Barebones vs buy vs upgrade

[cirks]

trying to decide whether to
a) buy a new more powerful machine,
b) upgrade my motherboard and processor
c) buy a barebones system and use some of the cards/bits I already have.
d) build one

I know b) and c) aren't drastically different but at least b) should come with updated fans etc.

Anyone any experience of buying a barebones system and can recommend a supplier/make?

I really don't need any 3d type gamings graphics or even a flashy sound card as the machine will get used primarily for normal PC type application work plus some video editing.

Taking the above requirements into account
any recommendations on CPU (eg Intel vs AMD), motherboards etc would be much appreciated.

Any comments on any of the options? Price comparisons?

Current m/c is AMD Athlon 600Mhz with 374Mb RAM, ASUS K7M Motherboard, CDRW plus a std CD, Creative Soundblaster, Matrox Millenium 400 Vid card.

[onedsla]

Can you give me a clue what you're planning to spend.

With build your own, each part will have its own warranty (eg cpu 3 years, motherboard 1 year etc) but if you're not 100% happy with your (or a mate's) ability to diagnose what's wrong, then you may have to infer further cost to get problems diagnosed.

If you buy a complete system, you'll more than likely be able to get a 3 year warranty.

I'm thinking Intel cpu rather than AMD at the moment, but they're more expensive.

What programs are you using for the editing?

[ceebmoj]

Hi

For the processor I don’t think that there is really all that much difference apart from the cost so I would go with a faster AMD at the same price.

I know that if you want to get really involved in this with bench marks both the AMD and Intel have different strengths but as the would seem to be just a an office box I would not have thourt you where looking for cutting edge. if however I am wrong look at reviews of the processors that you are interested in.

[pdV6]

cirks said:

trying to decide whether to a) buy a new more powerful machine, b) upgrade my motherboard and processor c) buy a barebones system and use some of the cards/bits I already have. d) build one

If cost is the major issue (ultimate performance doesn't seem to be), then depending on the quality of the parts you already own (HD, vid card etc), a barebones system is likely to be the cheapest option, as most places that offer this service effectively give you a slight discount on the package.

A side-effect of building from a barebones system is that you can quite quickly & cheaply get your old PC up & running again if, say, a friend or relative was after a cheap PC.

If you want to change every part of the machine, buying new is the cheapest option, as the big manufacturers get much better discount on parts! However, if you're picky about what individual components are used, this is the most restrictive option.

Personally, I built my current home PC from scratch. Didn't make financial sense, but I enjoy tinkering!

[cirks]

onedsla said:

Can you give me a clue what you're planning to spend

Probably doesn't help you much if I say 'as little as possible'! Because my requirements are not major games or Multimedia ones then I'm hoping I can get away with a few hundred pounds. Although complete machines are available at very low prices now in a way it seems daft buying a complete machine when I have CD writer, hard-disk, CD reader, network card, RAM etc that could be reused. However, I don't mind using the current machine as a backup or even 'writing it off' as none of the above parts are actually that expensive. I suppose the main money for me should be on a good motherboard (DirectX9 compatible), good fast CPU and loads of RAM.

onedsla said:

What programs are you using for the editing?

Pinnacle Studio DV. This is all for home editing (eg of family/hols - combining photos and video etc rather than professional type. One option for equipment that I might consider now is a DVD burner.

[DontLift]

Just buy a Dell, you plug it in, it works and you get a 3 year on site warranty

Nuff said

[Mikej]

I went through this process earlier this year, and ended up buying the bits from ebuyer, using an old CD/RW, floppy, KBD, mouse and RAM that I had - just bought a new HDD, motherboard, porcessor and case. I didn't bother with the latest spec. processor just went for a 1300MHz CPU - the whole lot came to about £150.

The other option that I came across was that many of the smaller companies advertising on eBay sell similar spec machines (i.e. about 1 year behind the latest spec.) for about £190 - could be a good option.

Cheers,

Mike.

[cirks]

DontLift said:

Just buy a Dell, you plug it in, it works and you get a 3 year on site warranty Nuff said

Considering that! Surprised when glancing at latest advert that they are selling pretty good spec complete systems (eg 2.xGhz, 256MB etc) for around £450 incl. monitor.

[Plotloss]

Build it yourself.

Pre-builts look attractive on the face of it but there is always some sort of technical compromise inside them that you can over come if you build it yourself for the same sort of money.

You also get complete control over how it looks...

[cirks]

Mikej said:

I didn't bother with the latest spec. processor just went for a 1300MHz CPU - the whole lot came to about £150.

I also don't need the very latest spec processor but will probably aim for around a 2.4Ghz one. I'm still unsure whether my current cooling arrangements would be enough for some of the new CPUs etc though. So, by the time I have bought CPU, Motherboard, Fans etc am I going to be buying something much cheaper than a ready built m/c as the above are the most expensive components?

[manek]

AMD's 2400 gives the most processing power per £ IYSWIM, but I'd go for the quiet PC approach or you'll be sitting next to something that sounds like a 747. Check out www.quietpc.com, and consider one of the Zalman Flower Cooler and the large fan that goes with it. The larger the fan, the slower it has to run to shift the same amount of air, and the quieter it is. Independent review (OK, it was by me) here: http://reviews.zdnet.co.uk/hardware/desktops/0,39023850,10001586,00.htm

[danielson]

Hi mate, i went down the build it myself route 6 months ago, and pound for pound i think i got a much better spec machine than if i went through Dell etc. Ok on paper the RAM/Processor speeds seem quite attractive in Dell or other Tier 1 brands, but like already mentioned there is a compromise with other components such as MOBOs and onboard graphics, crap cooling etc etc.
Building isnt really that hard, it was my first attempt and touch wood ive had no problems...
Plus it got me right back into "home PCs" again, i mean i work in IT at work but never really had to care about cooling, or dolby 5.1 sound etc etc

[Mikej]

Just one other thing to throw into the mix - there are some very good deals currently with 15" or even 17" TFT screens - I really want a TFT but balk at paying £200 for one.

A number of the deals from Dell, PC world etc. include a "free" upgrade to TFT. Might be worth considering.

Cheers,

Mike.

[outlaw]

Plotloss said:

Build it yourself. Pre-builts look attractive on the face of it but there is always some sort of technical compromise inside them that you can over come if you build it yourself for the same sort of money. You also get complete control over how it looks...

SPOT ON

BUYING A READY MADE PC IS A WAS OF CASH
allways cheaper to build your self

and dells are a bloody nightmare. second only to the likes of compac and tiny.

If you build it your self by the time you have figed out how to put it together.

you stand a better chance of know what your doing when your useing it.

[outlaw]

unles your doing some thing what needs silly speeds
all ways go for the best speed for the pound for cpu`s

personaly I wont bother with P4 only use AMD cpus
go for a desent case thats strait. It aint fun trying to fit cards in the slots when the case is cheap and nasty.
same with hard drives go for the most gig to the pound
never skimp on the motherboard get a good one.

[outlaw]

Mikej said:

Just one other thing to throw into the mix - there are some very good deals currently with 15" or even 17" TFT screens - I really want a TFT but balk at paying £200 for one. A number of the deals from Dell, PC world etc. include a "free" upgrade to TFT. Might be worth considering. Cheers, bear in mind that not all lcds are good at keeping up with fast grafix and some time glitch a bit. CTR tubes still give the best view personaly I couldent work on anything other than a 21inch monitor theas day yoiu really dont want any thing smaller than a 17inch monitor 19 is better still. Mike.