Why did YOU build your own computer, instead of buying one?

Sean · Post by **Sean** » Sat May 18, 2002 10:50 am

I changed my topic. Thought this would be a bit easier, as I can really include a lot.

So, anyway, why did YOU build your own computer instead of buying one? Here's my pros vs. cons list..

PROS:
1. You know what to upgrade and how
2. Learn a lot
3. Get to choose what YOU want.
4. You save a ton
5. bragging rights..

CONS:
1. No warranty
2. No special lease plan (something SOME people like to use, personally, I think it's just another way for a company to make money..

)

I will have to limit the pros to 3 paragraphs, so I could include like 2 in each paragraph..

Let me know what ya think..

--------------
I have a few, but what are some MAJOR supporting evidence that Athlon processors are better in most areas than the Pentium 4? Most of you will think this is stupid, but it's something I may enjoy doing, I just want to get it done..

So, any ideas?

wvjohn · Post by **wvjohn** » Sat May 18, 2002 2:57 pm

on a $$ unlocked athlon xps are much better value than p4

pretend an xp2000 is exactly the same as a p4 2.0 and compare the prices, etc.

Hipnotic_Tranz · Post by **Hipnotic_Tranz** » Sat May 18, 2002 5:14 pm

The idea that Rambus is better

Sure, it may give you more bandwith but it isn't faster (as many claim it to be). This is just from what I've see in benchmarks though, so if somebody wants to clear this up then go ahead.

And Sean, if this is for speach or some class for school, chances are other peeps in your class dont' know jack so you can just make up stuff

Sean · Post by **Sean** » Sat May 18, 2002 5:16 pm

LMAO! No, it's for a paper. If worse comes to worse, I could make up stuff. But, for now, I am going to stick to the facts..

Sean · Post by **Sean** » Wed May 22, 2002 5:09 pm

Bump...new topic

blade · Post by **blade** » Wed May 22, 2002 5:20 pm

Because I can and in doing so I can choose which parts I want.
It is cheaper.
It is fun.
I can upgrade it easier.

I see zero cons actually, because I've never had any new installed parts go out. Any that do has a warranty and even if you do need to rma any parts you don't need to be out of your computer as you would if you purchased it from a company. Big Big Diff there.

Sean · Post by **Sean** » Wed May 22, 2002 5:40 pm

Thanks. That may be a good way to have an internal arguement.. Anyone else?

Lmandrake · Post by **Lmandrake** » Wed May 22, 2002 5:59 pm

Here are two to add to the "cons" column.

Hardware/software incompatibilities - Sometimes when you build your own box you run into parts that just don't get along. For example, if a sound card just does not get along with your mainboard, you can't get any satisfaction from either the mainboard or the sound card manufacturer. They will just point their fingers in someone else's direction. Sometimes there is a workaround, sometimes there is not. A pre-built system is somewhat less likely to have these problems as a good mfr. tests the configuration first.

Tech support: Remember that we are here in this forum because we like being our own tech support. We either have the time, or find the time to figure out and fix problems (sometimes we aren't happy until we create one and then have to solve it.) Technophobes or people without the time or the affinity for DIY tech support should never build their own machines. Although our self administered tech support may be better than a lot of what is provided by mfrs., a lot of buyers and users just want the machine to work and have access to someone to call when it doesn't.

Sean · Post by **Sean** » Wed May 22, 2002 6:04 pm

Thank you! keep em comin!

nexus_7 · Post by **nexus_7** » Wed May 22, 2002 7:20 pm

built my own cause I can make it how I want to the T.

Greg

TheSovereign · Post by **TheSovereign** » Wed May 22, 2002 7:28 pm

cheaper and it was of higher quality

wvjohn · Post by **wvjohn** » Wed May 22, 2002 7:57 pm

had to do something with all those spare parts laying around

actually a good pro is the taste and try part - one year i went through like six good video cards and my total cost was about $150 - get something on special somewhere - if you don't like it trade it for something else, etc.

a con is that it is hearder to resell a homebuilt system to a non-pcabuser unless you want to give a warranty of some type - i was going to sell a system i had to someone inthe office and finally told 'em to get a dell or gateway, because they wanted someone to come and fix it whenever

Busby · Post by **Busby** » Wed May 22, 2002 8:14 pm

Pros:
1. Customization
2. Fun
3. Learning experience
4. Fun
5. Experimentation
6. Experience
7. Customization
8. Fun

Cons:
1. Incompatibilities
2. Incompatibilities
3. DOA products
4. Killing a piece of hardware
5. Misbehaving hardware
6. Drivers
7. BSODs
8. Headaches

PreDatoR · Post by **PreDatoR** » Wed May 22, 2002 8:18 pm

HEADACHES! thats a good one busby this AK35GTR is a major headache for me... GRR been running for 48hrs at 1.66 Gig out of a 1700+ i shut down go to reboot now it won't run at anything but default video won't kick in... thinking either A the AGP ain't gettin' enough volts or B this board is just a POS

Busby · Post by **Busby** » Wed May 22, 2002 8:35 pm

HAHA I have a Shuttle AK35GTR. Running great except for Highpoint RAID but I got a promise card on the way, hopefully.