To Build or Buy, that is the Question?

[Razorbacx]

Looks like I'll have some money (approximately $1700.00) at the beginning of the year to drop on a new pc and want to know from you what my best options are. Because my last build totally crapped out on me I am a bit leary of going down that path again, but have not totally squashed the idea. If I buy what or whom should I look at? If I build should I go AMD or Intel? Quad or Dual core? NVidia or ATI? Motherboard and RAM suggestions? I want to buy/build a beast, that is as far as $1700.00 will take me. It'll be used for a multitude of things such as turning family video's into DVD masterpieces, music, games and playing on the net. I'm accepting all ideas and appreciate your input.

Regards,

Razorbacx

[FZ1]

Build your own, it will be cheaper than boutique and more scalable than Dell, HP, etc.

If you are doing video editing, go quad core.
Right now NVIDIA vid cards have more bang for the buck
RAM/MOBO -there are a lot of options right now. It depends on if you intend to OC or not.

[DMB2000uk]

Build, its the only way to get what you want at the best price.

As for suggesting specs, ask again a week or two before you want to buy, as there are some nice releases on the near future that will effect current prices, and maybe give us something better to suggest to buy.

Dan

[Zertz]

Build

[DaIceMan]

"To Build or Buy, that is the Question?"

I'm not sure I see a question in there. ;) I had owned store bought that were a PITA to upgrade forever. I finally built my first PC in February, my 2nd in October, and I'm working to part together another right now.

As stated, building your own gives you control of what components are included, or how much room for upgrade you have. If you plan to run Windows, plan $100-150 for the OS and you still have $1550-1600 to spend on a PC. You can build a KILLER system for that kind of money... especially with the new nVidia cards pricing.

[ibleet]

Theres no doubt about it....Build your own.

I have no regrets that I build my own computers. I will never buy an overpriced pre-built desktop again.

For $1700 you can build a killer system.

[CMcguire]

Just make sure you buy decent components and you should be fine build... hell i did it..
also ..buy a heatsink that screws into to backplace for cpu as well.. plastic pin ones suck
(Don't buy a ninja heatsink... never forgive them for being crap...)

[Methious]

I agree Build over buy, The off the shelf machines are over priced (for any thing decent), mega pain to upgrade, and too many times I've seen 478 pin sold as new machines, or 754 semprons, and out of the gate your settin on an out dated platform. (Mentioning no retailer names, cough Wal cough Mart)

Non-standard connectors from the front panel to Mobo, odd shaped sub standard power supplies, under cooled, dust suckers, some with funky little wire loops holding the cpu cooler down (I hate those). Not to mention locked BIOS, I don't care if I never go into bios (I do) but a locked bios, might as well date the prom queen and make her wear a paper bag over her head.

For that kind cash you can have an awesome build.

[Razorbacx]

OK...then what components? AMD Phenom or the Intel Quad Core? Most stable and reliable mobo? NVidia 8800GT over say an ATI 3870? I'm not going to do any oc'ing and not interested in the any cooling other than air.

Thanks

[Major_A]

Stay away from AMD and ATi for the time being. Intel and nVidia are pumping out much better products. Now if you want a dual core or a quad core depends on what your computer habits are. If you think you'll rarely use a quad core to it's potential get a faster dual core. As for video card I'd recommend the 8800GT, for the price/performance ratio you can't beat it.

So to answer your question BUILD IT!