Home-Built Computers VS. Branded Computers

[takeitup]

I meant, how much of a gap in money does the home-built computer has over branded computer? I have heard a lot of people said that you can built your own computer that cost only $600 while branded computer with same spec cost around $1600!!!

Is this really true?

anyways, I just don't think that there is that much of a gap in money. becuase that's like a whole freaking $1000 bucks that you got left there from building your own PC.

Here is what i think.

220 - Pentium 4 HT CPU at 800mhz fsb, 512kb L2 cache at 3.0Ghz
110 - Motherboard that support HT/800mhz FSB and P4 processor
100 - 512mb of ram
50 - keyboard, mouse, floppy drive
40 - case, power supply and 4 fan
50 - usb port, network card, 56k modem
50 - DVD-rom drive
180 - video card, sound card, speaker
60 - 80GB 7200rpm hard-drive

total: $850 bucks

while at Dell, this P4 3.0Ghz computer is only $999: http://configure.us.dell.com/dellstore/config.aspx?c=us&cs=19&kc=6V524&l=en&oc=D83SO&s=dhs and it included Windows XP home preinstalled plus with a free 15in Flat Panel too and they will build the system for you.

so, does Home-built PC really have that much advantage in prices???

[dragonmaster]

eh? saw P$ 3.0 800bus.. box CPU with intel mother board around 300 total... DVD drive hhmm would be around 30 buck only.. HD 160GB for around 75.. with 8mb buffer.. 512ram = around $40... USB/cat5... on the motherboard... video card.. $50... case and power supply good one around $100.. keyboard mouse and floppy lety say 50.. still cheaper than what you built :-p... it's a matter of how you get your stuff.. and where you get the stuff too... it's indeed much more expense if you just go out there blindly and buy it...

[takeitup]

$650 dollar total, not bad. but if you going around buying stuff that are so cheap, your computer won't turn out to be that good even with P4 3.0ghz :(

anyways, if you add a 15in flat panel with windows xp home, that would be around 200 bucks so total up would be: $850 :)

[OzMystic]

Home built machines can cost a lot less especially if you need repairs after warranty expires. I had to replace a PSU for a customer last month. A clone PSU cost $30 AUD whereas the 'name brand' PSU cost $130 AUD. Go figure

[Jesterrace]

I think it really depends. If you are familiar with PCs a home built computer really is best. Part of the problem is that even though you might be able to get similar specs, you might not be getting quality parts. I notice that a number of them use boards with sis chipsets. Most will agree that these are not the way to go. Also you stand a better chance of not having compatibility issues if you get your own setup.

[Neo]

In most cases, branded PC's will usually cost less. Since monoply companys like DELL can afford to buy millions of parts from other manufactors (CPU, RAM, HD) all at one time. And they obviously get it at lower prices than you would be able to pick up the same component anywere else. But, I belive the reason most people like to build their own PC's is because you can buy better components. And not be stuck with some cheap micro ATX mobo. A good example would be that dell might use grade B capacitors on their motherboards and lower grade IC chips. While a manufactors that specialize in mobo's, EX: Abit, Asus, etc.. Use mostly all grade A components since they specialize that area of. The question is not about price, but about quality most of the time.

[aaronjon]

with DELL etc. you buy whats in the box, with self (or commission) build you buy what you want in the box.
many a heartache has been caused with DELL etc. m/c`s not being easily or cheaply upgradable, specially mobo`s, cpu`s, graphix, psu`s.

[Mr Snatcher]

I agree with wiz again. Dell isnt very upgradable, and have had there issues. Home built is better for other reasons. Its is a learning experience, you get what YOU want, you have more to mess with..ie overclocking, higher quality parts, or some people enjoy putting them together and take a little pride in it. You get what you pay for!!!

[takeitup]

eh? saw P$ 3.0 800bus.. box CPU with intel mother board around 300 total... DVD drive hhmm would be around 30 buck only.. HD 160GB for around 75.. with 8mb buffer.. 512ram = around $40... USB/cat5... on the motherboard... video card.. $50... case and power supply good one around $100.. keyboard mouse and floppy lety say 50.. still cheaper than what you built :-p... it's a matter of how you get your stuff.. and where you get the stuff too... it's indeed much more expense if you just go out there blindly and buy it...512mb ram for $40 bucks! lol that is like super dirt cheap, where is that, can you please show me the site and i'm also in need trying to look for a harddrive, where can i get that 160GB for only 75 dollar??? how many rebate do i have to use?

[smokafatty]

newegg usually has 160gb hdds for $90something shipped. no rebates.

[Virgin San]

A few years ago it was a lot cheaper to build your own, nowadays the price difference is marginal as the competition for PC sales has hotted up.

What you also have to remember when you price up your own box is that you don't get a monitor or software with that, and your "return to base" warranty is weaker than the warranty you would get on a complete system - so in some ways you lose out.

BUT - if you do your homework and build your own machine using quality components which work and play well together, there is a lot to be gained in performance, stability, reliability, upgradeability etc etc etc. With most "off the shelf" machines you void the warranty if you upgrade any components yourself, which I would consider to be very limiting.

