hey, what do you guys know about.....

[uber_randy]

about custom PC's versus Pre-built Systems (e.g compaq)
and what dodge stuff do compaq etc do to their computers e.g upradeability and compatability.

Also, what would be cheaper??


Just need a few, well quite a lot of peoples opinions.

BTW im from new zealand, and have usuall just been roaming this site

[Ritalin Kid]

Pre built can be cheaper if you are buying a whole system. If you are upgrading custom can save you money as well. It all depends on the situation.

Most of the time if the person is new to computers and wants to buy a whole system I will refer them to Dell or Gateway to buy which ever El-Cheap model they have on sale is. 1. Because newbies have lots of questions and tend to get bent out of shape over stupid problems they don't understand. I don't have the resources or patience to deal with that but Dell and Gateway do. 2. If they break it at worst they are not out of alot of money plus again that's a problem that they have to take up with Dell and Gateway.

Now if that person is an experienced computer user that already has an older PC I normally recommend just upgrading their CPU and using their old monitor KB and mouse. You can get a pretty good new computer for alot less when you are only replacing the tower and alot of the time you can salvage parts off the old PC to save even more.

I've had my fair share of late night phone calls about silly questions and I've learned my lesson... If it's their first computer send them to Dell but make sure to explain to them why you are referring them to Dell without offending them.

[uber_randy]

hey, cheers, i just need a bit of info on all this stuff, i do know a bit about computers and have built a few myself, but i need to compare custom and pre builts and im not really to sure where to start.

I have heard some dodgy stuff about compaqs not being upgradeable and was wondering if anybody knew anything about that?

[teengeek88]

yes. most prebuilt computers dont have agp slots and cant up grade the cpu, so not very future-friendly

the thing i like about building my own pc's is i know EXACTLY what going into them....and i think its fun too

[slinky]

The first compaq I had only accepted proprietary parts. The first dell I had was just about fully upgradable with any brand (motherboard upgrades required an extra part- they don't now days though).

[John Prophet]

Dell uses non standard motherboard/power supply nowadays...so you cant just replace the motherboard with any board....unless you replace the power supply also.

I think compaq is pretty standard now. I would think they would be th emost upgradeable of all the big name comps.

Hp uses the smaller power supply...the "micro atx" supply...so usually they are underpowered and the power supplies need replacing after a while.

HP often uses 'OEM" versions of motherboards....like they used to use the Asus 'CUW-AM' board...and it was just not really upgradeable at all as far as just putting on a new cpu.

The really popular Dell Dimension 2400 type comps do not have agp slots.

I dont know quite as much about gateway...but if they bought Emachines they cant be too good, lol.

JP

[slinky]

Dell does not use non standard motherboard/power supplies in their computers- that was in the past. Also, if you buy the lower end Dell Dimensions, you are pretty much guaranteed not to have an agp slot. the mid and high performance systems have agp slots.

[Ritalin Kid]

Where to start?

First, you have to ask yourself what you want and how much you can afford. Create a budget you cannot allow yourself to exceed.

Next, look at what you are currently using.. do you already have a decent keyboard, mouse, speakers, and monitor? If so then building it yourself will save you money short term and long term if you know which parts to buy you can save even more money on your next upgrade since the parts you buy to build your custom computer can contribute to your next upgrade. (i.e. DVD RW, HD, CDRW, Floppy drive, case fans, case, PSU, etc.)

If you are starting fresh but you don't want to take the risk of buying a Compaq or Dell that has limited upgradability you could try buying a complete system from a reputable online vendor such as Zip Zoom Fly or Newegg.com

[ArcticFox]

Personally I wouldn't buy an HP, Dell, even an Alienware - except, my first choice for a laptop would be a Dell... oh my god drool. I don't plan on buying any more PC's, unless I went with VoodooPC and had them make me a custom air-brushed oven-baked case that costs more than my main PC, which I am planning on doing once I get a job (hee hee). You can build a better PC that's cheaper and more customizable than something you can "custom order" from any online vendor, and it's fun too.

[techdude007]

Originally posted by ArcticFox
Personally I wouldn't buy an HP, Dell, even an Alienware - except, my first choice for a laptop would be a Dell... oh my god drool. I don't plan on buying any more PC's, unless I went with VoodooPC and had them make me a custom air-brushed oven-baked case that costs more than my main PC, which I am planning on doing once I get a job (hee hee). You can build a better PC that's cheaper and more customizable than something you can "custom order" from any online vendor, and it's fun too.

Why would you want a Dell laptop? I just bought one and it's the biggest POS ever. Then again I've never had a laptop before, but I prefer to use my 500mhz p3 desktop over my 2.4ghz 1gb DDR 15.4" Dell laptop.

Also... don't buy an HP, my gf told me that her computer was kind of old so I was like alright... brought a few spare components over to her house to give it a little zing, open it up... the LEAST upgradable desktop I've ever seen in my life.