Build or Buy??

[asher_fuller3030]

Recently I have been looking into getting a new computer. I would use it primarily for gaming and digital art, and I'd like to try to keep the price range from $1200 to $1500. I know this price range won't buy the best, but it is a 'midrange pc', and i hope to have room for later expansion.
Now comes my problem...To Build or To Buy. Ideally, (and I think most people would agree) I'd like to build my own pc. However, limited computer building experience and lack of parental support (seeing as they will be contributing alot to purchasing the parts or the brand name pc) has discouraged me from taking on the task.
In case I do have to buy a brand name pc, I have been looking at some 'backup pcs'. My top three are comps buy ABS, Velocity Micro, and (believe it or not) Dell. In the past I have had good experiences working with Dell, and I'd be willing to purchase from them again.
Anyway, any help on this major decision will be greatly appreciated.

Mike

[maxiderm]

all of my pc's in my house have been custom built by me. i build them for a living! so im not gonna recomend to buy from Dell..... but if your parents are willing to spend the money then take it from me:

http://www.pricepc.com

you choose the parts and they custom build it for you.... and give a one year warranty on every part they sell you. also, if you choose an operating system, they install it for you and the drivers for any extra parts they put on. Very good service from them in the past. hope this helps.
-Max-

[Starfury_2260]

ratings for that site are a bit old but might still be worth reading:
http://www.resellerratings.com/seller1222.html

[Xiun]

An article was written about build vs buy a while back at http://www.pugetsystems.com/articles.php?id=14
If you decide to buy, you shold check out those guys as well.

[Cook_1]

Personally, I'd go with build. Not only will you get all the options you want on your PC but also for a lot less then it would to buy one of the customized PC's from Dell or anyplace else for that matter.