The cost of building your own computer

I'm sick of all these poeple trying to convince others that premade computers are rediculously expensive compared to buying the parts yourself and building your own. As far as i can tell the difference isn't that much at all, and when you factor in the pain of actually building it and getting it to work i'd say for most people it is not the way to go. I wouldn't defend the quality of something like a Dell or Gateway, but the prices don't seem any higher than assembling a computer myself.

My rough price estimations:
case $50
motherboard $150
Processor $200
Win XP $200
RAM $75
graphics card $100 (and this is suckage)
sound card $75
Monitor $150
DVD rom $50
Hard Drive $100

total cost for capable estimated computer $1150

I would love for someone to explain to me how i can build a good computer for the oft mentioned $500 price point.

Andyrose, what went into your $800 dual display machine which you mentioned in the other thread?

Anyone feel free to tell me how much you built your system for and what's in it.

My parents just bought me a new computer for college, and I got it from a noname company for like $750 or whatever it was (under $800). Buying from nonames is basically the exact same thing as building it yourself, except even cheaper really thanks to their bulk discounts.

Athlon XP 1800
512 megs DDR
ATI Radeon 8500 128 meg
80 gig hard drive
16x DVD drive
SB Live! Value soundcard

No monitor, speakers or OS but I already have those covered. Not too bad considering adding those will only cost you at most $300-400, depending on how crazy you want to get. If you were to try and build a comparable Gateway or Dell you are looking at $1500 easy.

Well...a self made PC CAN be better if you know exactly what you want in a PC. You cant really ask Dell or Gateway for specific motherboards or cases...etc.. but you are right in saying that you wont really save much when building your own pc vs a pre-built one. Pre-built stuff also tend to have integrated stuff (like video or sound) which can really have an effect on the PC's performance.

But there is a special feeling you get when you build you own PC from the parts you want and see it boot for the first time.

Personally, I never buy pre-built stuff from places like Dell or Gateway. I usually upgrade certain parts of my pc..which doesnt cost too much to do.

As for your prices ..well..remember..it depends on what you want.

You can pick up an OEM Windows XP for about $90 on ebay OR just use your current OS (I still use Win 98).

RAM prices frequently fluctuate...so 256 MB of RAM (DDR or Rambus) can be $45 one week and $90 the next.

Prices on monitors vary of course.. I paid $190 for my 19" Samsung monitor.

The only real issue I have with Dell or Gateway PC's is all the crap they install. I've had 2 pre-builts in the past (gateway) and each time I re-formatted my hard drive and re-installed the OS to get rid of all the clutter that was pre-installed.

I do agree with you though..there is no real price advantage in building your own vs buying a pre-built PC.

There is definatly an advantage to building your own computer. But only when your buying a good computer. If you already had a comp, you already have your monitor, case, and OS (or you could get a pirated copy) along with some RAM. DVD drives aren't necessary, but too bad when yuor buying premade. So you just saved almost 500 dollars. Now, getting good prices is all reliant on searching the web. You can get a VERY good mobo for about 100-125 bucks, top of the line graphics card for 175-225, maybe 512 more RAM for 130, 2 GHz processor for 200, and a sound card for about 50-75. You will now have a computer with a 512 RAM (more if you get some from old comp) 2 GHz and about 80 gig. So look, you just spent around 650 for a comp (and you could also make it better by scrapping your old comp) that you would have paid about 2500 for if you were to buy it from a company's site.

I wouldn't say $500, I built mine for about $750.

Monitors can be had nicely cheap refurbished, they still work perfectly, I got my 19" ViewSonic (one of the best Monitor brands there is) for $120.

My 256 RAM chip was bought for $25 on sale.

Any sound card will do, unless you want true surround sound. I'm still running a SB16 and everything still sounds great on it, you can probably find one of these for $5-10 nowadays if you can't find someone to just hand you one.

You can get a GeForce 3 TI 500 for about $100 (Pricewatch has some for $109 right now), and they're still damned nice.

A good case with power supply cost me $80, and it came with a duct and extra fan specifically for my CPU chip.

A motherboard 1.4 gHz combo pack can be bought for about $109 as well.

