Considering a new office desktop - build or buy?

If you build your own:
1) You not only get much better quality parts, but really can build everything exactlly as you want it.
2) You may be able to put more bugdet towards a more powerful component such as a CPU, or invest in better software (such as MS Office for example) with the money you'd save vs buying something similar pre-built

The downside to building your own is that you will be your own customer support and will need to deal directly with the manufacturers of your hardware if problems arise in the future.

Building your own may seem overwhelming at first, but its not as bad as it would seem. In the end its worth it IMO. Plus, you'll end up learnign abit about not only the hardware you have, but Windows itself since you need to set it all up as well.

ICit2lol said:

Now a really dumb question if I were to run three monitors I take it I would be running either three different programs or three screens of the same program - sorry but I am clueless with this stuff

You could do both if you wished.

Typically you run multi monitors in 'extended' mode which will allow you to have two or more 'separate' screens. You can drag windows across the screens, have multiple apps open etc

ie Word on one, a browser on another, e-mail on a third and so and so forth.

ie:





The other method is 'cloned' which would display the same image on all screens.

Wishmaster said:

If you build your own:
1) You not only get much better quality parts, but really can build everything exactlly as you want it.
2) You may be able to put more bugdet towards a more powerful component such as a CPU, or invest in better software (such as MS Office for example) with the money you'd save vs buying something similar pre-built

The downside to building your own is that you will be your own customer support and will need to deal directly with the manufacturers of your hardware if problems arise in the future.

Building your own may seem overwhelming at first, but its not as bad as it would seem. In the end its worth it IMO. Plus, you'll end up learnign abit about not only the hardware you have, but Windows itself since you need to set it all up as well.

I essentially agree. My opinion is that if you are pressured for time then get some shop to build one which should be better than one of the mass produced units. If you use quality parts then it's Lego work - look at the system specs of other people on this forum. Here are a couple of very useful links
http://whirlpool.net.au/wiki/hw_guide
http://whirlpool.net.au/wiki/rmp_sg_whirlpoolpcs
This is an Australian site so estimated prices are in Au$ (around parity with US$)

Once you build your own you will be more confident to get your hands in there and make changes. But 4 monitors - wow.

Whilst I agree that building it yourself is is ideal, just keep in mind that not everybody is not comfortable with the idea of doing a full system build.

What we now consider 'easy' can be very daunting to others.

smarteyeball said:

Whilst I agree that building it yourself is is ideal, just keep in mind that not everybody is not comfortable with the idea of doing a full system build.

What we now consider 'easy' can be very daunting to others.

Agreed. But it can be great confidence booster if you are prepared to take the risk.
If you are not comfortable with the hardware, the software/OS things will challenge you.

A little of something I found that might be of interest.
Palit GeForce GTX 680 JetStream 2 GB Review | techPowerUp
It's advertised to be able to use 4 monitors at one time.

Layback Bear said:

A little of something I found that might be of interest.
Palit GeForce GTX 680 JetStream 2 GB Review | techPowerUp
It's advertised to be able to use 4 monitors at one time.

smarteyeball said:

Alternatively, there is nvidia. The GTX 670/680 can actually run four monitors off one card - however price is a factor as the cheapest GTX 670 is around $400




( For an office role, it would be overkill. )

Already mentioned and cost is too prohibitive

My post #6
Do you have a price range to work with?

I can not fine where this question has been answered by the OP.

Layback Bear said:

Kemf could you help us here. Are you asking for one computer tower with the ability of plugging in four monitors OR are you looking for for one server tower so you can network 4 work stations with monitors.
It would also help if we new what kind of work this computers is going to be used for. Example. Computer needs for doing photo and movie editing, CAD ect. are not the same as computers doing accounting and spread sheets.

Good point LB because this will also bring into the equation cost, not only of the machine but the software to go with it - something that I think a lot of people (like myself have) not or have not taken into account.

Plus it maybe a good thing to know also for reasons of updating / upgrading the machine later on.

Perhaps a minor issue but running costs in this day and age of rocketing energy prices ahs me at elast thinking of what I shall be doing with my machines.