# Buy a PC? or Build? **URL:** \ **Category:** random\ **Created:** [November 10, 2003, 11:11pm UTC](https://forum.kirupa.com/t/buy-a-pc-or-build/35139 "2003-11-10T23:11:25Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![redViper](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/3d9bf3/32.png) [@redViper](https://forum.kirupa.com/u/redViper)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2003, 11:11pm UTC](https://forum.kirupa.com/t/buy-a-pc-or-build/35139/1 "2003-11-10T23:11:25Z")
Ok, should I buy this? [http://www1.ca.dell.com/content/products/features.aspx/featured\_desktop2?c=ca&cs=CADHS1&l=en&s=dhs](http://www1.ca.dell.com/content/products/features.aspx/featured_desktop2?c=ca&cs=CADHS1&l=en&s=dhs) (tell me if its’ good, it looks good) or should i venture out and build my own… keeping in mind I know a BIT about installing things, but I’m no expert, and have never done it before. I dunno what MOBO’s are compatiable with which graphics cards etc; please help :p: ---
**Author:** ![system](https://canada1.discourse-cdn.com/flex011/uploads/kirupa/original/3X/6/2/621e5c11736f46532526e61be85940af4230f3e5.png) [@system](https://forum.kirupa.com/u/system)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2003, 11:17pm UTC](https://forum.kirupa.com/t/buy-a-pc-or-build/35139/2 "2003-11-10T23:17:45Z")
building a computer is pretty easy, not to mention much cheaper. plus you’ll know the way things work and be able to fix more problems that may arise. built mine for around $500 with 19 inch monitor and wireless optical mouse. ---
**Author:** ![system](https://canada1.discourse-cdn.com/flex011/uploads/kirupa/original/3X/6/2/621e5c11736f46532526e61be85940af4230f3e5.png) [@system](https://forum.kirupa.com/u/system)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2003, 11:19pm UTC](https://forum.kirupa.com/t/buy-a-pc-or-build/35139/3 "2003-11-10T23:19:16Z")
the clincher is the wireless optical mouse…dont do it if you cant get the wireless optical mouse…hahahahahahahaha…hojo too funny. ---
**Author:** ![system](https://canada1.discourse-cdn.com/flex011/uploads/kirupa/original/3X/6/2/621e5c11736f46532526e61be85940af4230f3e5.png) [@system](https://forum.kirupa.com/u/system)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2003, 11:21pm UTC](https://forum.kirupa.com/t/buy-a-pc-or-build/35139/4 "2003-11-10T23:21:07Z")
> **[Street Price Search Engine](http://www.pricewatch.com)** > > Where everyday is Black Friday. Search discounted items, read store reviews before you buy. ---
**Author:** ![system](https://canada1.discourse-cdn.com/flex011/uploads/kirupa/original/3X/6/2/621e5c11736f46532526e61be85940af4230f3e5.png) [@system](https://forum.kirupa.com/u/system)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2003, 11:23pm UTC](https://forum.kirupa.com/t/buy-a-pc-or-build/35139/5 "2003-11-10T23:23:54Z")
I spent about 1000$ on mine in total… I bought the parts and built it myself, it’s pretty easy yeah 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![system](https://canada1.discourse-cdn.com/flex011/uploads/kirupa/original/3X/6/2/621e5c11736f46532526e61be85940af4230f3e5.png) [@system](https://forum.kirupa.com/u/system)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2003, 11:31pm UTC](https://forum.kirupa.com/t/buy-a-pc-or-build/35139/6 "2003-11-10T23:31:47Z")
gotta have the optical wireless mouse, then you gotta get some batteries because the life of them are sucked dry from this monster of a mouse ---
**Author:** ![system](https://canada1.discourse-cdn.com/flex011/uploads/kirupa/original/3X/6/2/621e5c11736f46532526e61be85940af4230f3e5.png) [@system](https://forum.kirupa.com/u/system)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2003, 11:36pm UTC](https://forum.kirupa.com/t/buy-a-pc-or-build/35139/7 "2003-11-10T23:36:54Z")
Or you can get the [Logitech MX700 Cordless Optical](http://www.logitech.com/index.cfm?page=products/details&CRID=3&CONTENTID=4999&countryid=19&languageid=1), which has a charging station. ---
