Build vs Buy

T

Twinkie

Gawd
Joined
Jan 10, 2002
Messages
640
Hey, gang.

My father's primary PC recently died. I am evaluating the idea of buying a PC from Dell, barebones from TigerDirect, or other manufacturer vs. buying one. He is currently working off his old laptop (P3 w/ 512 MB of RAM), so this is high priority for him.

Looking at some of the barebone kits vs. the Dells out there, I wasn't sure if a Phenom x4 would be a better value over a C2D or C2Q in the <=$500 USD range. Again, I am completely open to buying a barebones or pre-built solution. I am out of my element on this one and am open to suggestions!

1) What will you be doing with this PC? Multitasking, all of these will be happening simultaneously: Stock trading, running IE, Access, Excel, VB, anti-virus scans, mutiple java apps *No gaming whatsoever*
2) What's your budget? Max of $500 USD, excluding tax and shipping.
3) Where do you live? Massachusetts
4) What exact parts do you need for that budget? Case, CPU, HSF, RAM, PSU, Hard Drive, DVD-ROM or RW.
5) If reusing any parts, what parts will you be reusing? I have a Gigabyte GA-MA74GM-S2 board, XFX 8500GT PCI-E video card, monitors and peripherals.
6) Will you be overclocking? No.
7) What size monitor do you have and/or plan to have? 19" monitors; 1440x990; additional monitor would be nice, but not needed.
8) When do you plan on building/buying the PC? ASAP
9) What features do you need in a motherboard? Gigabit LAN strongly preferred due to automatic backups and routine file transfers.
10) Do you already have a legit and reusable/transferable OS key/license? Yes, XP 32 bit only.
 
i would say that if your dad needs a reliable computer and he's not that tech savvy(or you can't always respond to an emergency like hard disk crash), go with Dell with a warranty... that way, if something happens, your dad can trouble shoot with dell and get a replacement...

otherwise, build your own... you already have a monitor... get some parts together from newegg and build your own in a week... you won't get that good of a price of course, but it's something you can customize

i think that the Phenom II X2 550 BE is a great buy... dual core, possbility to unlock cores(or just plain overclock to 3.5ghz stable )

case: $25 for a mATX case
PSU: reliable one, $40?
RAM: 2x2GB DDR2, no reason not to get 4GB, $50
HDD: think newegg has a HDD special this weekend, $80?
DVD: anything.. $40?

$320 for case+PSU+RAM+HDD+DVD+CPU
 
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How many monitors?

Hm... this is a damn good deal for a pre-built quad + blu-ray...

http://dealnews.com/HP-Pavilion-Eli...-Desktop-PC-for-650-free-shipping/313376.html

damn... i think the code is done.

Hm... As for Dells, the typical quad deal is this, but I don't see it active right now. It typically comes back quite often, so you shouldn't have to wait long if you choose to wait for it or something similar:
$529 after $297 instant discount: Dell Vostro 420 Tower with 2.33Ghz Intel Core 2 Quad Q8200, 4GB DDR2 SDRAM, 250GB 7200RPM HD, 16x DVD+/-RW DL, 256MB ATI Radeon HD 3450, Windows Vista Business w/XP downgrade (and upcoming Windows 7 Pro upgrade), and a 1 year warranty
 
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Not sure of past deals but the e5200 will handle the stated tasks EASILY. It's a great CPU.
 
bigddybn said:
Not sure of past deals but the e5200 will handle the stated tasks EASILY. It's a great CPU.
Click to expand...

Yah, it just sucks that the price is the same with the E5200 as it was with the E7400. In any case, I'd get a quadcore for uber muti-tasking. My E7200 has problems keeping up with me at times, lol.
 
paperwastage said:
case: $25 for a mATX case
PSU: reliable one, $40?
RAM: 2x2GB DDR2, no reason not to get 4GB, $50
HDD: think newegg has a HDD special this weekend, $80?
DVD: anything.. $40?

$320 for case+PSU+RAM+HDD+DVD+CPU
Click to expand...

I just bought some parts twice this week on Newegg and you can DVD burners for a mere $25. And also there are plenty of decent sized HDD's for around $50 with free shipping as well.
 
I am a build it yourself kinda guy but in this case...

i would say that if your dad needs a reliable computer and he's not that tech savvy(or you can't always respond to an emergency like hard disk crash), go with Dell with a warranty... that way, if something happens, your dad can trouble shoot with dell and get a replacement...
Click to expand...

QFT - if you build it you have to support it.

Talk to your Dad. Most of us like to (try anyway) impress our Dads and I have no doubt you could build him a fine machine and even end up with a more powerful machine than you could buy for the same money, but unless you are still living in the same house think hard about the support responsiblity you will be taking on. Again talk to him about why you might recommend buying a machine. You know his technical level and the support he might need. Discuss the options and spell out your abilty to support him, (it might not even be an issue, I just dont know if you could for example - leave work early to go help him get a desired stock trade completed because his network settings got screwed up etc. etc. ) He will appreciate your professional approach to the issue. Its not that you are not willing to do the support (lol, maybe you are not but dont tell him that), the question is which method of support will most meet his needs and keep him happy. And of course you are there to help if he really gets in a jam or just has a phone question etc. etc.

My point is HE is the customer and you need HIS input after you spell out the pros and cons of build vs buy.
 
I'm not sure I understand the question?

Once a computer has been built, it's been built. It's just like any other computer. If you know how to build computers, then build your dad a computer. If he needs to have it repaired then he can take it to a shop, or you could fix it for him if you're there. I don't see what the problem is.

If you've never built a PC before then this isn't the time or the place to start, in my opinion.

A lot of people make big mistakes with their first build. This is how you learn. But the learning should be on your own time and expense, not on somebody else's. Trust me, building your own PC is not nearly as simple as some people make it out to be. There are hundreds of things that can go wrong, and it's likely that you'll run into dozens of little difficulties which will have you stumped.

It sounds to me like you should just buy the computer.
 
There is no problem, its just another option the OP has, with the pros and cons listed for them.
 
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