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Building a pc..
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mrgubby
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It doesn't work out cheaper the first time round as you have to buy everything BUT it normally gives you a cheaper route when it's time for an upgrade.
On the plus side it does let you buy exactly what you need / want not what Dell etc think Joe Public want
On the plus side it does let you buy exactly what you need / want not what Dell etc think Joe Public want
Talisman
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Yup what he said.
If you have the basics, Monitor, keyboard, mouse, midi tower/desktop case & HDD's already then yes its cheaper when replacing your Motherboard, CPU, Ram etc.
Plus the bonus then is you wont have to replace Everything if your upgrading just the graphics, for gaming, or a HDD for extra space.
If you have the basics, Monitor, keyboard, mouse, midi tower/desktop case & HDD's already then yes its cheaper when replacing your Motherboard, CPU, Ram etc.
Plus the bonus then is you wont have to replace Everything if your upgrading just the graphics, for gaming, or a HDD for extra space.
Slapo
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It isn't much cheaper, only by a bit, and while you know exactly what's inside and it's what you wanted, if there's a problem you can't identify at home, then you're pretty much screwed (especially if your motherboard doesn't signal what kind of error happened).
Mohain
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Echoing what has been said above really, it doesn't work out cheaper BUT if you build your own you know exactly what compenents are in there, you can buy quality brand names for each part, plus it give you an invaluable insight to the workings of your computer. If a part breaks down it's relatively easy process to find out which one it is and replace it yourself. If you don't know how it all works in there and something goes wrong then you have a dead computer and either need to buy another one or pay for a bloke to come round and fix it (or wait for Dell to sort it out rather than nipping to your local shop for a £50 motherboard).
After having built 3 of my own computers now I'm convinced that's there's not really much of a saving even on the upgrading front (unless you upgrade every 6 months or so). Each new processor has different pins which mean that you have to buy a new motherboard, chances are that your RAM wont fit, or if it does it's too slow. My old PATA HD's really need replacing with SATA ones, etc ...
Even so, I'd always build my own computer rather than buy one
After having built 3 of my own computers now I'm convinced that's there's not really much of a saving even on the upgrading front (unless you upgrade every 6 months or so). Each new processor has different pins which mean that you have to buy a new motherboard, chances are that your RAM wont fit, or if it does it's too slow. My old PATA HD's really need replacing with SATA ones, etc ...
Even so, I'd always build my own computer rather than buy one
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I have a lot of experience of both building and buying prebuilds. Building your own is more satisfying, and you MIGHT end up with a PC that is easier to upgrade...
However, its just not worth the hassle any more. Buy a decent package and do your research. Get something which is easy to upgrade, and I reckon you will save money, time and potential tears.
Gary.
However, its just not worth the hassle any more. Buy a decent package and do your research. Get something which is easy to upgrade, and I reckon you will save money, time and potential tears.
Gary.
markp
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I've built my PCs for the last 5 years or so, but last time I went and got a cheapy from Dell since I wanted a new monitor.
I've actually been pretty disheartened by the performance of it, despite how good it looks on paper.
Lesson learnt, I'll probably build my next one - besides, Dell's support has been rubbish. I'd rather diagnose my own problems and fix them myself that natter with some bloke halfway round the world who doesn't know his arse from his elbow.
I've actually been pretty disheartened by the performance of it, despite how good it looks on paper.
Lesson learnt, I'll probably build my next one - besides, Dell's support has been rubbish. I'd rather diagnose my own problems and fix them myself that natter with some bloke halfway round the world who doesn't know his arse from his elbow.
Talisman
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I suppos ethe real question should be.
Why do you want to upgrade?
If your just looking to do it to get a faster PC you may only need to change your Motherboard, CPU. and RAM.
you said you already have a machine, so you shouldnt need to change the case, or monitor or HDD, CD/DVD rom, keyboard mouse etc...
Why do you want to upgrade?
If your just looking to do it to get a faster PC you may only need to change your Motherboard, CPU. and RAM.
you said you already have a machine, so you shouldnt need to change the case, or monitor or HDD, CD/DVD rom, keyboard mouse etc...
paulpierce
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Think it depends how much you want to spend, I priced this up myself recently.
spending around a thousand pounds on;
Intel Core 2 Quad Q6700 2.66GHz 1066MHz FSB Socket 775 8MB L2 Cache (2 x 4MB (4MB per core pair)) Retail Boxed Processor £290.97
Western Digital WD5000AAKS 500GB SATA II 7200RPM 16MB Cache - OEM £106.98
Nvidia 8800GTX 768MB GDDR3 Dual DVI PCI-E Graphics Card OEM £233.19
Liteon LH-20A1H-487C 20xDVD±RW/DL LightScribe Beige, Black & Silver Bezels - Retail With Nero £21.06
Antec Sonata III Piano Black Quiet Mid Tower Case - With 500W EarthWatts PSU £60.41
Corsair 2GB Kit (2x1GB) DDR2 800MHz/PC2-6400 XMS2 Memory Non-ECC Unbuffered CL4(4-4-4-12) E.P.P. Heat Spreader Lifetime Warranty £87.68
ZALMAN CNPS 9700 NT Copper Processor Cooler for Socket 754/940/775/939/AM2 £31.75
Cart total inc vat: Cart total ex vat: £977.68
from ebuyer, was about £400 cheaper than the equivalent dell system with 4gb memory.
Dimension XPS 720 (D017201)
Total £1,359.02
I think for a cheaper pc though the effort of building you own isn't worth it.
I think I have decided to get a macbook pro instead.
spending around a thousand pounds on;
Intel Core 2 Quad Q6700 2.66GHz 1066MHz FSB Socket 775 8MB L2 Cache (2 x 4MB (4MB per core pair)) Retail Boxed Processor £290.97
Western Digital WD5000AAKS 500GB SATA II 7200RPM 16MB Cache - OEM £106.98
Nvidia 8800GTX 768MB GDDR3 Dual DVI PCI-E Graphics Card OEM £233.19
Liteon LH-20A1H-487C 20xDVD±RW/DL LightScribe Beige, Black & Silver Bezels - Retail With Nero £21.06
Antec Sonata III Piano Black Quiet Mid Tower Case - With 500W EarthWatts PSU £60.41
Corsair 2GB Kit (2x1GB) DDR2 800MHz/PC2-6400 XMS2 Memory Non-ECC Unbuffered CL4(4-4-4-12) E.P.P. Heat Spreader Lifetime Warranty £87.68
ZALMAN CNPS 9700 NT Copper Processor Cooler for Socket 754/940/775/939/AM2 £31.75
Cart total inc vat: Cart total ex vat: £977.68
from ebuyer, was about £400 cheaper than the equivalent dell system with 4gb memory.
Dimension XPS 720 (D017201)
Total £1,359.02
I think for a cheaper pc though the effort of building you own isn't worth it.
I think I have decided to get a macbook pro instead.