**Author:** ![system](https://canada1.discourse-cdn.com/flex011/uploads/kirupa/original/3X/6/2/621e5c11736f46532526e61be85940af4230f3e5.png) [@system](https://forum.kirupa.com/u/system)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2003, 11:41pm UTC](https://forum.kirupa.com/t/buy-a-pc-or-build/35139/8 "2003-11-10T23:41:55Z")
> \*Originally posted by RussianBeer \* > \*\*[www.pricewatch.com](http://www.pricewatch.com) \*\* but those are american prices / stores … im canadian \<:} ---
**Author:** ![system](https://canada1.discourse-cdn.com/flex011/uploads/kirupa/original/3X/6/2/621e5c11736f46532526e61be85940af4230f3e5.png) [@system](https://forum.kirupa.com/u/system)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2003, 3:14am UTC](https://forum.kirupa.com/t/buy-a-pc-or-build/35139/9 "2003-11-11T03:14:17Z")
that’s a pretty cheap system…it’s about a year and a half old though… you would probably want to upgrade to 512mb of RAM if you’re going to be running photoshop and other graphics programs i think the bottom line is…if you want to save yourself the hassle of putting together your own machine and spend a little more money, then go for a premade system by dell. you’ll get a warranty plus you’ll know that everything is put together correctly and everything is compatible with everything. if you like messing with computers (like me!) and are on a tight budget, then you should build your own system. heck, you could even run linux and save yourself $100-200 on an OS…too bad most programs don’t work with linux. -teet ---
**Author:** ![system](https://canada1.discourse-cdn.com/flex011/uploads/kirupa/original/3X/6/2/621e5c11736f46532526e61be85940af4230f3e5.png) [@system](https://forum.kirupa.com/u/system)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2003, 3:24am UTC](https://forum.kirupa.com/t/buy-a-pc-or-build/35139/10 "2003-11-11T03:24:38Z")
I think I’m going to build my own. I’ve got a monitor, keyboard and mouse and printer… so basically… i only need… - video card - mobo - sound card (if it isnt included in the mobo) - processor - ethernet - cd rw / cdrom - case correct? ---
**Author:** ![system](https://canada1.discourse-cdn.com/flex011/uploads/kirupa/original/3X/6/2/621e5c11736f46532526e61be85940af4230f3e5.png) [@system](https://forum.kirupa.com/u/system)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2003, 3:26am UTC](https://forum.kirupa.com/t/buy-a-pc-or-build/35139/11 "2003-11-11T03:26:42Z")
Build your own theres nothing more satisfying than putting your baby togehter and watch it grow :beam: ---
**Author:** ![system](https://canada1.discourse-cdn.com/flex011/uploads/kirupa/original/3X/6/2/621e5c11736f46532526e61be85940af4230f3e5.png) [@system](https://forum.kirupa.com/u/system)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2003, 3:27am UTC](https://forum.kirupa.com/t/buy-a-pc-or-build/35139/12 "2003-11-11T03:27:32Z")
I am not sure if some of you guys are in business or are just enthusiasts but sometimes having the tech support and the warranty is worth its weight in gold. I have bought from gateway and Alienware and the tech support has been ever so valuable. Sometimes you have to consider that factor. just my .02 ---
**Author:** ![system](https://canada1.discourse-cdn.com/flex011/uploads/kirupa/original/3X/6/2/621e5c11736f46532526e61be85940af4230f3e5.png) [@system](https://forum.kirupa.com/u/system)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2003, 3:31am UTC](https://forum.kirupa.com/t/buy-a-pc-or-build/35139/13 "2003-11-11T03:31:26Z")
I buy also, but that is because I don’t feel like spending the time to get it working…as easy it is. I am quite happy with Dell so I probably won’t be building a comp unless Dell happens to stop selling comps 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![system](https://canada1.discourse-cdn.com/flex011/uploads/kirupa/original/3X/6/2/621e5c11736f46532526e61be85940af4230f3e5.png) [@system](https://forum.kirupa.com/u/system)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2003, 3:35am UTC](https://forum.kirupa.com/t/buy-a-pc-or-build/35139/14 "2003-11-11T03:35:09Z")
