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Thread: Is it still worthwhile building your own pc ?

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    Is it still worthwhile building your own pc ?

    Im assuming so , based on popularity shown on forums like this , but ive heard some whispers as of late to suggest its not.

    My main reasons for asking is really trying to weigh up the pros and cons of it all , main one being the warranty I suppose .

    Like most Im on a budget , and ideally looking for media pc under £600 with the option of upgrading the memory ,graphics card , that is not going to go out of date any time soon.

    I do enjoy using my pc for games and pretty much anything media related ( i dont get out muich ) so it is important to have something flexible and why im usually drawn towards pcs with more slots

    I do enjoy fiddling about with songs in fl studio ,and some video / photo work , so a nice sound card would wouldnt hurt . but not as important as important as having something that is at least the equivelant of a nividia 8500 or better.

    Thats about it the it really , in the end above average speed , average - above average graphics , average sound , and at least enough space that i dont end up almost breaking the card ( what put me off upgrading ) trying to get it in.- or in other words something that noob can upgrade.

    thanks. and sorry if this question has been asked 1000 times before - I did search !

    melon

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    Pork & Beans Powerup Phage's Avatar
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    Re: Is it still worthwhile building your own pc ?

    My 0.02.
    Warranties are not worth that much. After all each component will be covered individually anyway.
    Most shops charge at least £120 for construction.
    You also know eaxctly the quality of each item you put in there.
    Society's to blame,
    Or possibly Atari.

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    Anthropomorphic Personification shaithis's Avatar
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    Re: Is it still worthwhile building your own pc ?

    If you hardly ever upgrade and never really poke around inside, then some pre-built deals can be best (yes, I am talking about Dell *duck*)

    If you want a custom PC though, then build it yourself. As much as I love Scans prices, when I look at their pre-built systems it makes my eyes water to see how much they add on the base price for putting it together and providing support (when all your hardware is guaranteed anyway). It's not just scan either, that's an example, all do the same pretty much, I guess it's a lot like insurance, the knowledgeable and careful owners end up paying more to cover the costs the idiots generate....
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    Re: Is it still worthwhile building your own pc ?

    Good points.

    Im just having more than little issues right now with 2 other projects Im working on / trying to build - not pcs though.

    Is there a custom template youd recommend for my requirements that gives you the biggest bang for you buck ?

    thanks

    melon

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    Pork & Beans Powerup Phage's Avatar
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    Re: Is it still worthwhile building your own pc ?

    Do you have a monitor, OS, peripherals etc ?
    Society's to blame,
    Or possibly Atari.

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    Re: Is it still worthwhile building your own pc ?

    Building your own computer is really for people who wish to hand pick which components they have, I for example am very picky about processor/ram/motherboard/case, buying an off the shelf computer will be cheaper than a self built however if you don't need all the bits in the package your value for money is seriously effected. Building your own computer also allows you to update a pieces of your computer at a time. Custom PCs are as expensive in general as Self build as your paying list price for the items and the cost of someone putting them together. When people ask me can I build them a cheap PC (unless I am recycling old parts) I always say no. Generally I build very expensive computers (like many others on HeXus), generally they are all great machines, part from one P4 lemon, I built.
    (\__/) All I wanted in the end was world domination and a whole lot of money to spend. - NMA
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    Moosing about! CAT-THE-FIFTH's Avatar
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    Re: Is it still worthwhile building your own pc ?

    When you say you want an HTPC does it mean you need a small case??

    Do you need a copy of an OS and do you already have a monitor??

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    Re: Is it still worthwhile building your own pc ?

    The margins are pretty small and has various factors really.
    at the £600 price point the financial benefits are small once you factor as said OS/monitor which are provided (especially with someone like dell, less so with someone like scan), and you could lose all your savings on components there.


    Less fun though.

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    Re: Is it still worthwhile building your own pc ?

    Quote Originally Posted by Phage View Post
    Do you have a monitor, OS, peripherals etc ?
    Yes, sorry ( should have said ) I have siemens 22" which suits me fine , a crappy keyboard and logitech one -still crappy , logitech speakers from tesco , and I have windows vista home premium 32 ( though I think its only installable on my compaq ) so I prob need that too .

    m

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    Re: Is it still worthwhile building your own pc ?

    Quote Originally Posted by oolon View Post
    Building your own computer is really for people who wish to hand pick which components they have, I for example am very picky about processor/ram/motherboard/case, buying an off the shelf computer will be cheaper than a self built however if you don't need all the bits in the package your value for money is seriously effected. Building your own computer also allows you to update a pieces of your computer at a time. Custom PCs are as expensive in general as Self build as your paying list price for the items and the cost of someone putting them together. When people ask me can I build them a cheap PC (unless I am recycling old parts) I always say no. Generally I build very expensive computers (like many others on HeXus), generally they are all great machines, part from one P4 lemon, I built.
    Well im pretty fussy but not to the extent it matters whether my ram is in the top 5 list , Im basically your Hummer type guy , I like all terrain economical things ( if possible ) , i can get cheap that look and run more expensive then they should , and maybe have one or two quirky suprises - so Im prob somewhere between you and the average joe - or just weird ( which i dont deny )

    It would be nice if there was comprimise too where I had some of the difficult bits perhaps meshed out leaving me to handpick some things like sound / graphics card .

    melon

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    Re: Is it still worthwhile building your own pc ?

    Quote Originally Posted by CAT-THE-FIFTH View Post
    When you say you want an HTPC does it mean you need a small case??

    Do you need a copy of an OS and do you already have a monitor??
    That would be great .

    Whats HTPC ?

    I would prefer a smaller case or at least no taller than my current ( 15.5 " ) or longer ( same again )

    m

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    Re: Is it still worthwhile building your own pc ?

    HTPC = Home Theater PC

    not to be mistaken for

    HPC/HPPC = High Performance PC
    (\__/) All I wanted in the end was world domination and a whole lot of money to spend. - NMA
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    Re: Is it still worthwhile building your own pc ?

    Quote Originally Posted by krazy_olie View Post
    The margins are pretty small and has various factors really.
    at the £600 price point the financial benefits are small once you factor as said OS/monitor which are provided (especially with someone like dell, less so with someone like scan), and you could lose all your savings on components there.


    Less fun though.
    But if it just tower your after , then I assume it is worthwhile ?

    m

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