To Buy or Not To buy, That is the question

[csmighty1]

Simple question, Is it better to build your own computer or to buy it from a store?
I think building it is better because you know exactly what your buying/what you want in the computer to suit your needs and arn't getting anything extra. I only ask this because I'm building a computer for my friend and while skimming through some of my magazines, I have spotted computers that cost as much or alittle more than the one I'm building. Help!

Also I'm trying to decide between the Pentium 4 @3.2mhZ w/ HT and 800mhZ FSB OR the AMD 64 bit 34000+ any suggestions?

 

[ComradeBadger]

Build it. Easy

 

[Maxi]

I'd get the amd 64 for two reasons

1, it wipes every intell in almost all tests

2 its 64 bit

 

[RandomPING]

Building a computer definately doesn't make sense if you're just looking for a net ready computer for a family member or friend, in the end a mid performance system from Dell is going to be the better value. While the hardware all together may be a little bit cheeper in all by a couple hundred dollars, think about the software. XP home can run 300 bucks for a fresh install version (unless you buy OEM for like 100), and the most recent microsoft office is fairly expensive, and various other licences'll cost ya money.

So it all depends what you're looking for to decide if building or buying is better. Definately if you're building a high end gaming rig, better to build, otherwise it's usally cheeper to buy, and that offers better warrenties.

Oh yea, the AMDs are very sexy. Definately go with the 64 bit, it'll add to the longevity of the computer.

 

[Varg|Hund]

the AMD 64 bit 34000+

Woooh...the 34000+..That sounds fast:E
And yeah, go for the AMD 64, it will last longer.

 

[csmighty1]

alrighty....I needed to keep a below $2,000 computer and my friend wanted an awsome gaming rig. Well, he needs one for colleg, so he didn't want surround sound so I got him a pair of kick ass 2.1 speakers @ 200W output. So obviously I don't need to get the Audigity 2 ZS PLatnum. Instead I got the Audigity X-Gamer (24bit for $50, good in my book) OK, I tried pushing him towards to 9800 XT but he wouldn't bite so I had to settle for the 9800 PRO. Let me just post these specs so you guys can tell me what you think. (I think I'll go for the AMD but my friend (Ted) Wonders why 64 bit computing is so much better than 32. I tried telling him but I just I'm just going to have to drag him along with the AMD.)

Here ya go

Case: Cooler Master Wave Master ---$144
Power Supply- ULTRA 500W (think I should tone the wattage down? If so, can you recommend another? -$70
CPU- AMD 3400+ - $420
Motherboard- Chaintech-ZNF3-150-nVidia nForce 3 - Socket 754 ATX - $210
RAM - Kingston Dual Channel 1024MB PC3200 DDR 400MHz - $170
Video - Radeon 9800 Pro - $280 (Isn't there a better version of the 9800 pro?)
Sound - CL SB Audigity X-gamer - $50 (mobo has built in 5.1 sound but who doesn't want 24bits?)
Hard Drive - Seagate 80GB SATA 150/7200 - $120 (don't need a ton of space but more is better, thinking about RAID setup but that puts me over budget)
DVD rom- 16x internal IDE/ LG electronics - $32
CD Burner - FNI CD-RW - $45 (bit expensive?)
Floppy drive - a $15 one
Mouse - Microsoft Intellimouse - $20?
Keyboard - one from Wal mart
Speakers - Logitech Z-2200 2.1 - $150
Moniter - Syncmaster 955 19" Samsung - $203
CPU Fan- Speeze AMD K8 Cooler Fan- $25 (says it blows air down onto CPU where it "cools motherboard parts" itsn't fan supposed to blow hot air away from parts and not onto them?)
All in all this comes out to $1969 (plus $30 for Shipping...Most of the stuff is from CompUSA.com, so I get free shipping) for a grand total of $1999.00

Thoughts? suggestions?

