Self Built or Tailor Made?

carlpenn · 2nd January 2008, 00:45

Every PC I have owned, I have built myself.

Basically, I started off with a Cast off from my Brother, that consisted of a really old AMD CPU (3D Now) and a 512Mb HDD, 512Mb RAM and a Voodo Graphics Card !!

Now, although two years or so old, I have a fairly decent PC, running from:

Giga Byte Mainboard (Dont remember which model, something like N400 Pro 2)
AMD Barton 3200+ CPU
1024 Mb RAM
2 x 120Gb SATA Western Digital HDD's
Nvidia GeForce 6600 LE 8 x AGP
Soundblaster Audigy Card
USB 2.0 Expansion Card
Samsung DVD Rewriter
Samsung DVD ROM
Samsung CD ROM

Externally:

Lexmark X2480 Printer Scanner
USB Seagate 320Gb HDD
Logitech 5:1 Speakers
Logitech Wireless Keyboard + Mouse
Logitech Freedom 2.4 Ghz Joystick
Hanns G 19" TFT Monitor

Did you build your own and to what specs?

Dave***t · 2nd January 2008, 07:06

I'd suggest you could do with a third 'off the shelf' category. I've rebuilt computers etc in the past, but this time I went for an off the shelf model because it was a good deal - dual 3.2 cpu, 2GB RAM, 512MB video, 300GB HD with a further 300GB removable HD etc.

Sometimes - and even if it's only very occasionally - PC World aren't that bad

CDTi · 2nd January 2008, 09:46

I can't really vote as I would have to tick both boxes :xmas-smiley-016:.

I have built a few myself, but for the past while I have bought from Dell. You really can't beat them on price or quality for their basic PCs.

e668ecp · 2nd January 2008, 10:08

Quote:

Originally Posted by CDTi

I can't really vote as I would have to tick both boxes :xmas-smiley-016:.

I have built a few myself, but for the past while I have bought from Dell. You really can't beat them on price or quality for their basic PCs.

Dell and quality? They don't go together!!

GERFIX · 2nd January 2008, 10:11

My PC's a Dell and had no issues whatsoever over the year and a half I've had it.

CDTi · 2nd January 2008, 10:14

Quote:

Originally Posted by e668ecp

Dell and quality? They don't go together!!

I can only speak for myself, but I have 3 Dell products at home (2 desktops and a lappy) and none have given any trouble.

We also use Dell PCs almost exclusively at work and they give us little trouble.

Just my 2 cents

.

BTW, I have no connection with Dell etc etc

carlpenn · 2nd January 2008, 10:26

I worked for a Company that used Dell PC's to Run CAD Software exclusively and apprently they where the Bee's Knees !!! Everyone else had to make do with Compaq PC's, Low spec ones at that (Mine only had 128Mb RAM !! )

I used the "Tailor Made" Option for both Off the Shelf and Store Built ones, sorry I didnt make that clear, it was late though

!!

e668ecp · 2nd January 2008, 10:33

I've only ever had problems with Dells and so no longer touch them. I suppose I'm talking from a repair point of view. I don't like how they have custom upside down motherboards!

Raistlin · 2nd January 2008, 10:35

My computers are in a continual state of flux so I'd have to go for the "self build" option

If you are considering buying, we use Dell computers exclusively at the Defence College and their reliability is excellent.

Although I produce computers to order for previous customers, I'd have no problem at all recommending Dell for general purpose machines.

BMC123 · 2nd January 2008, 12:35

I have been building my own PC's since my first one (a 486 sx25) up until the last one:

Intel P4 3.4ht
2 GB ram
250 GB sata hard drive
300 GB IDE hard drive (on the same board yes - good for dual installs)
2 X 16 speed DVD burners
Geforce 7600 Ultra 512 graphics card
Soundblaster audigy 2 Platinum soundcard (with front panel)
multicard reader
600W PSU
Artic cooling heatsink & fans on CPU and case
19" widescreen monitor

That one is now in my workshop, and the new one is a Dell.

And a very good one at that.

Quad core 2.4 cpu
4GB ram
600 GB RAID STRIPE hard drives (2x300Gb)
Geforce 8800GTX 756mb graphics card
18x dvd burner & dvd rom
onboard HD 7.1 audio
22" widescreen hdmi monitor

To answer another common myth, dell do not use "custom upside down motherboards" they use BTX boards (as do many other firms these days) you can read up on BTX and micro ATX boards here:

http://www.formfactors.org/

and here:

http://www.hardwaresecrets.com/article/25 (from 2004 when BTX first showed up)

BTX boards are no different to work on than ATX, as a hardware engineer I have built and fixed both types and have no problems with them at all. (you just have to remember that the cases and PSU's between the two are not compatable) Yes, dell did have a bad reputation for a while, but that has been long since dealt with and I would have no hesitation in recomending dell to anyone.

