Better to build or buy?

[tommytabib]

In this day and age do you think its better (cheaper) to build a PC or to buy and already built one from dell, HP, ect.

I've looked this up before because I first thought that I would just buy all the parts, motherboard-RAM-CD drive-ect, but I saw and article on CNET.com that said that now days its far cheaper to buy a PC than to buy all the parts and put it together by yourself.

His argument is that companies like dell and hp bulk buy their parts and thus can provide you with a cheaper product than if you individually brought the parts yourself.

But my issue is that if i buy a PC, or a laptop, form dell or hp it comes pre-installed with windows vista, and i have to pay for that, but i want to use free linux.

My question is; is it cheaper for a linux user to buy a PC or build the equivalent them self?

Thanks

[oz]

You might find cheaper factory built computers, but I prefer to build myself. The next best thing, in my opinion, is to go to a local computer shop and let them build it for you.

[tommytabib]

I'm not sure what its called but the cable that plugs into the motherboard and plugs into the back of the harddrive(s). Whats that called? and where would sell it?

P.S. not the power/electricity wires the other flat/wide cable.

thanks

[fingal]

I'm not sure what its called but the cable that plugs into the motherboard and plugs into the back of the harddrive(s). Whats that called? and where would sell it?

P.S. not the power/electricity wires the other flat/wide cable.

thanks

That's an IDE cable. I built my own machine a few years ago. It's old kit now, but still going very strong. If I was building again I'd use round IDE cables rather than the ribbon variety. You get better air flow through the case.

There are a lot of dimensions to building yourself. Sourcing the parts reliably (I nearly ended up in litigation over this!) putting things together the right way, deciding on the specs. and cooling. Cooling my machine properly is where I fell down, but sorted it out later. You also need a beefy power supply unit (PSU) of better quality than probably ships with your case.

It's not cheaper to build in the short term, but I would argue that over time it might be because you should be using good quality parts (which may be less likely to malfunction) and you're not dependent on third party support if you 'do it yourself'. It's also very satisfying to boot your own 'pride and joy' ... and you get a deep understanding of what's going on under the hood. Easier to upgrade as well, using parts which you can budget for.

This is the whole thing about self-build: you can spread the costs instead of buying the PC all in one go.

BTW IDE cable ships with your motherboard. No need to buy it separately, but as I mentioned ... you might think about getting the circular stuff instead from a hardware / electronics outlet.

[hilowe]

A friend of mine asked me to build him a computer. He gave me the specs of a DELL that he was looking at, and I spec'd him one that was slightly better. For instance, the Dell was using system memory for the vid card, instead of the vid card having it's own dedicated memory. (There were a couple of other things, as well, I just don't remember them now, as it's been over a year.)

If I remember correctly, without the OS, I was about $50 cheaper than Dell, but when I tacked on XP, I was about $200-300 over. (All prices are US dollars)

tommytabib, I guess that my advice is, if you know what you're doing when building one, or have someone that is willing to help if you don't, do some price comparing on your own. Take a look at some computers pre-built by HP, Dell, Compaq, or whoever else you're looking at. Then take a look at what you can find parts for.

If you don't, and price is the overriding concern, then go pre-built. If you're willing to spend a little more, and really want to learn how to put one together on your own the first time, then buy the parts. I know there are people on this forum, and many others that will help you in both selecting the parts, and giving you instructions on how to put them together.

[techieMoe]

This of course depends entirely on you, and what you are looking for. For Linux, it's useful to know exactly what components are in your computer in case you have to download a new driver for one of them (think: video card).

On the same token, prebuilt systems do offer a few nice perks, such as very cheap monitors (Dell offers LCDs included in the price of most of their desktops) and occasionally printers, scanners or digital cameras. They also offer payment plans (though I would urge caution with those).

[Vergil83]

I prebuild and I would wager it was cheaper than buying prebuilt (but I did you parts from my previous one). As the others say, you know you are getting quality parts and not crap (like the vc that uses system memory). Of course, it is also kind of fun too!

[flipjargendy]

In my experience it is far easier to get a barebones kit. Sometimes you have to put the parts in but sometimes they come pre-built. If you find a good online store you can get a very good deal. But you can usually get very good parts for a good deal if you look around.

NewEgg.com is one i suggest. i've purchased from them before and they're amazing. They usually have GREAT deals.

[oz]

NewEgg.com is one i suggest. i've purchased from them before and they're amazing. They usually have GREAT deals.

Probably around 90% of my parts come from there, too.

[the bassinvader]

Whats more valuable?
Saving a buck or two on your next PC or gaining the experience of building one?

I know what i'd choose, but maybe i've got too much time on my hands....