Thinking about building a computer...but is it worth it?

[Hassan Darkside]

Well, I've been contemplating building a computer in my free time. It'd be a gaming computer more than likely. I'd at least want to make sure I can run the latest games at max settings as well as do some video/graphics work flawlessly on it. I've been looking into parts off and on, just trying to get a rough feel of what I'd need.

I've never built a computer before and I'd like to do it for the experience. But I just became more timid when I looked on ebay and saw someone selling a gaming computer ([AMD 9600 Quad Core, 4 GB DDR Memory, GeForce 9500GT 1 GB video card, 320 gb HDD) for just $495. Granted, I'd upgrade the HDD though.

In building one, I didn't really want to spend more than $500 myself. I'm not so savvy when it comes to what the good/bad parts are, deals, etc. But it makes me wonder if I could replicate this computer for cheaper. I know slickdeals has a fairly large thread on building a computer with links for deals and tigerdirect has deals all the time.

So, any suggestions? Would I be better off just buying a computer right now?

[SuperBowlNachos]

Re: Thinking about building a computer...but is it worth it?

I don't think it's possible to build a computer for under $500 that can run the latest games on Max settings. Run them efficiently on medium yes, but not MAX

[mgoblue]

Re: Thinking about building a computer...but is it worth it?

I don't think it's possible to build a computer for under $500 that can run the latest games on Max settings. Run them efficiently on medium yes, but not MAX

yeah, 500 bucks for top of the line isn't gonna happen even if you're building it yourself...expensive video cards can cost 300+

[SuperBowlNachos]

Re: Thinking about building a computer...but is it worth it?

You don't need to go that extravagant on a video card. My 8800gt was $180 and with my other stuff I can run settings on a scale of 1-10 at about an 8.

That is a nice computer for $500. I was bored and looked up each price individually and it came out to about 20 below what they are asking, not including the OS though so it's a really good deal.

I think you are better off going to dell, hp ect ect and doing their computer builder if you are wanting to stay under $500. Hard to custom build a $500 computer that just blows away a normal factory built CPU.

[p_rushing]

Re: Thinking about building a computer...but is it worth it?

Depends on what you already have. The thing you will spend the most money on is CPU, Motherboard, Memory, and Video card. The rest of the stuff shouldn't be too much more, unless you are buying a LCD.

[Whitesox]

Re: Thinking about building a computer...but is it worth it?

I always hear how great building computers is, I haven't done it yet though. Maybe one day.

[Burns11]

Re: Thinking about building a computer...but is it worth it?

That is a nice computer for $500. I was bored and looked up each price individually and it came out to about 20 below what they are asking, not including the OS though so it's a really good deal.

I priced it at $100 less just looking at Newegg.

The parts are also not the greatest, processor is flawed version, ram is unknown (likely bottom barrel), PSU is cheapo so it's not going to last (case and PSU together run $35).

Also, to OP, tigerdirect is a horrible company to deal with.

[SuperBowlNachos]

Re: Thinking about building a computer...but is it worth it?

Oh ya always use newegg

[eDotd]

Re: Thinking about building a computer...but is it worth it?

It really is not that hard. People could really save a lot of money if they actually took the time to do some research. The hardest part about building a computer is finding the right parts (by right I mean cheapest) and making sure they're compatible with each other (some cpu's only work in certain motherboards, some memory only works with certain motherboard, making sure your mother board has all the slots you need for whatever you plan to put in there, etc).

Once you get around that part it basically comes down to reading. I built my first when I was 16 I think. Manuals, forums, and google got me through the entire process.

I'm not sure if they have anything like this around you, but in the tri-state area they hold computer shows every weekend. You can probably find some good deals if you have anything similar around you. There is also tigerdirect and newegg.

[Hassan Darkside]

Re: Thinking about building a computer...but is it worth it?

Thanks fellas. I'll probably elect to build mine. For the learning experience if anything. I don't have a real big budget, so what do you guys consider the core parts I should look for first? I plan to build from scratch and upgrade parts later if need be. I'm assuming a case, motherboard/cpu, videocard, and adequate ram would be tops on my list? I think I'm leaving something off though.

And at MC, what is your current specs? And how much did that run you?

[e0820]

Re: Thinking about building a computer...but is it worth it?

Thanks fellas. I'll probably elect to build mine. For the learning experience if anything. I don't have a real big budget, so what do you guys consider the core parts I should look for first? I plan to build from scratch and upgrade parts later if need be. I'm assuming a case, motherboard/cpu, videocard, and adequate ram would be tops on my list? I think I'm leaving something off though.

