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Topic: Building My Own PC (Read 3869 times) previous topic - next topic
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Building My Own PC

Hi, I just moved to the US after joining a university here. I am planning to build my own gaming machine. I know how to build one but I need help regarding the financial aspects. For example:
  • Where (which web-site) can I buy individual components of the system, as I can't locate any hardware stores.
  • If I buy the individual components from a dealer, will I shell out more in terms of tax paid?
  • What if I go to a store like BestBuy and buy a machine like Alienware? Will I pay less in taxes?
  • Which is the cheapest way to get a computer with identical components? Building my own or buying a fully assembled system from a store?
Thanks.

Building My Own PC

Reply #1 –
newegg.com

Where I live, there's a CompUSA, a BestBuy, and a Fry's in close proximity to one another, and you can find some nice buys in their seasonal price wars.  Check the newspapers also, not the classifieds but the actual ads.  Sometimes they are even lower than newegg, but I try to buy as much there as possible because it's such a great company.  And if you're lucky, there might be a small independent shop who will price-match websites.  Fry's and CompUSA price match other stores, but not internet.

it is usually cheaper, and ALWAYS better, to build your own desktop system.  I'm not saying that every once in a while a great deal won't come up on a system, however.  In the end, it depends on what you want to use it for.

For a gaming machine, building it yourself is a must, unless you are independently wealthy.
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Building My Own PC

Reply #3 –
One major major caveat:

Software can get REALLY expensive.  Also, monitors aren't cheap.  I've built about a dozen or so machines and for me, this is where the you can see major pricing headaches.  A full standalone copy of WinXP professional is between $200-300.  OfficeXP ain't cheap either.

Good monitors are hard to get for cheap unless you get them second hand.

Anyways, I DO highly recommend building your own computer, but those are caveats that you should be aware of.  If you change your mind, and want to get a pre-built one, I've been fairly impressed by Dell.  For good deals, I also recommend Rage3d's deals  I got my fiancee's family a new computer through that site.

Another Caveat: I have found New Egg to send a lot of stuff as OEM, not retail.  Since you're building it for yourself, it probably doesn't make a difference, but it's something you should be aware of.

Anandtech has a real-time price guide on the left column.  Many things you're likely to purchase are listed there with best prices from highly reputable online companies.  New Egg often has a lot of listings there, but there are others that can make a better offer than New Egg.

Edit: 2nd caveat

Building My Own PC

Reply #4 –
Thanks, I'll build my own computer. I am not independently wealthy, so I would like to save a lot of bucks any way I can. Yes, software is really expensive, so I'll keep my software down to the bare minimum. I'll check out all the prices through sites like pricgrabber, anandtech, cnet etc. Thanks for the advise.

Building My Own PC

Reply #5 –
In general taxes won't make any difference, though my state (Vermont) had a tax free week on computers in the last year or 2 which might not have applied to components.

I think in general it is cheaper to get a whole system if you like what it has or only want to change it a little.  As mentioned you get raked on stuff like Windows where the large manufacturer may only be paying $30 /copy.

I was very happy with  a VPR system (Best Buy house brand) as the case is very easy to work with..  thumb screws on the lid, and cables nicely routed so it is easy to fit new stuff in.
It took literally about 2 minutes to install a DVD-R drive.  My last computer (IBM) took about a dozen screws to get the cover off the case and lots of tight room work to install a new HD.

Building My Own PC

Reply #6 –
Quote
I was very happy with  a VPR system (Best Buy house brand) as the case is very easy to work with..  thumb screws on the lid, and cables nicely routed so it is easy to fit new stuff in.
It took literally about 2 minutes to install a DVD-R drive.  My last computer (IBM) took about a dozen screws to get the cover off the case and lots of tight room work to install a new HD.

This is something else that ought to be addressed.  One of the best reasons to build your own computer is that you know that you're putting in high quality parts (assuming you're interested in that).

I haven't bought a non-name brand component in a very long time.  After getting burned multiple times on low quality memory, I now generally swear by brand name memory (Corsair, Kingston, Crucial etc).  No more IBM DeathStar drives either... I mean DeskStar.  And no more flaky power supplies either (one of the causes of system instability).

It took me a long while before I built my first stable machine because I often skimpped on the items I mentioned above.  Likewise, once I realized how fallible computer parts can be, I grew a serious distrust for companies that sold pre-built computers.

Another thing (I just keep going on and on, don't I?  It's for your own good).  Watch out for hidden S/H costs.  Pricegrabber and Anandtech do a good job of mentioning S/H costs, but not all sites mention them, and you could easily pay $15-20 on a processor (which is small and light), making a hot deal not so good anymore.

Building My Own PC

Reply #7 –
Welcome to the US rohangc! I hope you enjoy your stay.

I think it's critical to go through only reputable retailers if you buy parts on-line (which you should, retail is almost always way too expensive).

  To that end, www.resellerratings.com is an invaluable resource. Use the price engines to find a good deal and then check the resellers rating. If it's below ~7.5 just don't bother, you'll probably get screwed trying to return something if you have to.

I personally recommend mwave.com, newegg.com and monarchcomputer.com, all of whom score at least a 9 at resellerratings.

The amount of money spent on components will be taxed the same as a single system of identical cost, provided both were bought in the same state. Many interstate internet transactions are not yet taxed (some exceptions), which is another reason to buy parts on-line.
  If you are not in California, newegg is.
  If you are not in Georgia, monarchcomputer is.
  Going to a local chain retailer will almost invariably be much more expensive on-line, and not just because you must pay sales tax in almost all states. CompUSA in particular has outrageous prices on many components, with "budget" motherboards at $90+ rather than $60.

  I would not recommend Dell if you wish to buy prebuilt.
They have a long history of using proprietary parts (changing the power pins on the power supply so upgrading to a new board frys the whole machine), which is a dirty trick indeed. Alienware tends to be rather overpriced IMO, but they use good components and never indulge in proprietary parts AFAIK.
  Most large OEMs like Dell will never give you a full OS disk, rather a "restore" disc which will eradicate everything except the base OS + assorted garbage install.

edited for spelling, clarification

Building My Own PC

Reply #8 –
No, actually Dell seems to be one of the few that still DOES ship a real Windows CD.

Building My Own PC

Reply #9 –
Quote
No, actually Dell seems to be one of the few that still DOES ship a real Windows CD.

That's what I got with my new Dell. It includes the "OS CD," plus the "garbage restore unused apps CD" that places junk all over the HD.

A major downfall about buying a pre-built PC is not being able to specifically choose your preferred brand of components, e.g.; you may want a Plextor drive and have to end up with something unwanted. Configuring a Dell can be annoying since some choices make the configuration invalid, such as not being able to have two DVD writter drives, etc.
 

Building My Own PC

Reply #10 –
Quote
actually Dell seems to be one of the few that still DOES ship a real Windows CD.

Stunning.