 

[Murray_H]

The 9800 XT is 'better', but the difference is only mariginal (and can be regained by overclocking i have been told )

 

[csmighty1]

one other small problem that I'm running into while looking for an AMD motherboard. The AMD 3400+ says that it has a 1600MHz FSB but alot of the motherboards made for the AMD 3400+ say that it only supports a FSB of 800MHz. what's up with that? I have only encountered 1 motherboard thats say it supports a 1600MHz FSB and It didn't support Dual Channel (that's why I'm not getting it) Could someone care to explain?

 

[gh0st]

some motherboards dynamically overclock your fsb. it would insane if it got to 1600mhz but im sure its possible

edit: build your computer. you will get the pick of all the parts. dell/gateway/compaq etc use.. well... crappy parts. often times they are built poorly too. you will get a much better pc if you build it, particularly for performance:cost ratio.

edit2: GET that motherboard (and tell me what it is ). all athlon64's use single channel memory. if you want dual, you need an FX-XX processor. the only real difference that it makes is rendering time and basically workstation types of applications. if you want a savage gaming rig, that 3400+ will do it foryou.

 

[[MLB]Loser]

Go to Newegg.com first of all. Thats the best part store there is. I built my Athlon64 3200+ rig for $1500 shipped, but with no monitor, since I already have a 19" CRT. My 9800 Pro was $214, its a Sapphire. I got the Asus K8V Deluxe mobo for $155, it has built in 6.1 sound-24 bit sound. Hit me on AIM if you want more info.

 

[gh0st]

i got the retail 9800 so id get halflife2

 

[csmighty1]

Thanks for your suggestions. I changed a couple things...The CPU Fan is now a Thermatake Volcano (AMD 3400+) Monitor is now a EN-985e 19 inch monitor (changed because has better refresh rate at 1600x1200 and can go up to 1820x1480 (i think) and has a refresh rate of 61 @ that resolution for $220 The motherboard is now a Soyo - K8USA Dragon Ultra - Ali- Socket 64 ATX Motherboard with Audio/ AGP8x, usb 2.0, Serial ATA, Firewire, RAID, SPDIF, and Gigabit Support ($180) I'll compare the Soyo and the Chaintech right now.... I'll be back with the results

edit 1: Oh yeah, changed hard drive to THD-160GB Maxtor 7200/8MB/ATA-133 EIDE ($135) little slower than the othe hard drive but has more space and because the SOyo motherboard only supports up to 133
Alright the Soyo is not much different and I'm already over budget so here's the final setup

Case - Cooler Master Wave Master (silver)
CPU - AMD 3400+
CPU fan - Thermaltake Volcano
Motherboard - Soyo Dragon Ultra
RAM - Kingston Dual Channel 1024MB PC3200/DDR 400
Power - Ultra 500W (LED's)
Video - ATI Radeon 128BMB 9800 Pro
Sound - Audigity X-Gamer
Hard Drive - Maxtor 160GB 7200/8MB/ATA- 133
Monitor- EN 985e 19"
Speakers - 2.1/200W output/Logitech z-2200
Mouse - Intellimouse optical
Keyboard - MX3300 Office Keyboard
Floppy Drive - A floppy drive
DVD ROM - 16x internat E-IDE dvd-rom
cd-rw - 52x24x52

All comes out to $2073.17 with all the shipping costs and taxes

This computer sound good?

edit: ghost, I'll look into it

 

[gh0st]

i do know that thermaltake makes great fans, ill get 1 as soon as the stock solution dies. im sure you will be happy with your moniter and motherboard, though im looking at the ASUS K8T800 for 155, mostly because i would trust an asus board over anything else. also the reviews for it look pretty darn stellar.

 

[csmighty1]

Thinking about changing motherboard to an ASUS K8V Deluxe...

 

[gh0st]

yeah i think you'd be really happy with that pc, itll blow away about 99% of all other PC's

edit: heres some reviews for that k8v http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=13-131-473&depa=0&section=4