Caleria wrote:
Shelgeyr wrote:
Don't know that I'd agree with you there, Lenas. I've done several price comparisons over the last 10 years or so and have noticed that pre-builts have been beating out piecemeal lists for quite some time now.
Compare this Dell desktop to your parts list.
Not sure how the video cards compare but it looks to me like a better build for less money, especially when considering the fact that you don't have to put it together yourself. Also, your parts list omits an optical drive and operating system.
Self-built used to be the hands-down winner, but that was years ago. Pre-built is looking mighty strong these days.
Compare this Dell desktop to your parts list.
Not sure how the video cards compare but it looks to me like a better build for less money, especially when considering the fact that you don't have to put it together yourself. Also, your parts list omits an optical drive and operating system.
Self-built used to be the hands-down winner, but that was years ago. Pre-built is looking mighty strong these days.
It really depends on what you want the PC for. That is a decent Dell system, but the video card is not that great for gaming. Also, in most pre-built systems, you get a really, really crappy power supply. And Dell and HP are notorious for using Power Supplies that are not only cheap and under-powered, but also, not standard sizes. As in, if you bought a regular power supply to replace theirs, it won't fit in the system without removing something else, like the optical drive. I've had this happen many, many times in HP systems. I couldn't put a standard size power supply in the case without removing the optical drive. Which means, you have to special order a replacement from HP/Dell, and they charge you way too much for what you are getting.
This. If I'm buying a machine for a family member that wants to surf the internet, I go pre-built. Warranty, customer support, and they'll run the damn thing for 8 years until it's time to buy another pre-built without doing anything to it (back in the day, maybe adding more RAM, but now they come with so much even that is unlikely).
However, if i'm buying a machine for a gamer, I build them one, for the exact reason specified. Pre-builts are not designed to be upgraded. Each part is whatever the manufacturer could get a bulk deal on that month, so their mainboards/Hard drives/Power supplies/Ram Manufacturer/optical drives change frequently. Even buying the same model doesn't guarantee a compatible part. I've seen many a system crater just by putting in an add-in board. If they're what you need, and all you need, and you don't care about upgrading, go that route. If you ever want to upgrade, build your own, or go through one of the custom builders like Ibuypower who lists EVERY part you're getting. One caveat of that though, is that if you don't know what you're doing building a PC, there's always the chance you could hook something up incorrectly or fry something. They're much more idiot proof now than when I started (plugs only plug in one place/one way) but there's still some steps that can get janky, and frying your new proc when you incorrectly put on thermal paste/heatsink will shoot your costs over pre-built every time.
If you're definitely going pre-built, I have to say, this actually looks like a decent deal:
http://www.ibuypower.com/Store/Ship_Out_Next_business_Day_Summer_Sale_Z77_RTG
However, I have not comparison shopped in quite a while.
