Is is possible to build a custom PC hat is cheaper AND better than prebuilds?

[Dirty_Zulu]

Is is possible to build a custom PC hat is cheaper AND better than prebuilds?

I could understand years back when custom home built computers are better and might even be cheaper than those you buy at CompUSA or such. The prebuilds just have crap onboard sound, vid card, cheap mb, etc...

But nowadays processors, vid cards, and etc. are ridiculously powerful and cheap too. Add the discounts that Dell or Costco is giving and I can't build one that's cheaper AND better.

I need a HTPC so here's what I put together from Dell's site:
PROCESSOR Intel® Core™ 2 Quad processor Q8200 (4MB L2, 2.33GHz, 1333FSB)
OPERATING SYSTEM Genuine Windows Vista® Home Premium Edition SP1, 64-Bit
OFFICE SOFTWARE Microsoft Works 9.0
WARRANTY & SERVICE 1Yr Ltd Hardware Warranty, InHome Service after Remote Diagnosis
MONITOR No Monitor
MEMORY 4GB Dual Channel DDR2 SDRAM at 800MHz- 4DIMMs
HARD DRIVE 500GB Serial ATA Hard Drive (7200RPM) w/DataBurst Cacheâ„¢ edit
OPTICAL 16x DVD+/-RW Drive
VIDEO CARD ATI Radeon HD 3450 256MB supporting HDMI edit
SOUND Sound Blaster Audigy Channel Audio
KEYBOARD & MOUSE Dell Consumer Multimedia Keyboard and Laser Mouse

$545. Comes with a nice sleek slim design case that will look good next to my flat screen.

 

[Johnny]

Re: Is is possible to build a custom PC hat is cheaper AND better than prebuilds?

Probably but you need to seriously research compatibility issues first.

You could have a first class sound card and video card clash with eachother that leads to reduced performance or stability.

When the store built my computer for me they had 2 nvidia video cards that clashed with each other. Despite being from the same company and brand. Had I bought the parts privately I would have been ****ed.

Instead they ran tests on my computer for 2 weeks. Trying out all the processors and hard drives and sound cards and video cards they had in the store til they found a combination that had no stability issues what so ever through all tests.

I ended up with one brand new double radeon card and one 1 month old radeon single card.

 

[krischan]

Re: Is is possible to build a custom PC hat is cheaper AND better than prebuilds?

You can probably save a bit money by reusing the DVD drive, sound card, keyboard, mouse etc. as well as the OS (except you are going to use a free one), but that will lower the sale value of your old one. A prebuilt PC costs less that the parts in separate, of course, but the problem with them often is that a few components are usually not to your liking.

 

[Tanooki]

Re: Is is possible to build a custom PC hat is cheaper AND better than prebuilds?

I wonder if Microsoft gets $200 per prebuilt.

 

[ffejrxx]

Re: Is is possible to build a custom PC hat is cheaper AND better than prebuilds?

yes, if you dont mind building it and supporting it yourself

for what you listed

Intel Core 2 Quad Q8200 2.33GHz 4MB L2 Cache LGA 775 95W Quad-Core Processor = 99.99 or 169.99 at newegg

Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium SP1 64-bit for System Builders = 99.99

Kingston 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 x2 = 39.98

Seagate Barracuda 7200.11 ST3500320AS 500GB 7200 RPM 32MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive = 64.99

HP Black 20X DVD+R 8X DVD+RW 8X DVD+R DL 20X DVD-R 6X DVD-RW 12X DVD-RAM 16X DVD-ROM 48X CD-R 32X CD-RW 48X CD-ROM 2MB Cache IDE 20X DVD±R DVD Burner = 20.99

ASUS EAH3450/DI/256M Radeon HD 3450 256MB 64-bit GDDR2 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFire Supported Low Profile Video Card = 29.99

Creative Sound Blaster Audigy SE 7.1 Channels 24-bit 96KHz PCI Interface Sound Card = 34.99

ASUS P5QL PRO LGA 775 Intel P43 ATX Intel Motherboard = 86.99

MICRO INNOVATIONS EcoSmart KB6000E Black 104 Normal Keys 6 Function Keys 2.4GHz Wireless Standard Keyboard and Mouse Combo = 31.99

case with power supply will be around $30-$50

total 539.90 - 559.90

and shipping will be about $40



that isnt a bad deal, but your getting slow memory and a quad core processor
prebuilts come with windows installed, youll save about $100 by reusing your old os
most onboard sound cards are better than the old audigys, unless you get the xfi titanium series, around $100+

im sure you could do better for less

 

[BobCox2]

Re: Is is possible to build a custom PC hat is cheaper AND better than prebuilds?

But how do you fit it in a Hat?

 

[ffejrxx]

Re: Is is possible to build a custom PC hat is cheaper AND better than prebuilds?

the Eee is $250, im sure it will fit in your hat
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=9199976&st=eee&lp=1&type=product&cp=1&id=1218057032625

 

[Dondrei]

Re: Is is possible to build a custom PC hat is cheaper AND better than prebuilds?

That all depends on what you consider better, and what you can find in local prebuilts.

You should build for yourself if you want a really solid, fast rig with high compatibility and stability. If any old cheap **** will do (and though this may be anathema to technuts, that is very often the case) then get a prebuilt.

 

[BobCox2]

Re: Is is possible to build a custom PC hat is cheaper AND better than prebuilds?

Donny - why are you posting in last year all of a sudden?

 

[Dondrei]

Re: Is is possible to build a custom PC hat is cheaper AND better than prebuilds?

Me no understand Bobbish.

 

[Johnny]

Re: Is is possible to build a custom PC hat is cheaper AND better than prebuilds?

Dondrei posts in blocks. Once a week he comes in for an hour and posts in all these golden threads then disappears for another week.

 

[Dondrei]

Re: Is is possible to build a custom PC hat is cheaper AND better than prebuilds?

Now that I'm working I don't have much time on here. Plus the other place loads right away but here every page takes like a minute and a half. And things seem to be moving a bit slower around here lately.

All of which is a good excuse to cut back like I've been telling myself I should for years.

 

[zrk]

Re: Is is possible to build a custom PC hat is cheaper AND better than prebuilds?

If you want cheap, dont bother with new stuff, whether its put together by you or the company.

USED is always much cheaper, as far as electronics is concerned, prices decrease very fast over time and reliability isnt much of a concern with desktop computers