Build you own vs buying Brands

[Jaxom1]

So, most of the computers I have had were built out of parts.  I just slapped them together.

Since I got married and had 3 kids, I guess I got lazy and just started buying HPs and the such.

My wife wanted a high(er) end gaming PC, and we looked around. NO ONE had anything local.  They were all lower end crap.

So, I made a broke down and dropped $1800 and built her one.  I put an I7 920, a ATI 5850, 12 GB RAM, that kind of stuff, along with Windows 7.

So, now she can get her WOW fix in a little bit better.

How many of you still "build you own" or just get the PC that is on sale at Best Buy?

[DBall]

I tend to keep stuff around and do lots of upgrades over time. 

I have a Pentium-D machine that now runs a C2D E6420 (2.13 GHz, 4 MB cache).

I have an HP machine that started as a HP Pentium Dual-core system (stripped down conroe C2D based pentium) and was able to update the bios and install a C2Q Q6600 when those cpus were being phased out cheap. I should even be able to go to a newer C2Q Q9xxx series quad on that one.

You have to be real careful to check out the system before you buy it and make sure it has some upgrade potential. Fortunately, HP used the same mainboard for the cheap dual core that they used for the quad systems and it takes up to 8GB of DDR2 ram. I did have to upgrade the power supply when I put in the quad but took the opportunity to put in a high efficiency 500 watt power supply with some expansion room if I want to add a video card. Be careful to research the components in the machine because there has been an occasional mainboard used by major manufacturers that has serious problems. IIRC, there was one of those problem boards in some HP i7-9xx systems.

[webpro]

I just buy all my stuff off the Dell outlet site these days.

You used to be able to build better and cheaper than buying but that is hard to do now.

[mattio79]

So, most of the computers I have had were built out of parts.  I just slapped them together.

Since I got married and had 3 kids, I guess I got lazy and just started buying HPs and the such.

My wife wanted a high(er) end gaming PC, and we looked around. NO ONE had anything local.  They were all lower end crap.

So, I made a broke down and dropped $1800 and built her one.  I put an I7 920, a ATI 5850, 12 GB RAM, that kind of stuff, along with Windows 7.

So, now she can get her WOW fix in a little bit better.

How many of you still "build you own" or just get the PC that is on sale at Best Buy?

i always, always always, build my own. that way if something fails, i don't have to send in the whole damned computer and have to wait 4-8 weeks to get it back. just take the part out, go back to where i got the parts from and exchange it, or RMA it and it still gets here faster ( typically 2 weeks for BFG, abt the same for XFX and EVGA, a bit longer for the likes of Powercolor or other cheaper brands.  stay away from Visiontek, at all costs!