As with all things, its a question of horses for courses. Some people will be really interested in learning how to build and maintain a great system, others just want something they can unpack, plug in, and send away somewhere when it goes wrong. Personally, I'm a builder - and thats largely because all the shop bought machines I've used at work / uni have been well below the performance of my (lower spec in some cases) home built machine.

[dragonmaster]

512mb ram for $40 bucks! lol that is like super dirt cheap, where is that, can you please show me the site and i'm also in need trying to look for a harddrive, where can i get that 160GB for only 75 dollar??? how many rebate do i have to use?eh? i shop around quite offen.. this week check @ compUSA..http://www.compusa.com/products/product_info.asp?pfp=SEARCH&product_code=310369pfp=SEARCH&product_code=310369. WD 160GB around 60? plus taxes and stuff would bring it up to around 75 max i would guess and ram i usually buy the kington 256 DDR 2100/2700 for 20 bucks after rebates @ OfficeMax.. plus taxes = 25 so two stick get you around $50 512 these are ram not those cheap one.. if you want checp one let me see...for 26dollar shipped for 256 2100 or 30 buck shipped for 2700...

[mysteryman]

This is a no brainer for me.

I have a p4 2.4c with top of the line components overclocked 1:1 to 3.3 GHz.
It will run faster than anything you can buy from Dell.

My cost $1250, which includes #1 rated monitor and xp pro and office 2003
professional.

A friends cost for a 3.2GHz equivalent system from Dell?

$3000

Nuff said. I did alot of homework to get incredible deals, so if you ain't got
the time, spend the dime.

[nightheart]

Well I'll throw in my 2 cents...........mostly concerning dell. I've dealt with Dell quite a few times, trying to upgrade/repair other people's pc's and laptops. First off with a home built machine, if you can troubleshoot it yourself, an RMA is a quick phone call away, and most often there aren't many questions asked. I've RMA'd stuff to crucial, ATI, Asus, and chaintech, quick phone call, and get a number and mail your defective product out. Called dell to RMA a laptop with a bad motherboard (yes it's going around), 3 hours later, the tech tells me he thinks the mobo is bad. Well duh, I told him that 3 hours ago.

Even if its not a dell specific part, Dell must handle all returns as its an oem part. Also most big oems' dell and gateway, also preload all this crap on your pc for you, and most of it is only demo versions. With a custom built machine, you know what software you've installed, and why its there. Does anyone need 75 links to dell's homepage on their PC? Also some Dell PC's are locked so that another OS, other than what came with it, can't be installed. And finally, you must get a copy of windows with your Dell system due to licensing restrictions they have with M$. I can buy a legal copy of XP pro, for what they charge for XP home, and its a crappy restore disc, not even a full version.

Hardware wise, I will say this, most Dell systems last, as long as you have no intention of trying to upgrade it ever.

[marts3072]

ive built about 50 pcs and building your own is mucj cheaper and you get to choose the quality of the parts and the spec you want.

No crappy onboard sound/graphics along with a decent gfx card /monitor

If you buy from Dell they are normally business machines and not made for the latest gaming.

:wavey: :wavey:

[Neo]

lol, how did this thread become an opinioned review of dell?

[nightheart]

lol, how did this thread become an opinioned review of dell?'

Y not? Dell is the only Big name OEM Company that has had increase in sales, and posted profits over the last 2 years. Gateway, HP, and sony are barely breaking even at this point. They're aren't going out of business at anytime, but Dell's earnings continue to rise. Also Dell's PC's are the cheapest on the market right now.

I've learned one thing about people., there are just cheap. Dell can build a system with printer, monitor, speakers, keyboard, scanner, LEGAL copy of WinXP, and mouse for 400 dollars. That's a hard price to beat, if your using quality parts, and people that buy from oem's don't understand the difference a few hundred dollars, can make for a system. They just buy from oem's, then b!tch, when their system doesn't perform well.

[Jesterrace]

Didn't know that about the OS upgrade and Dell. Glad to know. I made a last minute decision to go with home built. The thing that really pissed me off about Dell was that while they offer an attractive pricetag, there are a bunch of hidden costs that you don't see until the last stage of the process. So that $400 PC might end up being a $475 PC by the time you are finished, even if you really aren't adding any parts. I'm not saying they are bad, I still think that if you are going pre-built that they are the best deal out there but there is a big difference between what you are getting with $475 of home built equipment and a $475 Dell.

[mysteryman]

CONGRATS Jesterrace! Right decision! Clap clap clap clap

[greenhead90]

it works out cheap building ur own when u r taking a select few parts from ur old pc, things like HD, dvd drive, monitor, keyboard, mouse... so wen u get a new pc u buy jus wot u need rather then a whole new system including FREE??? printers scanners etc.

thats wot i do cause i rebuild quite regularly and i wouldnt have it any other way!

[I-wanna-be-unfamous!]

Yeah, that is what i think you can get advantage of the home built. the number one thing you can take from your own pc are keyboard/mouse and the cdrom drive plus sometimes a hard-drive would be good too.