View Poll Results: Self Built or Tailor Made?
I built my own	13	81.25%
I bought a Tailor Made one	3	18.75%
Voters: 16. You may not vote on this poll

2nd January 2008, 00:45	#1
carlpenn This is my second home 2000 Wedgey Blue 2.5V6 Beauty Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Bilston Posts: 4,486 Thanks: 36 Thanked 29 Times in 16 Posts	Self Built or Tailor Made? Every PC I have owned, I have built myself. Basically, I started off with a Cast off from my Brother, that consisted of a really old AMD CPU (3D Now) and a 512Mb HDD, 512Mb RAM and a Voodo Graphics Card !! Now, although two years or so old, I have a fairly decent PC, running from: Giga Byte Mainboard (Dont remember which model, something like N400 Pro 2) AMD Barton 3200+ CPU 1024 Mb RAM 2 x 120Gb SATA Western Digital HDD's Nvidia GeForce 6600 LE 8 x AGP Soundblaster Audigy Card USB 2.0 Expansion Card Samsung DVD Rewriter Samsung DVD ROM Samsung CD ROM Externally: Lexmark X2480 Printer Scanner USB Seagate 320Gb HDD Logitech 5:1 Speakers Logitech Wireless Keyboard + Mouse Logitech Freedom 2.4 Ghz Joystick Hanns G 19" TFT Monitor Did you build your own and to what specs? __________________ 2.5V6 Auto: Work carried out so far: Crankcase Breather Pipe replaced, O/S CV Joint replaced, Starter Motor Repair Kit Fitted, Front Suspension Overhauled.

2nd January 2008, 07:06	#2
Dave*t Gets stuck in MG ZT+ 180 SE** Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Birmingham Posts: 646 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	I'd suggest you could do with a third 'off the shelf' category. I've rebuilt computers etc in the past, but this time I went for an off the shelf model because it was a good deal - dual 3.2 cpu, 2GB RAM, 512MB video, 300GB HD with a further 300GB removable HD etc. Sometimes - and even if it's only very occasionally - PC World aren't that bad __________________ [SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]

2nd January 2008, 09:46	#3
CDTi This is my second home No longer in the MGR club Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Tipperary Posts: 3,933 Thanks: 35 Thanked 51 Times in 35 Posts	I can't really vote as I would have to tick both boxes :xmas-smiley-016:. I have built a few myself, but for the past while I have bought from Dell. You really can't beat them on price or quality for their basic PCs. __________________ 'Tis better to be silent and be thought a fool, than to speak and remove all doubt. Last edited by CDTi; 2nd January 2008 at 09:49..

2nd January 2008, 10:11	#5
GERFIX I really should get out more....... MINI COOPER S Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Tranent, East Lothian, SCOTLAND Posts: 2,834 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	My PC's a Dell and had no issues whatsoever over the year and a half I've had it. __________________ .......................................Colin http://i245.photobucket.com/albums/g...Cooper-S-2.jpg

2nd January 2008, 10:26	#7
carlpenn This is my second home 2000 Wedgey Blue 2.5V6 Beauty Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Bilston Posts: 4,486 Thanks: 36 Thanked 29 Times in 16 Posts	I worked for a Company that used Dell PC's to Run CAD Software exclusively and apprently they where the Bee's Knees !!! Everyone else had to make do with Compaq PC's, Low spec ones at that (Mine only had 128Mb RAM !! ) I used the "Tailor Made" Option for both Off the Shelf and Store Built ones, sorry I didnt make that clear, it was late though !! __________________ 2.5V6 Auto: Work carried out so far: Crankcase Breather Pipe replaced, O/S CV Joint replaced, Starter Motor Repair Kit Fitted, Front Suspension Overhauled.

2nd January 2008, 10:33	#8
e668ecp I really should get out more....... Range Rover Evoque and ZT V8 SE Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Yorkshire Posts: 2,232 Thanks: 20 Thanked 37 Times in 34 Posts	I've only ever had problems with Dells and so no longer touch them. I suppose I'm talking from a repair point of view. I don't like how they have custom upside down motherboards!

2nd January 2008, 10:35	#9
Raistlin Banned 75 CDT Connoisseur SE Auto Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Wolverhampton Posts: 8,450 Thanks: 0 Thanked 3 Times in 3 Posts	My computers are in a continual state of flux so I'd have to go for the "self build" option If you are considering buying, we use Dell computers exclusively at the Defence College and their reliability is excellent. Although I produce computers to order for previous customers, I'd have no problem at all recommending Dell for general purpose machines.

2nd January 2008, 12:35	#10
BMC123 Posted a thing or two 2004 1.8 Connoisseur SE, 1999 XJ8 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Northern Ireland Posts: 1,163 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	I have been building my own PC's since my first one (a 486 sx25) up until the last one: Intel P4 3.4ht 2 GB ram 250 GB sata hard drive 300 GB IDE hard drive (on the same board yes - good for dual installs) 2 X 16 speed DVD burners Geforce 7600 Ultra 512 graphics card Soundblaster audigy 2 Platinum soundcard (with front panel) multicard reader 600W PSU Artic cooling heatsink & fans on CPU and case 19" widescreen monitor That one is now in my workshop, and the new one is a Dell. And a very good one at that. Quad core 2.4 cpu 4GB ram 600 GB RAID STRIPE hard drives (2x300Gb) Geforce 8800GTX 756mb graphics card 18x dvd burner & dvd rom onboard HD 7.1 audio 22" widescreen hdmi monitor To answer another common myth, dell do not use "custom upside down motherboards" they use BTX boards (as do many other firms these days) you can read up on BTX and micro ATX boards here: http://www.formfactors.org/ and here: http://www.hardwaresecrets.com/article/25 (from 2004 when BTX first showed up) BTX boards are no different to work on than ATX, as a hardware engineer I have built and fixed both types and have no problems with them at all. (you just have to remember that the cases and PSU's between the two are not compatable) Yes, dell did have a bad reputation for a while, but that has been long since dealt with and I would have no hesitation in recomending dell to anyone. __________________ [SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]