And at MC, what is your current specs? And how much did that run you?

I would check out TigerDirect, they usually have some deals on barebone pcs which are usually pretty cheap. Here is an example for $299

* Asus M4N78 PRO Socket AM2+/AM3 Motherboard
* AMD Phenom X4 9600 2.30GHz Retail Processor
* 3GB (2+1) Ultra PC5400 DDR2 667Hz Memory
* WD Caviar Green 500GB SATA Internal Hard Drive
* PowerUp Black ATX Mid-Tower Case with Clear Side
* 450-Watt Power Supply Installed In The Case

All you need is to add a video card.

[eDotd]

Re: Thinking about building a computer...but is it worth it?

And at MC, what is your current specs? And how much did that run you?

I was waiting for black friday/cyber monday to end to see if anything in my cart dropped, no luck though. I pulled the trigger early sunday morning and my stuff should be here Wednesday. When I have everything my rig will be:

The Glam

Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium SP1 64-bit (This is the one you were looking at for 79.99, it's an OEM package though so you'll only get the disc, no manuals, no support from microsoft aka system builder copy)
Antec P182 Gun Metal Black Computer Case
24" BenQ FP241W Monitor & 24" BenQ V2400W Monitor (Dual Display)
Logitech Wireless Ergonomic Keyboard + Mouse
Logitech Z-5500 5.1 Surrond Sound
Turtle Beach EarForce HPA2 5.1 Surrond Sound Headphones

Under the hood

Cooler Master Real Power Pro 750W PSU
Gigabyte X58 (DS4) Mobo
G.Skill 6GB DDR3 1333 (Triple Channel)
Intel Core i7 920 (Quad-core) CPU
8800 GTS Alpha Dog Edition (Was gonna pick up a 9800 until I realized I had this laying around)
Creative Sound Blaster ZS 2 Sound Card
Seagate Cheetah 74 GB 15,000 RPM HDD (Boot Drive)
Western Digital Caviar Green 1TB - Winded up settling with just a TB, Timmay was right, 2TB was a bit excessive . I'll probably partition it 50/50, not sure yet.

I'll post pics when I set it up.

I know you guys have some nice setups! What's up with the participation in this thread!

Ran about 1100

[KENYON06]

Re: Thinking about building a computer...but is it worth it?

Just a little info, the 9500GT is hot garbage, and if you are looking into NVIDIA cards, be aware that the 8800GTS is almost identical to the 9800gtx, and the GTS 250 is nearly identical to the 9800GTX+. Also, the power supply might not be good enough in that particular computer . If it doesn't have enough amps on the 12v rails, then you will have to replace it.

And if it does run your video card, and you get a few extra optical drives here and there, you will probably be shortening the life of the powersupply since a decent videocard+ a few drives will probably be approaching 80% load on that 450.

So in essence, yes you could build something that smokes that for the same price. And you will have the peace of mind that you got good quality components. EVGA has a step-up program and a lifetime warranty on many of their video cards. I mean DDR2 memory is dirt cheap, like 40 bucks for a 4gb kit and a 9800GTX+/GTS 250 are like 100 bucks, dude.

[Cyros]

Re: Thinking about building a computer...but is it worth it?

I'm in the same boast as you Ruff. In the process of building my first computer and I'm buying my parts piece by piece. Currently have my RAM, Tower, and power supply purchased (should've had my vid card but that's a whole other story).

My specs:
XFX GS250XZDFC GeForce GTS 250 1GB ($145)
COOLER MASTER RC-690-KKN1-GP Black ($80)
OCZ Reaper HPC 4GB ($65 + $25 MIR)
AMD Phenom II X4 940 Deneb 3.0GHz ($190)
ASUS M3N72-D AM2+/AM2 ($120)
PC Power & Cooling S75QB 750W ($109 + $30 MIR)
Western Digital Caviar 500GB ($60)
Scythe MUGEN-2 SCMG-2000 120mm Sleeve CPU Cooler ($37)

Total: $751 w/ all rebates assuming the prices hold the same.

[Hassan Darkside]

Re: Thinking about building a computer...but is it worth it?

Hmm, looks pretty good so far. I'm in the "research" phase right now. Man, I must say this is fun though.

@ K-Mart, thanks for the info. I'll probably do some extensive research when I get to the videocard selection. I don't wanna screw that up.