How much money is saved building your own rig?

[AVGWarhawk]

Originally Posted by mookiemookie

I just ordered a new system from ibuypower.com. This will be my third from them...always had good experiences with them.

I used Cyberpower. I selected what I wanted in the box and anything else. I think I got a heck of deal. Ran like a champ right out of the box and still does today. Will be one year after the 25th of this month. Best part of building your own or getting one built, the OS is bloat free. Nothing! No free this or that. Try this or that free for 30 days. Bloatware is ever present on off the shelve deals.

[longam]

I've never done a cost comparison, but I wonder how much the difference it would really be after you ad the cost of the OS?

I know every time I would build my own that wasn't a factor because XP was around for such a long time, but the last pre-built I purchased the OS cost was a considerable savings compared to purchasing it separate.

Something else to consider.

[Arclight]

Well, like you say "every time I would build my own that wasn't a factor because XP was around for such a long time". As long as you stick with the OS that you have, you only pay for it once. With of-the-shelf systems, you pay for the OS with every buy.

I guess after 2 or 3 home-builds using your non-OEM copy you've recovered the additional cost (if any), depending on what edition you have.



I must admit I'm not looking forward to buying Win7 though; that RC is gonna expire 1st of March.

[Reece]

Originally Posted by Arclight

Well, like you say "every time I would build my own that wasn't a factor because XP was around for such a long time". As long as you stick with the OS that you have, you only pay for it once. With of-the-shelf systems, you pay for the OS with every buy.

I guess after 2 or 3 home-builds using your non-OEM copy you've recovered the additional cost (if any), depending on what edition you have.



I must admit I'm not looking forward to buying Win7 though; that RC is gonna expire 1st of March.

Once you have purchased a copy of Win 7 is it possible to key in it's registration/activation number and keep going or just update, or it it a total install?
I have XP Pro and once the first SP is released for 7 then I will purchase, though I am not looking forward to the move, getting all the new drivers and setting up Internet/Network etc will be a pain!!

[Arclight]

Luckily I always save what I download, but I still always feel compelled to check if everything is up to date and wind up downloading again.

But yeah, it's a pain. Usually only takes 1 evening, but there's a bit of pressure behind the ordeal because you're constantly installing and rebooting. I recently did some maintenance and got that dual-boot working; a friend of mine comes on Skype and asks "what the hell are you doing?!", because he constantly got the pop-up of me logging in after a reboot.

Don't know if you can keep going, but I'd do a fresh install anyway. They probably made some changes going from RC to release. Not sure they can just patch those in.

[Platapus]

One important thing to remember is that it does take some computer knowledge and frankly some experience to be able to build your own system.

One has to be honest with ones self about your capabilities. I tried to build my own system (actually just wanted to change CPUs and Motherboard. It is not as easy as some claim.

In the decision whether to buy a pre-made computer or build one yourself, I would like to add another option: Find someone knowledgeable (go with a professional not one of your buddies) and have them build your system.

That's the way I will be going in the future. I don't know that much about computers and have lost a lot of money trying to learn... the hard way.

[goldorak]

Originally Posted by Platapus

One important thing to remember is that it does take some computer knowledge and frankly some experience to be able to build your own system.

One has to be honest with ones self about your capabilities. I tried to build my own system (actually just wanted to change CPUs and Motherboard. It is not as easy as some claim.

In the decision whether to buy a pre-made computer or build one yourself, I would like to add another option: Find someone knowledgeable (go with a professional not one of your buddies) and have them build your system.

That's the way I will be going in the future. I don't know that much about computers and have lost a lot of money trying to learn... the hard way.

I'll tell you my experience. Up until my first build in early 2000 I had never seen the interior of a pc. Nothing, believe me I was literally afraid of **********g something up.
The thing is, building a pc is like building a meccano (if you're old enough you will certainly remeber those kits).
So you start from the basics, get an anti-static wrist and start building from the motherboard up. I had choosen a case with removable motherboard tray for this reason. I did the whole build outside the case and then pronto, slide the motherboard try inside, connect the power supply, and the different drives etc... And then close everything. Put the mains on and install the operating system.
The hard part is learning what to buy, but that's what magazines are for. Make yourself a culture about pc's and then go on build on.

[Wolfehunter]

I have my budget around $3k for the box only. Monitor's, keyboard, etc I buy once in a blue moon. I spend top dollar on that stuff. They should last me 5 to 10 years if I don't mess it up.

My rig's life span I try to make for 5 years. So I spend alot but only once in every 5 years. I may do some upgrades depending in between.. but normally not needed. Unless companies like creative screw there clients and force you to buy newer products because they've abandoned there older stuff. like the Xfi elite pro. When I bought that it was $500+.. For XP it was great. For vista it is a nightmare. For Win7 it works with PAX drivers. but creative sucks now.

Anyhow just becareful on what your spend. Do some research on there forums and see if there products are good or bad. Make sure you parts are compatible. Otherwise it doesn't matter what you spend, since it can be all a waist.

[CaptainHaplo]

Originally Posted by longam

I've never done a cost comparison, but I wonder how much the difference it would really be after you ad the cost of the OS?

I know every time I would build my own that wasn't a factor because XP was around for such a long time, but the last pre-built I purchased the OS cost was a considerable savings compared to purchasing it separate.

Something else to consider.

Longam - the quote I used included the same version of the OS as the one from Alienware. Granted its OEM, but since your buying the hardware, you can legally get OEM pricing. So the cost was just slightly over a hundred bucks - and was counted int he price.

I know most folks reuse their existing OS unless they have good reason not to. It makes sense. But going with an OEM priced OS doesn't hurt nearly as bad as it would otherwise.

Too bad there is no OEM pricing for the Office suite!

[AVGWarhawk]

Too bad there is no OEM pricing for the Office suite!

I use openoffice.org. It is free and works just as well if not better than Office Suite. It is a shame that Office Suite is not part of the OS.

[goldorak]

Originally Posted by AVGWarhawk

Too bad there is no OEM pricing for the Office suite!

I use openoffice.org. It is free and works just as well if not better than Office Suite. It is a shame that Office Suite is not part of the OS.

Me too I use OpenOffice and a lot of other open source software.
I used in the past to buy commercial closed source software, now I don't bother anymore. The main reason being that a third party can dictate when, how and IF I can use the software I legitimely paid and I don't accept this kind of bull****. Thank god open source has really advanced a lot in these last few years (helped in a big way by the Google summer of code sponsorship) that I have no problem whatsoever using it.

[AVGWarhawk]

I was taken aback when I purchased Vista Home Premium and Office was not part of the OS. Since Windows 98 I have always had MS Office as part of the OS.

[Castout]

I use Open Office too