New PC: Buy or Build?

Watty_3

Folks, thanks so much for taking the time to post the info. I'm a wee bit overwhelmed reading it all. I suppose things are never quite as simple and cut and dry as you might expect!

I'm off work tomorrow and plan on doing some proper research about what will suit us best. I'm tempted just to go and buy 'off-the-shelf' but on the other hand I'm tempted more by the opportunity of getting a bigger bang for my buck if I can source components and have it self-built.

Perhaps I'll use one of the custom design sites like the one MercilessKiller posted to cost a build based on an off-the-shelf PC. I can then guage if there is a big difference in prices. Then I'll take it from there.

About buying a console like johnmcn suggested, it's a fair comment, however, I've been down that road with my son and he assures me that it's a PC he wants (he then elaborates that he can use it for schoolwork etc etc like every parent hears I bet!).

Thanks again for the advice, and keep it coming!!!

devizes18193

i think if you bulid , you get the enjoyment if the experience and the learning curve of doing it , However if it goes wrong you'll be the guy fixing it ,whereas if you buy, you get a man in , and its his prob .The last place i would buy a machine from is pc world .

littleange

I alway build my own machines as you know exactly whats gone into them and can research the best components available for the money, and I also have incredibly sensitive hearing so sound is a very important factor for me, but making a pc quiet isn't the cheapest option.

Wolfman mentioned the noise of graphics cards - gigabyte make both ATI & Nvidia cards with a silent pipe or now screen cooling I see - so no nosiy fans.

gigabyte graphic cards

I tend to stick to Intel rather than AMD and have always had reliable motherboards from ASUS.

I'd recommend 2gb or ram for gaming.

If I have chance tomorrow I'll have a look at some components, and tell you what I'd buy for that budget if I needed a new machine now.

Watty_3

The best laid plans etc etc.. I didn't get a chance to do my PC research today, but had a look around over the last hour or so and found this Mesh PC. Any comments on the processor/graphics/price would be appreciated. I will cost each of the items separately with that Microdirect site tomorrow lunchtime and see what the difference is. Mesh seem to have not a bad reputation either, although I'm still kinda leaning towards buying the bits and getting it put together.

littleange

Sorry I haven't been able to look at any parts, lost my internet connection (Euro1net)

volcano99

Hi,

I am interested in buying PC from this company directly.
From their reply, they will charge me 19% of sales tax (in Euros) + delivery charge of 29 euros per consignment (I have tried to put two base units into the same order, the delivery charge at the end is still 29 euros - credit card or paypal; cash on delivery? will charge 35 euros for the same courier service).

However if I purchase via eBay or Amazon MarketPlace, the price of the same spec are in GBP (eBay slightly cheaper) + delivery charge >£30.

Has 'Little Jo' purchase anything from them since 2006? I didn't know that they have been trading since 2006..............

MercilessKiller wrote: »

Didn't think VAT would be a problem as within the European Constitution :x

DatabaseError

GunJack

DatabaseError wrote: »

Pure class dbe

JasX

Indeed, I'm going to provide no useful advice to someone digging up a 2006 thread like this....:beer:

DatabaseError wrote: »

jaygomez

Classic!