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My 6 year old Gateway in my office is dying! I'd like to build my next machine, but I don't have time to research motherboards, etc. Do any of you experts have any advice on components. For that matter, is there any reason I shouldn't build one myself? BTW, we have a Dell server, if that matters. Almost all of my files reside on the server, but most of the software is on each desktop.

Thanks,
Chas.

Where I work, we use Dell laptops & desktops. Most of the "name brand" systems will have reasonably reliable components in them. Just make sure you buy "enough" system or you'll end up hating it in under three years.

If you REALLY want to build your own, plan on spending some serious time chasing performance & reliability information, tracking down drivers, generally hassling with incompatabilities in drivers and so forth during your setup time (and don't forget to add in the cost of your time doing this as well as installing the operating system when you're comparing prices).

Usually, you're better off by a decent margin buying a system from a retailer that will do the grunt work for you and deliver a system that will meet your needs with a small markup.

If you want "local" to Houston, try Neobox. If you want a Texas company, I'd suggest Dell (but at least consider their business systems - I believe End User/Home User support is outsourced to India where the spoken english is atrocious, but Business systems were not last time I checked) or HP (well, partly Texas, anyway). If you want to do the Home User PC thing (or want a higher perfomance system), you might want to check out Cyberpower PC. I have four of their systems at home for gaming & have few hassles that aren't virus/spyware/malware induced (the hardware is solid).

When my old computer died last year I went to Fry's and bought the cheapest motherboard they had, a CPU, memory, and a housing that it would fit in. I spent less than $300. I used the graphics card and drives from the old PC. Everything else is on the motherboard these days.

It worked fine. I don't think the fact that I'm an electical engineer had anything to do with it.

- Jim

Unless you trying to do something really specific that pretty graphic intinsive Dell will work. IF something goes wrong with them they have the nest CS in the IT field. Also building you own comes withs its own qurks and if you hire some on to do it you don thave the security that you are going to get the same person to look at it and repair it. Just my 2 cents.

I have built my own, but unless you are in the IT business or see it as a hobby, there isn’t any benefit to it, what you save in cost, you will spend in time and other little hassles. Specialized programs like AutoCAD or 3d Graphics and other hi end software need special considerations.

If you been happy with the same systems for 6 years, then any current PC you get from Fry, Microcenter or Dell should make you happy from another 3 or 4 years at least
.

Do you run Linux? If not, you will actually pay more (usually) for building your own system. I do run Linux and I do build my own and would do so even if it was more expensive because it lets me pick everything that I want individually and spread the cost out with constant upgrades of the oldest part.

In general, I like NewEgg for purchases. Pick a motherboard / processor / ram combo that you like - I like AMD. Order it as a package. Unless you want to play games, you can get away with most of the components being on the motherboard (video, NIC mainly). If you do that, your motherboard will be more expensive but the total system will be cheaper. But then you may have to replace the motherboard if one of them fails.

Thanks for the advice folks. I'd better leave this project alone.

Chas.

Kalrog wrote:In general, I like NewEgg for purchases. Pick a motherboard / processor / ram combo that you like - I like AMD. Order it as a package. Unless you want to play games, you can get away with most of the components being on the motherboard (video, NIC mainly). If you do that, your motherboard will be more expensive but the total system will be cheaper. But then you may have to replace the motherboard if one of them fails.

Newegg usually has really good prices on components. I usually end up buying from them if I have a choice. I never did like the integrated components thing, though. I always end up wishing I had discrete components so I can replace 'em when they die (and it's usually something like the NIC that dies and THEN won't let you disable it - cheap to replace if you could just get the old one to shut off!).

seamusTX wrote:When my old computer died last year I went to Fry's and bought the cheapest motherboard they had, a CPU, memory, and a housing that it would fit in. I spent less than $300. I used the graphics card and drives from the old PC. Everything else is on the motherboard these days.

It worked fine. I don't think the fact that I'm an electical engineer had anything to do with it.

- Jim

+1 I got a ECS Sempron Mobo, AMD 64bit 3100+, 512Mb ram, case w/ powersupply, CPU fans x2 (one for me and wife) for right at $500 from Fry's...but you have to be fast on those deals (I did have to go back and get some SATA drives because the IDE controller acted flakey)

If you want something that won't drag from the getgo look into a dual core machine now..my little brother got him a MEGA pympin machine for right at $600, I figure a "decent" dual core machine will run you about $400

Right here at microcenter
MOBO <--$99 (built in graphics (w/ expandable PCI-X video)
PROCESSOR <-$99
1G RAM <-$49.99
CPU FAN <-$49.99

Thats the biggest components, then you get , if you want you can get a case w/ powersupply for about $100 more and there ya have it

Decent pympin system that is still heavily upgradeable but not bottom of the barrel either

Just like Chevy and Ford fans of old. There are AMD fans and Intel. For reliability I've gone for Intel Computer and Mother board. Only because of reliability.

If you are planning on running your older software. Do not mess with Vista. Are you planning on using your old hard drive? CDrom/burner?

I wouldn't bother building a computer for an office type machine, unless you have some special demands. They are too cheap. Even a Dell can be had pretty cheap. JMHO.

An HP computer dealer once told me manufacturers have a choice of Tier I, II or III parts to build with and you get what you pay for. Anybody know different?

Take a look at Directron: http://www.directron.com/. I'm extremely pleased with the system I bought from them in January. It is a fairly high end box, with high quality components and very well put together (neat wiring with reasonable slack, etc) that cost me less than the combined OEM prices for the components.

Their store is in the 10000 block of Harwin Drive in Houston if you're close enough to go there. I'm in Seguin and didn't want to drive to Houston, so I dealt with them strictly over the net. I had no problems with them, including no hassles about returning the first machine they shipped because UPS crunched it.

casingpoint wrote:An HP computer dealer once told me manufacturers have a choice of Tier I, II or III parts to build with and you get what you pay for. Anybody know different?

They have different model numbers and all that - it isn't like you could get different quality from each SKU. But yeah, there is certainly a different quality level in each component based on what you want to pay or the research you do.

casingpoint wrote: An HP computer dealer once told me manufacturers have a choice of Tier I, II or III parts to build with and you get what you pay for. Anybody know different?

Once that was true, now they are all the same chips from the same small set of offshore manufactures. The only real difference in what was once called tiers' is the type of after sale support. None, a trained monkey, an experience server troubleshooter.

Charles,

If you are happy with an "entry" level system, then the store-bought machines are fine. I suggest the Hp-Compaq systems, as their reliability is better. However, unless you special-order a PC, it is gonna come with Vista
IMO, this is not good for a BUSINESS machine.

If you want a faster machine, and specific parts, then building your own is the way to go. The hardest part of building a PC now is simply putting the components in the box. And that is only a two-hour job.
If you have a version of WinXP that is not at SP2 with the original CD, then it could involve an extra step, but other than that it is simply pop in WinXP and install.

I say build. You get what you want. You don't get all the trash that the Commercial machines install with the OS.