Dilemma: To buy or to build?

[Zacharine]

Build your own.

Pre-build computers usually are pretty decent, though sometimes you see somewhat...less-than-optimal decisions on memory selection etc. They are also horribly overpriced. When I built my computer, I'd had to put a price tag of 120?/h on the time spent on selecting parts and building it in order to arrive at the prices of somewhat equal pre-build computers on sale.

Check out Tom's Hardware for comprehensive guides to how-to-build and on part selection as well as comparative analyses and 'best price/performance' articles. Very beginner friendly ones at that. They also have a good forum of people who actually know what they are talking about, with individual sections for people needing advice on new builds.

http://www.tomshardware.com/

 

[bam13302]

Yea, you can build a top of the line gaming computer for $1,300 and a functioning gaming computer for $900-$1000 from my experience
Unless you want those "intel extreme" processors which will double your prices (can cost over $1k), or get an AMD 6 core for <$300
I just prefer AMD despite the fact that they tend to run hotter because they are so much cheaper, their motherboards are cheaper (i can get a high end AMD mobo for the price of a low end intel board)
/rant

 

[Zacharine]

While it IS possible to build one for that price, you wouldn't do it in this day and age, as it would be several years out of date before it is even built, which defeats the point of a gaming PC.

Funny that, because I built mine at around that budget level. I play comfortably at 1680x1050 resolutions.

My build:
AMD Phenom XII 925 2.8GHz Quad-core, overclocked to run at ~2.95 GHz per core.
4Gb of DDR3 1333MHz CL-7 RAM.
Radeon HD5750 1Gb (PCI-e) graphics card
ASUS AM3 AMD785G Motherboard
64-bit Win7 Ultimate OS (bought via a student's upgrade from WinXP)
High-quality 500Gb internal SATA Hard-drive
Corsair VX550W power-supply (80+ certified, 5 year warranty, inbuild short-circuit protection, overvoltage, -power and -current protection)
Basic keyboard + a basic logitech gaming mouse
Basic case and two extra fans.
display and speakers scavenged from previous comp (22" BenQ and basic logitech speakers)

Total price 560? including VAT and postal. So sure, I can't max out Anti-Aliasing on crysis at 1680x1050, but who cares? I can run any game at 1280 res at max, most at 1680x1050 widescreen while maxed or close to it. And at basic surfing, inside temp peaks at around 37 degrees C, with a max temp of around 50 C at continuous very hardware intensive use (such as top-of-the-line gaming). It's quiet too. Never gone beyond 54C at core temp (56C inside case temp overall), and that was after 4h of stress testing using the prime95 program to crunch prime numbers at 100% with all four cores, while running 3d rendering on the GPU.

Seriously, dear readers, anyone who tells you you need at least 800-900$ to build any kiond of gaming computer is, well... talking BS.

 

[MikailCaboose]

Construct it yourself, though buy the parts from somewhere like Newegg.com. Never go to a company to custom build, because they'll overcharge you even more for a less capable product than their pre-built ones.

 

[Ganthrinor]

Build. Always, always, always.

Not only is it fun to put stuff together, you don't have to worry about some asshole pre-loading your system with all kinds of stupid software like Norton or MSN or 60-day trials of MS Office.

 

[SomeLameStuff]

Alienware computers, while powerful and looking really really cool, are waaaaaay overpriced. You're better off building your own.

I wouldn't ask me for advice about keeping the price down though. I built my desktop for over $3000 somehow...

 

[Bloodstain]

I built my PC for 450?, which should be about $400. 3.2GHz dual-core, 4GB RAM and an NVIDIA GeForce 8600GT 1GB. With $800, you should get really good stuff if you look at the right places.

Actually 450? is close to $600.

Argh, yes, you're right. Euro is worth more. *facepalm*
I will now go away. T.T

 

[Azure Sky]

While it IS possible to build one for that price, you wouldn't do it in this day and age, as it would be several years out of date before it is even built, which defeats the point of a gaming PC.

Funny that, because I built mine at around that budget level. I play comfortably at 1680x1050 resolutions.

