Built Vs branded desktops

[bob123]

my computer died last week and after having it checked out i was told that the motherboard had gone. i had it built for me 3 yrs ago by micro direct. i basically just went on all the major branded websites (Dell/Evesham) and then bought mostly the same components they fitted from MD. i paid a bit extra to have them put it together for me plus i got a year warranty. I found i saved about ?200-300 for what was basically the same system. My question is:

Should a system used quite heavily, bought from a independent retailer be conking out after 3 yrs? i feel that i should get longer.

I read about 'build quality' being better at the major retailers but if its just a case of attaching the system parts together is there really much difference than just building it yourself? i mean the CPU, GPU etc are all the same.

i will probably have to buy a new one and wondered whether people feel they got a better quality system with the major retailers as opposed to building your own? If so, was it worth the extra money?

[Magnakai]

That is a shame.
Motherboards should last a long time as long as they're properly cooled and installed.

My self-built system has been going for at least 6 years (though with light use for the last 3/4) and another one has been going for 4 years of heavy, heavy use.

Sounds like you were just unlucky. It's worth doing some heavy testing on components just after you get them to make sure they're ok, I guess.

[sj33]

I build my own Computers... it's really very simple, everything just fits together..

Build quality isn't really an issue, as it's not going to be the entire machine at fault, just a specific component. This would be the same for any machine, both prebuilt and self-built.

I would recommend people go the self-built route if they can simply because you can choose exactly what components you want in your machine... it'll be exactly how you want it.
You might be able to find a retail machine at a spec that suits you, but it's pretty pot luck what motherboard you end up with, what brand graphics card, RAM, cooling etc.

If you don't know how to build one yourself, it's something worth learning, as you will be free to upgrade any component of your machine at will whenever you want to. Need a better graphics card? Buy one and install it. Better CPU? But one and install it. You won't be limited to whatever spec machine you originally purchased. I don't think a single component of my PC is the same as when I originally built it 3 years ago.

[Rossco]

Yeah, it really is so much better if you can build it yourself, save the money, and easy to upgrade one bit at a time if need be too!

Not even difficult, if you have common sense you can do it. Probably loads of guides etc, on the net to help.

Always worth building, since like Shakey Jake said, its pot luck what brand of components you get, especially for something like the motherboard which you should be buying a good quality one if your building your own.

[Ajay1986]

Building your own is best. The large companies that sell PC's are out to make a profit best way of profit making use the cheapest bits you can get. Build it yourself you know exactly whats in it and you know its quality, so if ya can its deffo the best way to go.

[kernow]

bought my motherboard in 1998 and still using it now

on 24/7 nowadays usually

[sj33]

bought my motherboard in 1998 and still using it now

on 24/7 nowadays usually

Wow, what CPU are you using? o_O

[superkully]

I would always build my own, I finally convinced a mate at work to do the same in Spring this year - he managed it without any help whatsoever.

You have the piece of mind of knowing exactly what you have put inside and it allows you to customise the machine for what you want it to do, rather than what DELL &c. think you might want it for...

I'd start off with a good case and PSU and go from there.

[kernow]

started off on the board with dual p2-350's, now its dual p3-800e's and has been for at least 5 years.

still fast as hell to me too, just not for gaming.

Wow, what CPU are you using? o_O

[eastyy]

Yeh my computer i have had for several years its had 3 new motherboards and processors 3 new cases 4 new graphics cards 2 new moniters 2 new soundcards

Actually everything i had left over i built a computer for my sister

I noticed this when people asked me to go computer shopping with them.I go to places like pc world or visit the dell website.Most of the time they have crummy graphics cards.If you play games you need a decent one

[superkully]

[QUOTE=eastyy]Yeh my computer i have had for several years its had 3 new motherboards and processors 3 new cases 4 new graphics cards 2 new moniters 2 new soundcards

[QUOTE]

All that and you still have the audacity to call it the same computer!?!?!?

[Magnakai]

I'd have a look at these guides if you're looking into building a new PC:

http://arstechnica.com/guides/buyer/system-guide-200508.ars

They have a really quality list of components to use.

I used the Budget Box's case in a computer I built for work recently.
OMFG.
Nicest Case Ever.

[bob123]

interesting views. i always wondered why people buy brnaded systems and wondered if i was missing something. seems as if i was right. just one thing. the guy who said my mobo was trashed also wanted to charge me ?100 to replce it. ?100 for a 3 yr old mobo is way over what i expected which has led me to suspect he may be tryin it on. How can i check which component is faulty?

[Baseley09]

If you're a first time buyer IMO you cant beat branded package systems for cost including all the extras bundled.

Saying that I had CCL build my original in 99 and while the Athlon mobo & cpu live on, the maxtor HDD & Geforce died within 4 years.

[eastyy]

[QUOTE=superkully][QUOTE=eastyy]Yeh my computer i have had for several years its had 3 new motherboards and processors 3 new cases 4 new graphics cards 2 new moniters 2 new soundcards

All that and you still have the audacity to call it the same computer!?!?!?

That why the smily

Same joke as in only fools and horses with triggers broom

Anyway me and my folks went into pc world they were searching for a computer i was looking for some parts.

To be honest some of the staff there were a waste of time i was looking for a motherboard a pentium one to fix a computer i saw the one i wanted and got someone.He had no idea i was telling him what it was for.My dad bought a computer i was not there when he bought it when we got home we installed some games.One pinball game he wanted to try it would not work error message NO 3d CAPABLE CARD FOUND.Turns out its was some crummy built in motherboard thing