build or buy?

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vze3rvb2

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Jul 27, 2006
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New to the forums . . . and looking for advice.

I am ready to build something (for the first time). I am looking for a Core2Duo 6600, a P965 mobo, 2gb ram, a 256 7600GT, a 250 gb SATA drive, one DVD drive (I hope to use some parts from my old Dell) and other components standard. I want to use this for video conversion, photoshop and multi-tasking. My question: I price this out at $1850 on Velocity Micro (since they were well thought of in these forums. Is it worth the risk (no warantee) and time to buy and assemble the components myself? I am a liitle worried about parts compatibility, etc.

Thanks for any opinions.
 
each individual part has a warranty.

If you have the know how or someone to help you, Build it yourself so you know exactly whats going into it, if not.. then yeah i guess have a company do it for you.
 
Encouraged . . . Question #2: How do I know what cables and extras to buy (that are not listed as parts, for example, in a Velocity Micro list of components)? I am guessing that if I order exactly the parts they are using all will be compatible.
 
vze3rvb2 said:
Encouraged . . . Question #2: How do I know what cables and extras to buy (that are not listed as parts, for example, in a Velocity Micro list of components)? I am guessing that if I order exactly the parts they are using all will be compatible.
Click to expand...

Quick question: I was just playing around on VM's site, and I couldn't find a way to get a E6600 and a 7600gt in the same system. The home desktop options only let you go up to a E6400, and let you get the 7600gt, but you can't get DDR800. With the gaming systems you can get the E6600, and the DDR800, but you are also forced into a 7900gt or higher, plus an nForce motherboard instead of a P965. I wish they would be like some other boutique builders and just allow the full range of parts on any system.

As for your question:

You shouldn't have to buy too many extra cables, if any, if you go with retail parts.

Your motherboard will come with some IDE and SATA cables for your drives, and some retail hard drives (maybe all) come with a cable too. The power supply obviously comes with all of the leads to attach everything to it (and should come with a power cord, but who doesn't have half a dozen or so standard computer style power cords laying around the house), so on, and so forth. If you buy your CPU OEM you will most likely have to buy your own heatsink. For the most part however (I know this was the case in my last build) you don't have to buy any extra cables to get it all working.
 
Build yourself would be the best option..

But, if you feel unsafe about building your own, you can build that exact system you want at Monarchcomputer in their "custom systems" category. They offer extended warranties on the entire system as well. I order all my mobo/cpu combo's thru them with extended warranties. Its great incase something dies so you don't have to worry about it. I've used their warranty on several occasions at work with motherboards that have died. Its quick with no questions asked whenever I had to use it.
 
Build.

If you get in trouble we're all here to help. The knowledge and sense of accomplishment are well worth it, as is the sense that you can fix your own pc if something ever goes wrong.


As far as cables - I don't think I've ever bought an individual IDE, SATA, Y power cable, audio, VGA, DVI, or standard pc wall plug - and yet I have dozens of each. There are usually left over pieces on a build.

For example, if you get a retail SATA drive it will likely come with a SATA cable (OEM bare hard drives don't come with cables). The motherboard you bought will also come with 1 or 2. If you put one drive in then you have 1 or 2 left over.
 
Build ^ 1000!

You'll learn more about how your system works and how to best tweak it. Plus, you'll be guaranteed able to swap out bad parts when those bad times come with pretty much any part you wish. Plus, these forums are a wealth of knowledge when things go wrong, so you'll be good to go!

Oh...and mod that case! :D
 
It's a lot more fun to build a computer, then to just order one online. Plus you get the components YOU want. Many computers you can buy online, or in stores, might feature cheaper components, despite have comparible specs, with the processor, memory and videocard.

I suggest you shop around to find the best deals though. Many sites will offer sales and combos on all sorts of hardware.
 
Jerome36 said:
It's a lot more fun to build a computer, then to just order one online. Plus you get the components YOU want. Many computers you can buy online, or in stores, might feature cheaper components, despite have comparible specs, with the processor, memory and videocard.

I suggest you shop around to find the best deals though. Many sites will offer sales and combos on all sorts of hardware.
Click to expand...

Forget buying online, I have had the best luck going to those local 'computer shows'. Sure you have to haggle with the guys behind the counter (well, table in this case) but that is half the fun, and you can get some great deals. Then again, I live in a sales-tax free state, if you have sales tax where you live, that might add up to something.
 
if you dont feel comfortable putting it togeather your self buy all the components online then take them to a local computer store and let them put it togeather for you

the compusa near my house will assemble it for around 100 bucks :)

you will easly save alot more money then if you buy online they tottally rip you off !

and with the money you save you can get better hardware games beer or whores !
 
Thanks to all of you for encouraging me . . .and I will ask for help if I get into trouble!

Aelfgeft said:
Build ^ 1000!

You'll learn more about how your system works and how to best tweak it. Plus, you'll be guaranteed able to swap out bad parts when those bad times come with pretty much any part you wish. Plus, these forums are a wealth of knowledge when things go wrong, so you'll be good to go!

Oh...and mod that case! :D
Click to expand...
 
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