Bah, unless I'm dealing with some gigantic monitor, I'll stick with my DVD players on HDTV so I go with just a CD-ROM. I actually got mine for free (was handed to me by a friend who had a few extra) but you can get one for damned cheap. I'll estimate $25 for one.

I don't remember what my HD ran me, but we'll go with your $100 price for now. That pretty much leaves us with a Windows program, and I still run Win98 (though I've been meaning to move to WinXP due to it handling large amounts of RAM better, about time a version of Windows ran games better then 98 does).

$583 (not counting Windows) for a complete computer that is actually quite powerful and can run anything on the market pretty damn well.

Of course, we're leaving out mouse and keyboard, but that's up to you. You can get some crap ones easily for free, some decent ones for $15, or some really nice ones for $100+ together (my trackball cost me about $65, I think).

Building your own computer definitely isn't for everyone. If you don't know how, of course you're not going to want to try (and shouldn't), but for instance, CompUSA has an area in their stores where they will custom build a PC FOR you, and yes, it will come out much cheaper and with better components than a retail package, but it won't come with support (unless you buy CompUSA's coverage plan thing).

As for building your computer, no, it generally wont be too much cheaper than not building your own, but you will get better components for the price. One of the main advantages of building your own as well (or getting a custom from CompUSA), is that you don't get any of the manufacturer's specific components or software (or even worse, integrated components), which can really make upgrading very difficult. And finally, for me at least, building my own would save me a lot of money right off the bat since I've still got a monitor, a few components from my current PC I could still use, and of course my selection of OSes, which would all lower the price for me.

I'm can't believe I've turned into a techie nerd.

Premade, or rather namebrand computers, are more expensive. They plan their systems months in advance, and they can't take advantage of the latest deals. The cheapest route is building the computer yourself, because you get the latest hardware at the latest prices. It's really that simple.

Go build a system at NCIX and compare it to a Dell system.

It's easy to spend a lot on a computer, you have to base it around what your going to use it for. If you jus surf the web and type papers, you can get something for $500 and be fine. It's when you get into games/editing/desktop publishing that the cost shoots up. And it's real easy to spend $$$ on a monitor or speakers. I just bought a flat screen (LCD) that I LOVE, but it did cost me some money (...). And you can get some BONKERS speakers now. The Klipsh 4.1 or 5.1's will run you a good 2-400 bucks, but you will be able to blow out your windows with them. I scored an awesome 2.1 set from Cambridge Soundworks for $60 last year. Nice wooden sub that puts out quite a good bump.

Check out www.newegg.com for some of the best prices around. I snagges a 32mb Geforce2 GTS card for 50 last month. I also spotted a AMD Thunderbird 1.33mhz processor for $67(!).

Buying store bought is just easier. Plus if you get one from Alienware or Falcon Northwest, you know exactly what your going to get. Plus FNW tweeks and overclocks (only to where the machine will be 100% stable)it so it runs at it's absolute best. And I think they don't load it down with piles of crap software.

Alienware is way overpriced...
And my brother wanted to buy a 4.5k computer, it was 2.4 GHz, 80 gig, and 512 RAM. I laughed, alot.. I told him he could get all that for about 1000 if he uses his current comp's monitor/mouse/keyboard and extra RAM chips, OS, etc. Such a funny time =P

I just wrote an entire article on this topic, and accidently pressed the "home" button, which then erased it.

To make it short, I am an authority when it comes to computer hardware. Beleive me, pre-built computers suck. Don't knock it for us who pay more money to build our own computer, because until you try it and experience the difference, you will never know.

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Originally posted by Rumpy
The Klipsh 4.1 or 5.1's will run you a good 2-400 bucks, but you will be able to blow out your windows with them.

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I've got some of these (4.1) and can testify that they do indeed rock the house. I've got mine rigged up to my TV for videogame systems, and have never pumped them all the way up due to neighbors and because of just how damn loud they can get. One of these days (probably before the Rez Chair is completed) I'll crack that puppy up for some deserving game and rock the house.

