Reasons to buy a new PC

[Hitman]

A good option is to build ur own, much better and then you know how to repair , replace , or modify hardware. There are plenty books with diagrams and step bye step guidance although usally using obselete or outdated parts, its up to you to check for a happy medium . Often when having custom made to suit ones spec, its usally on the advise of the shop on which hardware to use based on your recomendations (ie u want a pc for gaming only )they suggest what u need if u do not have a clue. this is not always best!!

I agree 100% on the advantages of building yoru own rig and would like to have a suggestion regarding which components are the best buy for the money: Tom's hardware has a section for the best PC of the trimester, in three levels, cheap, medium, expensive. I picked their recommendated medium set up nearly two years ago, and it still is able to cope with all new games since then

[Jimbuna]

Originally Posted by Hitman

I agree 100% on the advantages of building yoru own rig and would like to have a suggestion regarding which components are the best buy for the money: Tom's hardware has a section for the best PC of the trimester, in three levels, cheap, medium, expensive. I picked their recommendated medium set up nearly two years ago, and it still is able to cope with all new games since then

Great site that Hitman.....has given me lots of information and a great deal to think about...cheers

[Philipp_Thomsen]

Toms hardware is a great site, specially for benchmarks. Im always taking a look in that site, in the past 5 years, to keep myself up to date.

When it comes to buying a new pc, I always go to the stores and pick the parts one by one, after carefully researching and choosing.

For me, there's nothing better then unpacking and mounting a new computer, from scratch. It's a lot of fun, and I want to know every little piece of my new toy.

i have a basic little computer assembly guide that is designed to help people building their first or second computer avoid the "it doesnt work, now what do i do?" situation. its for "after" you have bought everything and are ready to put it together.

it offers a very basic troubleshooting assembly guide to be sure things are working right.

if anyone thinks it can help them you can find it here: http://forums.techpowerup.com/showthread.php?t=30165

[JSLTIGER]

I'm generally happy with my systems, though I wish that my desktop's board was a purpose made AM2+ board instead of a base AM2. It won't be too much longer before I upgrade my vid card (I hope). It's been about 2.5 years now, and I love the card, but I want to go for a bigger monitor, which means I'll need more powerful vid card. Eventually I suppose. At this point, though, I've pretty much maxed out what my system can handle, so the next move will likely be a complete rebuild.

The trick of course, is coming up with the $$$.

[ps249]

The person who is building my new PC buys his hardware thru: http://www.infoteldistributors.com/
I personally never heard of it before- but my new custom built PC will cost me around $650 total. He is ordering the parts Nov 9 and I will pick it up Nov 13.

that website requires that you register to look at anything


i would recommend you and the person who is building your new PC take a look at newegg,com for the best prices on computer components and hardware.

i have used them for years and cant recommend a better company to get computer hardware from, they have fast reasonably priced delivery, great service, and wont give you any problems with most RA's. they almost always have the best prices too so its well worth comparing prices.

geez, i sound like a darn commercial but they have earned my trust.

[Lord Justice]

Originally Posted by Hitman

I agree 100% on the advantages of building yoru own rig and would like to have a suggestion regarding which components are the best buy for the money: Tom's hardware has a section for the best PC of the trimester, in three levels, cheap, medium, expensive. I picked their recommendated medium set up nearly two years ago, and it still is able to cope with all new games since then

yes indeed a good site, often visit it myself, another is hardware logic good for thier exstensive testing and exp, i like them for thier reviews , very in depth. if however someone is prepairing to build thier own, may i suggest using a MODULAR POWER SUPPLY, as it cuts down less cables, allowing better air flow and a much tidy rig. Modular are slightly more expensive though. I tend to sway for corsair 650, 750, 850 watt modular psu, if planning on using 2 graphics cards go with 850, if using 1 then the 650 and 750 should see through next few years. I think this relevant to 1st and expirenced builders alike, so many products ,specs, differing opinions, and options. cutting down cable managment is a big plus point to mention though as lots of cables can be quite daunting and messy at first.

[scrapser]

I've been building my own rig for several years. People who do not work with computers directly are mystified by them and that's the main reason they buy a computer system instead of building one. But you can shatter the mystery by simply spending some time reading about building computers on any overclocking website (there are plenty out there).