I am my own Tech support 24/7 366 days a year, and as for warranty goes i get 1 year with my seller since i get a Computer Engineer discount wiht my license and i get 3 to 5 years with the manufacturer it depends on what type of part it is, got a new 60 gig hd from maxtor through warranty client bought a new hd and his still had warranty so i sent it in paid 20 bucs shipping 3 days later new 60 gig hd in da mail you gotta love it :beam: ---
**Author:** ![system](https://canada1.discourse-cdn.com/flex011/uploads/kirupa/original/3X/6/2/621e5c11736f46532526e61be85940af4230f3e5.png) [@system](https://forum.kirupa.com/u/system)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2003, 3:40am UTC](https://forum.kirupa.com/t/buy-a-pc-or-build/35139/15 "2003-11-11T03:40:39Z")
its all so confusing. BLAH! ---
**Author:** ![system](https://canada1.discourse-cdn.com/flex011/uploads/kirupa/original/3X/6/2/621e5c11736f46532526e61be85940af4230f3e5.png) [@system](https://forum.kirupa.com/u/system)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2003, 3:42am UTC](https://forum.kirupa.com/t/buy-a-pc-or-build/35139/16 "2003-11-11T03:42:58Z")
no really instead of a cdrw just go and buy a dual format DVD-R +R drive it will also burn cdrs and speeds have increased since i purchased my trusty Pioneer AO4 which i paid 400 bucks 1.5 years ago or something like that ---
**Author:** ![system](https://canada1.discourse-cdn.com/flex011/uploads/kirupa/original/3X/6/2/621e5c11736f46532526e61be85940af4230f3e5.png) [@system](https://forum.kirupa.com/u/system)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2003, 3:54am UTC](https://forum.kirupa.com/t/buy-a-pc-or-build/35139/17 "2003-11-11T03:54:55Z")
yeah…i would definetly say go with a dvd-R/CDRW/DVD-ROM combo drive it might not be a bad idea to buy a cheap plane old 56x CD-ROM to go along with the DVDR drive as well (why waste the life of your expensive DVDR drive on tasks that a cheap CD-ROM drive could do?). one final thing…DO NOT BUY A HP DVD DRIVE!!! IT WILL NOT BURN ALL FORMATS…if you do decide to get a dvd burner make sure to get one that burns all formats (I think it has plus/minus sine instead of just a plus or something like that). > I am not sure if some of you guys are in business or are just enthusiasts but sometimes having the tech support and the warranty is worth its weight in gold. i agree fully for the average user at least. then again, sometimes it’s good to work through things on your own…you’ll learn a lot more that way. for me, i kind of like fixing computers…it’s a challenge…almost a hobby 🙂 -teet ---
**Author:** ![system](https://canada1.discourse-cdn.com/flex011/uploads/kirupa/original/3X/6/2/621e5c11736f46532526e61be85940af4230f3e5.png) [@system](https://forum.kirupa.com/u/system)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2003, 3:58am UTC](https://forum.kirupa.com/t/buy-a-pc-or-build/35139/18 "2003-11-11T03:58:38Z")
yeah i have a liteon 52x cdrw and my pioneer AO4 which only writes dvd-r at 2x, and teet thats what i meant when i said get a dual format dvdr drive it writes both dvd-r and dvd+r media 😉 if you jsut wait a bit you can purchase a 12 or 16x dvdr drive whihc are due later this year :thumb: ---
**Author:** ![system](https://canada1.discourse-cdn.com/flex011/uploads/kirupa/original/3X/6/2/621e5c11736f46532526e61be85940af4230f3e5.png) [@system](https://forum.kirupa.com/u/system)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2003, 4:16am UTC](https://forum.kirupa.com/t/buy-a-pc-or-build/35139/19 "2003-11-11T04:16:54Z")
Ok, Is it really cheaper to get a dvd/combo drive?? cause im looking, and I don’t see it being cheaper. I don’t care about the burn speeds, and I dont need a dvd player… is it alright to go with a CD-RW? ---
**Author:** ![system](https://canada1.discourse-cdn.com/flex011/uploads/kirupa/original/3X/6/2/621e5c11736f46532526e61be85940af4230f3e5.png) [@system](https://forum.kirupa.com/u/system)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2003, 4:40am UTC](https://forum.kirupa.com/t/buy-a-pc-or-build/35139/20 "2003-11-11T04:40:37Z")
ok, wtf. im putting parts together, pricing and such… and I’ve already gone over 553 dollars. And I haven’t even done the audio, video cards yet… wtf. this is crazy. maybe I’m better going with packaged. [Next page](https://forum.kirupa.com/t/buy-a-pc-or-build/35139.md?page=2)