My build:

Spoiler: Snip

AMD Phenom XII 925 2.8GHz Quad-core, overclocked to run at ~2.95 GHz per core.
4Gb of DDR3 1333MHz CL-7 RAM.
Radeon HD5750 1Gb (PCI-e) graphics card
ASUS AM3 AMD785G Motherboard
64-bit Win7 Ultimate OS (bought via a student's upgrade from WinXP)
High-quality 500Gb internal SATA Hard-drive
Corsair VX550W power-supply (80+ certified, 5 year warranty, inbuild short-circuit protection, overvoltage, -power and -current protection)
Basic keyboard + a basic logitech gaming mouse
Basic case and two extra fans.
display and speakers scavenged from previous comp (22" BenQ and basic logitech speakers)

Total price 560? including VAT and postal. So sure, I can't max out Anti-Aliasing on crysis at 1680x1050, but who cares? I can run any game at 1280 res at max, most at 1680x1050 widescreen while maxed or close to it. And at basic surfing, inside temp peaks at around 37 degrees C, with a max temp of around 50 C at continuous very hardware intensive use (such as top-of-the-line gaming). It's quiet too. Never gone beyond 54C at core temp (56C inside case temp overall), and that was after 4h of stress testing using the prime95 program to crunch prime numbers at 100% with all four cores, while running 3d rendering on the GPU.

Seriously, dear readers, anyone who tells you you need at least 800-900$ to build any kiond of gaming computer is, well... talking BS.

Unless they are after a PC that won't be obsolete by the time next years/year after game releases come around.

Just for the sake of argument, lets just say DNF actually gets released made.
I would like to actually play the game in all its glory, not toned down so my PC doesn't croak.

Also, As I stated quite clearly, AUD pricing. =3

 

[Azure Sky]

(Large double post, I know, but having it all in one would be just as bad >.<)

Spoiler: Snipity

Gonna have to say build your own here.

Considering that when it comes to computers some parts are retardedly expensive, where as some parts are quite cheap and can still run most of today's software.

The best advice I can give is to have someone (A friend preferably) with knowledge in the field sit down with you and work out what you need from a computer, and what you need to make it last a few years.

While getting a $4000-$5000 gaming beast may last upwards of 5 years before you even notice any performance issues, a $2000-$3000 machine will still last for a good few years before it starts becoming out of date.

As for the $800 you said? Yeah no, just no. Unless you want a comp that is under pressure from just running its OS...

Edit:
I just remembered that a friend of mine priced up a computer for another friend.
The result was a computer that could run things like SCII, WoW, etc without issue but would probably need to be upgraded in a year or two to keep up with technology.
I believe it totaled to just under $2000, not including kb/mouse.

Spoiler: Parts Copy/Paste from a txt

cpu - i7-930 - $359
heatsink - Noctua U12DX-1366 - $89
mobo - evga x58 sli micro - $279
ram - 6gb ocz PC3-12800 c8 - $229
vid - Gigabyte GTX465 - $299
hdd - 500gb WD-Black - $79
dvd - Samsung 223C DVD-RW - $39
psu - corsair HX-650 - $147
case - CM Storm Scout - $119
win7 - Home Premium 64bit - $135
lcd - Benq E2420HD - $259

Hope the info helps. =3

Another Edit: Probably should mention that the above is Australian prices. =x

Wooow hold on there. There is literalyl no point in getting the heap of crap that is the GTX465. The GTX460 is cheaper and performs far better, and can be seriously overolocked. Plus a 650 PSU would be overkill - a 550W would do just fine.
Also look around, may be able to get CL7 1666Mhz RAM.
On a side note, if he gets a 1080p monitor, may be worth getting a bluray drive as over here in the UK they are pretty damn cheap (£40).

Well, for starters, I wouldn't touch either of those cards, but I'm not the one that had a budget for there PC, that would be my friend. As for the reason my tech bud chose that card is beyond me, I am not that knowledgeable on the subject, he works in the industry, I don't, I'll just take his word on it.

PSUs are interesting, I have learned that they run best when they have a much greater output vs the PCs requirements, they run cooler and more stable, both of which are good things.

