<p>I'd like to build my own with the help of a tech saavy friend.</p>
<p>On the other hand, ordering a Dell might be easier.</p>
<p>Any opinions? Pros/cons?</p>
<p>Oof, I’d buy a Dell. Savvy’s got two v’s.</p>
<p>Building a computer is cheaper.</p>
<p>Building is significantly cheaper. If your tech savvy friend is relatively competent with computers, you’ll be fine. It’s pretty easy.</p>
<p>use newegg.com, thats how most of my friends made their super computers >_<…</p>
<p>Building will definitely save a few hundred dollars. I built a fancy desktop for $500 a few months ago, problem is it’s huge.</p>
<p>Be sure to check the dimensions of the case and the components before ordering. Common mistake I see a lot of people run into is buying fantastic components that won’t fit.</p>
<p>Building is usually cheaper but sometimes you can get a monitor/refurb computer deal for cheaper, usually through tigerdirect or newegg.</p>
<p>building is USUALLY cheaper, but depending on how much you’re looking to spend, i’d say you might just be better off buying from Dell, HP, etc. plus with them you get customer support and have someone to blame if something goes wrong. if you or your friend fries a component building the machine, you might be SOL. the other thing you can do is buy from a custom PC builder. i bought one from [CyberPower</a> Inc. - UNLEASH THE POWER - Create the Custom Gaming PC and Laptop Computer of your dreams](<a href=“http://www.cyberpowerpc.com%5DCyberPower”>http://www.cyberpowerpc.com) a few years ago. machine is still standing strong. there are other sites like them so just look around.</p>
<p>with that said, if you want a very powerful gaming machine, build yourself. if you want a low end machine, go with an OEM like Dell, HP, etc.</p>
<p>Unless you get a cheap source for the operating system (perhaps an academic license of Windows) you’ll basically save literally nothing. The only advantage is knowing what parts you put in your computer, but you could also buy the cheapest from Dell/HP or whatnot and upgrade to your needs.</p>
<p>I’d go with the factory computer.</p>
<p>build a computer if you have enough space in your dorm, if not, buy a laptop. once you compare a “built” computer to a factory computer you’ll realize how horrible the factory computers are and never buy them again</p>
<p>I built a computer in the summer and I love it, having some internet problems atm though.</p>
<p>Build a computer if you want to spend time learning about a computer (days/weeks) and/or fixing problems that happen (days/weeks). And you like to build things.</p>
<p>Buy factory if you’re lazy, want a warranty, and spend a couple hundred bucks extra.</p>
<p>It depends on the level of performance you’re looking for. Generally, the more powerful the computer you’re after, the better/cheaper it is to build it yourself. If you want an intro-level comp and aren’t planning to run any graphics/processing intensive programs, you should just buy the Dell.</p>
<p>building is cheaper if you’re going for a quality build…it’s hard to undercut the real cheap offerings from dell, but if you’re going to get something that’s a bit higher end, you can save some money.</p>
<p>It’s mostly in the upgrades, usually the bargain PC’s skimp on memory (and it costs extra to bump up to a more reasonable 4 or 8 GB) and graphics (usually integrated graphics)</p>
<p>Windows doesn’t affect the cost at all, you just need to buy an OEM version, which is a lot cheaper than a retail version.</p>
<p>Or get linux.</p>
<p>There is no point in getting 4 gigs of memory if you’ve got a 32 bit operating system. The OS can only use about 3.5 gigs of it. Even if you have 8 you can only use 3.5. Add in the issues that 64 bit Windows has had with programs crashing and I’m not sure you’d really see that much benefit from 64 bit and an extra couple gigs</p>
<p>I’ve built three computers with parts from Newegg - one for my brother ~3 years ago that still runs great, one for me that I built January '08 and brought to school this last year that I’m using now, and one for my mom a few weeks ago.
I would say that especially for lower end machines it’s not going to be a ton cheaper to build. I also didn’t pay for the operating system (if you catch my drift…).
Chuy: 3.5 is still better than 3, and it’s generally easier to just get 2x2 GB RAM then a 1 GB chip and a 2 GB chip</p>
<p>I’m running Windows 7 x64 and I have no problems with programs crashing. A lot of my installed programs (and games, Steam games) still run in full 32 bit mode, and no issues at all.</p>
<p>4GB is the new “standard” for above-average computers. Not even gaming, just standard.</p>
<p>3GB feels wrong because it’s not a power of two. Dual channeling in the past has given me this opinion (and remember times of 64mb, 128mb, and 256mb sticks, all powers of two)</p>
<p>2GB feels low to me. My old Athlon64 6000+ had 2GB running Windows XP. It doesn’t feel like enough for Windows 7 now.</p>
<p>[Disclaimer: I’ve been upgrading my own computer since 2000, and built my first computer in 2003. I’ve been building new ones for myself ever since. I feel that everybody should do the same, as it’s very easy and a great way to save money. You always get exactly what you want, and never have to deal with limited selection (e.g. graphic card selection on most Dell computers are like 4 ATI cards).]</p>
<p>Custom build with parts from [Newegg[/url</a>] + [url=<a href=“http://www.ubuntu.com/]Ubuntu”>http://www.ubuntu.com/]Ubuntu</a> Linux](<a href=“http://www.newegg.com/]Newegg[/url”>http://www.newegg.com/) all the way!</p>