell reference; to see the maximum RAM size that will work with the mother board that is installed in your current set up.....

 

[Nick R]

Hokiefyd, I build a lot of computers, if you need any advice, just PM me. Building one yourself is much more satisfying than just buying one "off the shelf". And it will be much more expandable and upgradeable.

 

[bepperb]

I think there is probably only a small premium to building it yourself, and if you want an SSD boot drive there it's probably cheaper to build it yourself.

It won't be hard. Can you make a cart of what you have in mind and post it here in case there is a "you can't have this with that"?

If you're going I5 or I7, you might be satisfied with onboard video which would make this very simple.

 

[Hokiefyd]

Originally Posted By: ahoier
That, or look closer at what you currently have....what's wrong with what you got? Perhaps a RAM upgrade would be enough to bring it back up to speed? That is, if you have available RAM slots available....you'd also have to find a Dell reference; to see the maximum RAM size that will work with the mother board that is installed in your current set up.....


Thanks to everyone for their input.

Nothing wrong with what I have now, and I would re-use some of it. It has a 305W PSU. Brand is "Made in China". The brand of everything in that Dell is "Made in China" really. I have 4 GB of RAM in it and that's the max. Four 1 GB sticks is all it'll take. It's enough, but faster is always better, right? The CPU is decent (AMD x64 dual core), but a faster one would work with newer and expanding versions of Windows better.

What I like most about generic cases and components is I can upgrade the same stuff forever. With the Dell, there seems to be enough proprietary parts in there where upgrading is limited. For example, I don't think I could re-use the case and swap motherboards. I might be able to, but I don't think I can. I suppose if I could re-use the case and swap motherboards, I could do it in phases, which would be financially advantageous to me.

I haven't had time to look through the links yet, but I will tonight. Thank you all for your responses so far.

 

[OVERKILL]

I've built hundreds of PC's over the years.

I like the Intel system spec'd a couple posts up, but would go with an ASUS board instead of Gigabyte.

My suggestion:

1. CPU: Intel Core i5 2500 $209.99

2. Motherboard: ASUS P8P67 $149.99

3. RAM: 2x2GB Corsair Dominator $64.99

4. Case: ANTEC 100 case $49.99

5. PSU: Corsair TX650 $84.99 (there's a rebate to make it $69)

6. DVD: ASUS DVD-RW $20.99

7. SSD: Corsair 120GB SSD $179.99

8. HDD: WD Caviar Green 1TB $64.99

9. Video card: ASUS ATI Radeon 6850 $169.99 (-20 dollar MIR)

That is $995.91, and then you can drop about $50.00 off that for the rebates.

You can drop the price significantly if you don't use an SSD, or don't need the gamer video card.

 

[brandini]

There's a newegg bundle for 634 with a core i5 and integrated graphics. It's the perfect place to start.

 

[bdcardinal]

I am really wanting to build a new rig to replace my current one. The current one has one of the Kentsfield Extreme quad core processors which is awesome, but the system is so buggy I cant rely on it.

If you want max performance, wait until November when the new LGA 2011 socket comes out to replace the LGA 1366.

I was always on the side of overbuild. I tend to get the largest and most stable PSU that I can find. My current rig as a PC Power and Cooling 1000W PSU. The nice thing about building yourself is you can do cool things like water cooling like I have. What sucks about building it yourself is if there is a problem you are the tech support.

 

[javacontour]

If you are planning to run Windows, you have to figure the cost of a license when you compare the pre-built PC to building from components.

A legitimate copy of Windows adds at least $100 to the cost of your components compared to the ready out of the box solution.

If you are planning to run Linux or something else, that's not an issue.

I don't think you can use the OEM license on the E521 on the new box. You have to buy a license for your OS if you build yourself.

 

[OVERKILL]

Originally Posted By: bdcardinal
I am really wanting to build a new rig to replace my current one. The current one has one of the Kentsfield Extreme quad core processors which is awesome, but the system is so buggy I cant rely on it.

If you want max performance, wait until November when the new LGA 2011 socket comes out to replace the LGA 1366.

I was always on the side of overbuild. I tend to get the largest and most stable PSU that I can find. My current rig as a PC Power and Cooling 1000W PSU. The nice thing about building yourself is you can do cool things like water cooling like I have. What sucks about building it yourself is if there is a problem you are the tech support.


Buggy?

How so? Send me a PM to discuss.

-Chris

 

[AccordV6MN]

Originally Posted By: javacontour


I don't think you can use the OEM license on the E521 on the new box. You have to buy a license for your OS if you build yourself.


Correct.

MS EULA

10. If I “retire” a PC with an OEM license on it, can I use that software on a new PC?

ANSWER. No. To put it simply, OEM product is “married” to the original PC on which it was installed. Current OEM licenses are not transferable from one machine to another. The software cannot be moved from PC to PC, even if the original PC it was installed on is no longer in use. This is true for all OEM software – operating systems and applications.



11. Rather than purchase completely new PCs, my organization performs in-place upgrades to the hardware on many of our computers. We often times only replace the motherboard, processor, and memory. Since the COA is still on the case and the OS is still installed on the hard drive, this computer is still licensed, right?

ANSWER. Generally, you may upgrade or replace all of the hardware components on your computer and maintain the license for the original Microsoft OEM operating system software, with the exception of an upgrade or replacement of the motherboard. An upgrade of the motherboard is considered to result in a "new personal computer." Microsoft OEM operating system software cannot be transferred from one computer to another. Therefore, if the motherboard is upgraded or replaced for reasons other than a defect then a new computer has been created, the original license expires, and a new full operating system license (not upgrade) is required. This is true even if the computer is covered under Software Assurance or other Volume License programs.

 

[Nick R]

The wierd thing is I used this copy of Windows 7 (OEM 64 bit from newegg) on my old Core 2 Duo system and it transferred with no problems onto this new computer with a fresh install/activation. But the copy from my moms old Laptop didn't transfer onto the basement computer. I dunno. But I'm sorry Jason, I forgot about that until they said that.

 

[Hokiefyd]

That's interesting. I wasn't even going to physically transfer anything...no software install or discs involved...just put my current HDD into the new case and continue using it. But it appears that that's not legal according to the EULA. Thanks for the heads-up on that.