As for Bluray... I am sure that they are more expensive over here (Aus) and I still don't see the point of them on a PC as very little if any software is released/being released on the format. If you want to watch movies, use a TV IMHO. =3

 

[Xiorell]

I would say build any day of the week.
For the same money I would 100% garen-damn-tee I could build a better machine that whatever offering Alienware have. Yes, with a funky modified case and pretty lights too if that was to float your boat.

My gaming rig (the big bad ass one) would set you back roughly £2,000 if brought at retail prices (as in, if you brought the parts and built it.

The closest I could assemble from Alienware, which ended up being less powerful, less storage, slightly shittier components and without monitor, came to £3,009.01

 

[Zacharine]

Unless they are after a PC that won't be obsolete by the time next years/year after game releases come around.

Just for the sake of argument, lets just say DNF actually gets released made.
I would like to actually play the game in all its glory, not toned down so my PC doesn't croak.

So what does 'toned down' mean? Anything less than max everything?

Because going that route, you need to be buying 500-1000$ worth of hardware every year, to gain the absolute latest graphics gimmick that your average gamer can't even distiguish.

Yeah sure, you could go for that. Meanwhile, back in the real world where people have budgets...

Gaming computer =/= runs absolutely everything to be released two years down the line at max resolutions. Gaming computer means that you can run any games currently out there, plus expected games for the next year or two, at sufficiently good graphics level. What that level is, depends heavily on the gamer. For me, 1680x1050 resolution with some AA capability on the 'heavy-hitters' is way beyond that line. Seriously, my hardware is capable of putting out more detail than what my display AND my tv combined could theoretically display. Is that good enough for me? Heck yes. Did you know most people can't tell the difference between 720p and 1080p from a distance of a meter or two away? Of what use then is it to buy a system that can play a hypothetical future game at that 1080p res, if the user is perfectly happy with 720p or perhaps even 480p?

Your position is like saying you can't get a good stereo system for listening to music, unless it's a 10-speaker system with 4 bass-speakers, a 1200 dollar mixer board and acoustically modified room walls. It's like saying the car you have isn't good enough to drive, unless it's compareable to a 4.7 liter V8 Mazzerati Quattroporte GTS.

I expect my comp to last 5-6 years with only small to moderate upgrading a few years down the line.

 

[Lawyer105]

For me, time is more valuable than money, so I'd go with Buy.

Just remember that if you build it, you risk breaking stuff that you'll have to rebuy, you'll have no support if anything goes wrong, if you solder something wrong (or whatever) and it burns out in 2 weeks, you've got no warranty etc.

Building is only cheaper and more cost effective when you're pretty sure you know exactly what you're doing. If you don't, it's a major headache and (once you add in all the time you've spent fiddling around trying to make it work right) probably not all that much cheaper.

 

[Azure Sky]

Spoiler: Snipity

So what does 'toned down' mean? Anything less than max everything?

Because going that route, you need to be buying 500-1000$ worth of hardware every year, to gain the absolute latest graphics gimmick that your average gamer can't even distiguish.

Yeah sure, you could go for that. Meanwhile, back in the real world where people have budgets...

Gaming computer =/= runs absolutely everything to be released two years down the line at max resolutions. Gaming computer means that you can run any games currently out there, plus expected games for the next year or two, at sufficiently good graphics level. What that level is, depends heavily on the gamer. For me, 1680x1050 resolution with some AA capability on the 'heavy-hitters' is way beyond that line. Seriously, my hardware is capable of putting out more detail than what my display AND my tv combined could theoretically display. Is that good enough for me? Heck yes. Did you know most people can't tell the difference between 720p and 1080p from a distance of a meter or two away? Of what use then is it to buy a system that can play a hypothetical future game at that 1080p res, if the user is perfectly happy with 720p or perhaps even 480p?

Your position is like saying you can't get a good stereo system for listening to music, unless it's a 10-speaker system with 4 bass-speakers, a 1200 dollar mixer board and acoustically modified room walls. It's like saying the car you have isn't good enough to drive, unless it's compareable to a 4.7 liter V8 Mazzerati Quattroporte GTS.

I expect my comp to last 5-6 years with only small to moderate upgrading a few years down the line.

