Is it easier for a gamer to build his own high-end computer, or to get one from a manufacturer like Alienware?

Question

Does it cost less to build it yourself or to get it from a manufacturer? I know just buying one is easier, but I I want to build a really high-end Computer with a 1.5TB HD, 2GB of memory, an ATI Radeon X1950XTX 512mb DDR4 PCI-E Crossfire setup, a ATI All-In-Wonder with TV In/out, HD Audio, Intel Core DUO (or Whatever is Intel's fastest Double CPU setup) Running on Windows Vista Ultimate (I own an RC1 Copy). I could buy the motherboard, tower, and all the other stuff, but will it cost more? It'll be hard work building, but will it be worth it? I won't have any Tech support, so If anything goes haywire, I'll be standing alone. Or will it cost more with buying the whole setup. If not my extreme-gamer setup, Is it better to build your own PC or to buy one from the store?

Answer 1

Well the previous guy is half right. It is cheaper to buy a prebuilt one if you are looking for a low end computer. But on highend computers like the one you are talking about, the manufacturers still mark up there stuff so you save a lot by building your own. It actually is not that hard building one, as long as you have a good amount of knowledge the actual construction is about as difficult as putting together a lego set. For the type of system you are talking about, building yourself well save you a great deal of money. By the way, since you seem to have a large amount of cash to burn, look into getting liquid cooling.

Answer 2

Alienware and other manufacturers buy hundreds or thousands of components (video cards, hard drives, RAM, etc. etc.) at once. You're buying one. (or two, at most) Who do you think is going to get a better price?

Building your own PC is great if you're a knowledgeable hobbyist or tech who can be your own support. Otherwise, you're much better off buying something that's been tested by an engineer to make sure the pieces all play nice together.

Answer 3

Not worth it anymore. It used to be cheaper, but now all the big companies can buy stuff in bulk for far less. Just make sure you know exactly what you are buying.. Some companies will give you a great processor, but cheapest motherboard/ram. A computer is only as fast as the slowest part.

Answer 4

Not easier but far cheaper! If you know what youre doin you can build an exact duplicate of a 1500 dollar Alienware system with the exception of the same case for as much as 65 percent less!

Answer 5

Unless you really take the time to shop around, you won't be able to match the Alienware price. Remember that Alienware also comes with the Windows license.

With the Alienware desktop, you can still replace the video card when the next AWESOME one comes out.

Visit http://www.newegg.com for typical prices. Make a full list
Case
Power Supply
Motherboard
CPU
RAM
Video Card
Floppy disk?
Hard drive
DVD burner
Software
Monitor
Sound card
Speakers
Ethernet Card

Answer 6

well pc now are getting to be a good price from the
manufacturer. but if you know how to build your own pc then you can do so if you want a fast pc with good ram in then that is where its going to coast you but you can build your own for less
build your own buy the tower and all the parts and start work ,remember the more ram toy have the better try a pc with 1024mbr and a good processor , AMD Athlon 64 X2 4800+ Dual Core Processor

http://www.tigerdirect.com/

if you cant make it then pick the parts you want in a pc and let the professional ,put them in

From... $549.99 *
Featuring AMD Athlon 64 X2 dual-core technology and optional NVIDIA graphics card for running multiple applications at once
Windows Vista Capable
Processor
AMD Athlon 64 X2 dual core processors
http://www.shopping.hp.com/webapp/shopping/computer_series.do;jsessionid=Fj2wqm1qYQwMcmukr1SNh1bCOqz72BxjICMMz5mByzFtpu7bCzYD!-566988626?series_name=a1650_series&catLevel=2&category=desktops/hp_pavilion&storeName=computer_store

if you buy from hp-computes when you have the pc do this


click on start /all programs
in the list go to pc help & tool
then click on
hp-pc- recovery tools-cd
noW click on
creat the recovery tools cd
use a cd(r) disk ...to creater the pc tools cd
then click next
and wait for it to creat a
system tool recovery cd
do not stop it at all
when the system tools
cd is created your have
a system recovery tools
cd- this cd will reinstall
all the software that came with the pc and
now coz we have reset the software it will
restall the software that is on the pc and
reinstall windows xp home and set it back up
windows xp will be reinstalled and set back up

the
hp-pc-tools cd
this just reinstall's the software that was on the
the hard drive at the time you buy the pc it will also
install windows xp. os .with out asking for the windows xp cd
creat multiple partitioins




hp-pc-dvd revovery creater cd
click on start /all programs
in the list go to pc help & tool
then click on
hp-pc- recovery creater cd
use a dvd (r)disk .do not stop this till the .hp-recovery .creater cd's have been made.then your have your .hp-recover creater cd's



what.hp-creater cd's do
hp-pc-dvd revovery creater cd
use a dvd(r) disk
to create the revovery creater cd
you will have 2 options
options 1: to just install the windows xp & the software that was on
the hard drive from day 1 without for mating the hard drive
options2: will format the hard drive
and reinstall windows xp with out asking for the windows xp cd
& install the software that was on the pc from day1




hp-cd's & windows & product key cd
your windows product key
can be fond on the side of the pc or on the top
or at the back of the pc
now its best to write that windows product key
and keep it in a safe place

and put that windows product key in to a notepad
and copy the notepad
to a back up cd put the
product key cd. in a safe place with windows xp & the hp-pc-recovery cds
all in a safe place

now you can make back up copy's of the recovery cd's you have made
with the hp.cd creater cd's you use sonci my dvd to make copy's of them cd's
with hp-pc-recovery cd you can use windows burner or sonic my dvd
to make a back up copy of that cd
then make them as the cds for what they are but make as back copy cd's
then your not get any of them mixed up then put them all in a safe place/with
windows xp cd so no one can damage them