My first attempt was with an AMD processor on a DFI LanParty motherboard. DFI has a reputation for making motherboards for enthusiasts. As such, their forum is moderated by users who know the product inside and out and there are many members who are also glad to assist with any questions or issues. There is also a database organized by motherboard model and CPU with BIOS settings that users have tested and proved out. This makes it much easier to overclock a system if you choose to go that route.

But simply building a computer is so easy I'm surprised it hasn't caught on more by now. Go to a site like NewEgg...pick a case, power supply, CPU, motherboard, and RAM. Next, pick your CPU cooler and any other cooling solutions you may want to include. The rest (monitor, keyboard, hard drives, graphics, sound, DVD, CDROM, etc.) are all nothing more than accessories and generally just plug into the system. Also don't forget the necessary cables if they are not included with each item.

For a basic setup, you will need a wooden board to protect the motherboard from static electricity, a static wrist band, thermal paste for the CPU (Artic Silver 5 is very good), a phillips screw driver, some 99% denatured alcohol, and some good quality paper towels.

You will pay more for your first rig than if you bought a complete system but here's the difference....

Computer companies buy parts for their systems in mass quantities and the components are usually cheap, mid to low end quality. In essence they are minimal systems. But average users don't know this and think they are getting a great deal.

Once you have your own custom rig, from there on it will evolve. You will only need to replace parts here and there when you want instead of having to buy a completely new computer. This is where it all pays off. Put some time into getting to know what's possible before buying anything for your first rig. Set up a budget and then buy what you can afford. You will leverage your money not regret it.

Originally Posted by scrapser

You will pay more for your first rig than if you bought a complete system but here's the difference....

actually this is missleading because you have to compare apples to apples here so to look at the savings you must price what building your own prebuilt package computer would cost using the exact same parts and in most situations you can do it for 50-75% of the cost of those prebuilt systems.

the real benefit you get is for the SAME money you "were" going to spend on that basic low end budget prebuilt computer you can build a mid to high end system. and for less than half the money you would have to spend on a high end prebuilt computer you can build the exact same high end system yourself.

one of my key features is i know everything i used was high quality reliable components with a history of good reliable service but prebuilts use lots of "basic" quality stuff because they know that in most cases it will usually make it through the warranty and if it doesnt they replace the part for little cost but you are the one with all you files lost and all the headaches and wasted time. that doesnt mean they are using bad parts that are sure to go out one day but its a quality and peace of mind thing that i dont want to take any chances with.

[scrapser]

I agree. But what you are saying is not a replacement of what I said. All of it is true. Once a person gets their feet wet, they will likely enhance their custom system with parts they could not get as part of a prebuilt computer because the company works off a profit formula much like what you described. And it's true that a homebuilt system will cost much less and delivery much more processing power for the same money spent on a prebuilt system, so you do in fact leverage your money. For myself, I took the savings and used it to upgrade to even higher end components so I ended up spending the same money but have much more bang for the buck. And of course, down the road I only have to replace parts as better tech comes out or something wears out. But I never have to buy a whole new computer ever again.

[Sailor Steve]

Interesting discussion, especially for a thread that started out as a joke about making up reasons to give your wife as to why you absolutely have to have a new computer.

Originally Posted by scrapser

I agree. But what you are saying is not a replacement of what I said. All of it is true.

yep, i just wanted to be sure someone thinking about this for the first time knows its a big money saver first OR you can trade that money savings for major improvements in the system you end up with when your finished.

thats why i only clipped that one small part i felt could use a little extra explanation that it is strictly up to you if you want make it cost more


@ sailor steve, you are right sir

thread highjack is over, i now return you to your previously selected topic of reasons to give your wife as to why you absolutely have to have a new computer

[Sailor Steve]

I didn't consider it a hijack, I just thought it was funny. I'm enjoying the discussion, as well as learning alot. I was just looking at what I thought was a pretty cool AMD rig at Best Buy, and thanks to you guys I went to NewEgg and found out that the one I was looking at was made up earlier versions of all the components, and I might actually find the latest and best for a better price. Now all I need is a book that tells an idiot how to do it.