Build or buy? What do you do?

[nate42nd]

I know a lot of you build your own systems but I would like to get a poll going to see what the percentages are. I started building about 6 months ago and it's addicting. How about you, have you built before and just prefer to buy now or vice-versa, or do you buy all your computers and don't want to bother with building?

 

[OpSysWiz]

Bought an Apple 2E, built every system since then. Yes, I'm an old fart!

 

[Jonathan_King]

I built mine, but it was mostly for the experience. If I had bought a machine with similar (actually a little better) specs from Dell, I would have saved myself about $50. My advice: buy one, unless you have a good reason to build one.

 

[Dubya]

I've done both (building and buying). My current PC was bought and I regret being so lazy because I'm sure I could have built my own with better components for less.
I've already (after only a year's use) had to replace the motherboard, RAM, chassis fans and DVD drive because they put crappy parts in.

If I had to do it again, I'd built my own. Every time!

 

[tw33k]

I build my own. Saves lots of money

 

[ignatzatsonic]

I bought my first one and have built since.

10 or 15 years ago, when the typical PC was 1500 to 2500 dollars, there was considerably money to be saved by building. Those days are gone, with most store-bought PCs ranging from 500 to 1500.

I will continue to build even though I can save little or nothing by doing so. I like the 100% control over components and I like keeping up on PC technology--no better way to do that than to build your own. Most people are probably better off buying.

 

[Barman58]

I tend to Build on a purchased system if that makes sense.

I will normally find that the system I need will be available at a better price for purchase then I can build it for due to economies of scale

I then will upgrade the system a time or two before moving onto the next purchase.

 

[nate42nd]

I tend to Build on a purchased system if that makes sense.

I will normally find that the system I need will be available at a better price for purchase then I can build it for due to economies of scale

I then will upgrade the system a time or two before moving onto the next purchase.

That's a good twist to the question. I'll bet a lot of people do this too Barman.

 

[pparks1]

I've been buying and building computers now for about 20 years. I've built many more than I have purchased. But for a few years, I found that I couldn't beat the price of a Dell desktop when I needed a monitor, keyboard and OS. Those machines performed pretty well for me and I rarely had a problem.

My last 3 machines have been custom builds again. 2 AMD's and 1 Intel. 2 running Linux and 1 running Windows 7.

I enjoy putting them together, cleaning up the wiring and having a machine that is 100% unique.

 

[whs]

I tend to Build on a purchased system if that makes sense.

I will normally find that the system I need will be available at a better price for purchase then I can build it for due to economies of scale

I then will upgrade the system a time or two before moving onto the next purchase.

That's a good twist to the question. I'll bet a lot of people do this too Barman.

Exactly. That's what I do too. I buy on black Friday - could not build anything for that amount of money. Then I add graphics and SSD.

 

[Uber Philf]

I prefer to build my own system, no crapware for one, and 2, highly customisable.

 

[kreesdqban]

I agree with Barman. I've only had one computer (that was solely mine) and have built on or around it ever since...

 

[Barman58]

PP,

I too have found that the Dell machines will fill need for decent specced systems

I always purchased through their Business section so it was often almost as good as building myself.

The advantage to this method for me was that due to Dell's multinational nature wherever the system ended up in the world there would be local hardware support.

An important consideration due to the end use of the systems as components in industrial control systems

 

[nate42nd]

The last system I purchased was an HP a6457c (Phenom X3) and it's hideous. Almost all components are sub-par at best. The PSU, CPU, motherboard are horrible. The CPU is in the process of dying as we speak after one year. It was a "refurbished" system but I expected more than a year from it.

 

[LPDad]

Build pretty much everything, that way you get exactly what you want with the quality components you can afford.
The biggest unintended benefit to building your own system is that once you have done it (once or twice), you will NEVER EVER have to pay anyone the $100 (USD) Fee for just "looking" at your computer when it has a "problem" and does not work. You will be able to fix it yourself (well...maybe with a little online help now and again).

How many people (friends or family) do you know that are afraid to even "look" inside their computer cases, for fear of voiding the warranty. They think the inside of the computer is VOODOO and way beyond their comprehension. We all know that nothing could be further than the truth.

Besides, by spending $50 - $100 a year (usually) you can replace older components, and for a while keep your computer pretty much up-to-date.

Freedom from the (GeekSquad, Bestbuy, Frys, CompUSA, etc) !!!!!

 

[slowrey]

I've built computers since the early 90's and at that time building was significantly cheaper than buying. However when Dell came out with sub $500 desktops the profit margins were gone.

I would say, look at your exact needs and price out one through major players like, HP, IBM and Dell. Make sure you also look at their refurb section which tend to be just as good as brand new.

Then I would look at pricing out the components and see where you lie.

My current computer is a Dell Optiplex 755 Mini-Tower which I bought at Dell refurb for $350.00. Added a video card and more ram and it's a darn good machine for the $500 I paid. However my wife needs a new computer soon and we'll be giving her my Optiplex 755 and I'll be building a new computer to fit my Photography needs whereas when I bought the 755, I just needed a new computer for a cheap price.

 

[Thisislaw]

I always build my desktops for the money, fun and experience of it.
Good luck, based on the vote most people build here.
But it is a biased poll because most of these users are often quite tech savvy.

 

[Jonathan_King]

I see I am just about the only one who believes it is cheaper to buy a computer. I agree that it is nice to know exactly what is inside your system, and that a homemade rig can look better. My experiences are in the $600-700 range. I know for the machine I built, I could have saved myself $50 from buying it from Dell.

 

[esteban]

Other than the two original IBM PCs, my family's only bought Dells (up to 7 now!). My parents recently purchased an iMac, though, and I have an iMac g3 in my apartment.

I've occasionally added RAM, but Dells have always been satisfactory.They come with OS/driver discs, and are usually on the inexpensive side. Every single computer in my house is operable, and with a success streak like that, we/I don't really have a reason to build.

I always build my desktops for the money, fun and experience of it.
Good luck, based on the vote most people build here.
But it is a biased poll because most of these users are often quite tech savvy.

tech savvy != build your own

 

[pparks1]

I see I am just about the only one who believes it is cheaper to buy a computer. I agree that it is nice to know exactly what is inside your system, and that a homemade rig can look better. My experiences are in the $600-700 range. I know for the machine I built, I could have saved myself $50 from buying it from Dell.

No, you aren't alone in this thought. There was a time, 10 years ago when it was ALWAYS cheaper to build your own. However, in modern times with fierce competition and tons of options....depending upon the configuration it can be almost impossible to build for less than you can buy.

With some of the Dells and the HP's at the $400-$700 price points....when they come with monitors, speakers, OS, keyboard, mouse, etc....it's hard to match spec for spec and come out cheaper.

When you are usually talking high end gaming rigs and the like...the manufacturers do charge a hefty premium and it's almost always possible to beat their prices when you build yourself.

Some will argue that the parts you buy will always be of higher quality. However, for those attempting to build a PC for rock bottom prices...they often scrimp on many components and some of the things they buy aren't even to the level of quality that a manufacturer would use who offers a warranty and has to stand behind it.

For many, building is a sense of pride and accomplishment. And for many, that is more important in the end than the exact amount of money spent along the way.