Alienware (and most other retailers)keeps their monitors optional (though AW has some of the most $$$ monitors I have ever seen). You can de-select it (and speakers too) if you want. I think the same is true for KB/Mouse too. Saves on shipping too.

I'm not knocking building your own computer. If you have the know how and means, I don't know why you wouldn't do it. There are a lot of options when it comes to getting a computer (though every HP system I have ever seen has been a piece of shit).

Just make a custom computer at Alienware, the prices keep on dropping each day.

Ok i was gonna stay out of this but i decided not to. If your going to get a prebuilt go dell, no questions, just dell. If your going to build shop at www.pricewatch.com you will save an assload of money. For Mobo stay with ASUS they are the best boards out there. For chips go with AMD, but that a personal thing for me i hate intel. RAM go to crucial.com. Video Card i'm running an ATI Radeon, the original. HD stick with western digital. I got a server case at compusa. CD Drive, any name brand at BB or Compusa by name brand i mean a name brand not a crap brand. Floppy, eh cheap ass one from BB works well. Here is my totals:

Asus motherboard AV266-E w/audio..............148
AMD 1.4Gig chip...............................57
ATI Radeaon 64Meg DDR.........................199
512 Megs of ram...............................140
Acer 52X cd-rom...............................50
TDK 24x burner................................150
Server Case...................................100
Floppy........................................14
Western Digital 30gig.........................80
Altec Lansing Speakers........................80
ViewSonic 17" Monitor.........................220
Keyboard......................................20
mouse.........................................20

Total.........................................1278

Now When i built this the prices where much higher and i have exchanged some of the parts. A good reason to build your own is you can upgrade it. Some prebuilds don't allow you to upgrade it at all. If i think of anything else i'll add it.

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Originally posted by Nemesis
Just make a custom computer at Alienware, the prices keep on dropping each day.

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That is just what i did last summer after pricing something i would have built myself. The Alienware wasn't that much higher, so i went with it. Still cost me $2000 with no monitor:eek:

I've had the Klipsch 2.1s for about a year and i hate them. My first set already blew up on me, so i pulled the switcheroo at Best Buy. Fortunatly the second set still lives but i always get the feeling it's just a matter of time. They make nasty sounds when you plug and unplug them and always run really hot. My advice is stay away, there are other speakers that are just as good that aren't a fire hazard.

Just a note...sweet lord no one should be paying $199 for an original Ati Radeon 64! You could get a Radeon 8500 LE for $87 from www.newegg.com that would destroy it.

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Originally posted by 007bond
Just a note...sweet lord no one should be paying $199 for an original Ati Radeon 64! You could get a Radeon 8500 LE for $87 from www.newegg.com that would destroy it.

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i got it the day it came out, thats why it was so high in price.

Ah..noticed that a few of you guys are fellow NewEgg and MWave customers.. I pretty much bought all of my PC hardware in both those stores.

If you dont really know how to build you own PC you could just buy a barebones system from MWave (case, cpu, ram, mobo) and just put in the rest of the stuff from your current pc. I did that 2 years ago and it was an easy way to upgrade especially since I'm always paranoid when installing motherboards (they do it for you if you get a barebones from them).

As for videocards..the Radeon 8500 is a fine card, but I dont see how anyone would buy it over a NVidia Geforce 4 ti 4200 (64mb) which is $140 these days..thats a card that'll last you quite awhile and you could easily overclock it to ti 4400 levels. But I tell ya.. that Radeon 9700 looks mighty tasty!! Too bad I'm poor :( I want that card!!!

Remember to buy OEM versions of cards, drives..etc.. since you tend to save lots of money compared to buying retail versions..I mean really..if you know how to install cards and drives then you dont need no fancy box or manual.

Hey, something I have noticed is a lot of people like computer speakers. This is fine, but think, you could get an awesome DD5.1/DTS/DPLII setup for as little as $350 that would sound dang good, especially compared to one of those 5.1 packages that use the subwoofer for all amplification.

Example:
Home Theater Direct Level one's
And this1 or this. There are probably a lot more that could be used, but a nice thing is you could have something nice for all current consoles and/or RGB compatible + XRGB2.