For starters, if you think that comp will last upwards of 2, 3 at the most as far as gaming is concerned without requiring some heavy upgrading you are defiantly smoking some trippy stuff.

I don't know about other people here, but when I replace my now aged and starting-to-suffer PC, I intend to get one that will be perfectly fine for well over 5 years without even the thought of upgrading. I know I am going for overkill, but that would be my choice.

Now, the problem with your analogy is thus:
Any system can play music, it is primarily dictated my speakers anyway unless you are using a $5 walkman or something. Hell, my 10 year old cheapo mp3 player plays perfectly given a decent par of speakers.
Any car can run fine for 10s of years, old or new, just gotta keep them serviced.

Computers however, if you have any real interest in gaming, will require upgrading for several reasons.
-Older parts are harder to replace/service if and when something happens to them.
-Newer parts 'tend' to be more stable.
-Older Motherboards in particular are incompatible with today's CPUs and RAM.
-While running games on lower setting won't kill people, low FPS, choppyness and instability will certainly irritate them, even small amounts are VERY noticeable.

I could keep going, but I have a feeling I have another post to reply to. =(

 

[Azure Sky]

Spoiler: Sniiiip

(Large double post, I know, but having it all in one would be just as bad >.<)

Wooow hold on there. There is literalyl no point in getting the heap of crap that is the GTX465. The GTX460 is cheaper and performs far better, and can be seriously overolocked. Plus a 650 PSU would be overkill - a 550W would do just fine.
Also look around, may be able to get CL7 1666Mhz RAM.
On a side note, if he gets a 1080p monitor, may be worth getting a bluray drive as over here in the UK they are pretty damn cheap (£40).

Well, for starters, I wouldn't touch either of those cards, but I'm not the one that had a budget for there PC, that would be my friend. As for the reason my tech bud chose that card is beyond me, I am not that knowledgeable on the subject, he works in the industry, I don't, I'll just take his word on it.

PSUs are interesting, I have learned that they run best when they have a much greater output vs the PCs requirements, they run cooler and more stable, both of which are good things.

As for Bluray... I am sure that they are more expensive over here (Aus) and I still don't see the point of them on a PC as very little if any software is released/being released on the format. If you want to watch movies, use a TV IMHO. =3

...What's wrong with the GTX460? It's one of the most powerful cards on the market with great performance and even better OC capabilities...The GTX465-GTX480 sucked, but not the GTX460 as it's the GF104 chip, not the broken GF100....
True cooler & more stable is better, but it's the $$$$ of getting a decent 650W which I'd say is the issue, as a Corsair 650W is going to cost a fair bit, or any other decent make.
Bluray are nice because of 1080p films? The format isn't being used for PC gaming yet, but 1080p films are far better than DVD due to both FPS and resolution. For a far better price you can get a 24" full HD monitor instead of getting a TV. Combo it up, save cash in the long run.

Well, I personally think my 480 says otherwise, pity my comp is so crap it isn't being used to its capability's, but to each his own I suppose.

If that is your reaction to the 650w, you would have a heart attack at what mine is...
Ah well, I been saving for my new comp for quite some time, I think I can justify the splurge, seeing as I never really splash out for anything, its a 1 off treat! =3

I still say that if you want to watch bluray, use a TV. =/

 

[Cowabungaa]

I'm thinking of having one built too.
I have a budget of about 5500 euros, so I hope I can get one that plays Fallout 3 and Oblivion on max settings.

You can buy about 4 good gaming computers with that budget, excluding monitors and stuff.

So yeah, I recommend building it yourself wholeheartedly. It's just that I don't trust myself with putting the motherboard and CPU in, or else I would've done it 100% myself too. Now I had to pay about 50 euros install costs.

 

[Railgun88]

look up maximum pc's $640 computer. just add more ram and a better video card. it is a great starting point and leaves room in your budget for better parts.

 

[fuckwit]

Building your own PC is one of the most fun and educational experiences you'll have with a computer.

 

[Danzaivar]

Build you own. Made a computer for my girlfriend a couple of months ago for £450. Had a look about online to buy a premade with equivalent specs, it was almost double the price (~£800).