I need to replace my old desktop computer - after seven years, the motherboard developed a fault. Because most of its other components are quite old, I might as well buy a new computer rather than replace the motherboard.
So it’s time to set up a budget and plan the purchase. It’s been a long time since I did it last time, and my last computer purchase before that was quite a few years earlier, so I’m definitely not quite up to date with what’s up in the market. More like, many years out of date. I have a few questions:
[ul]
[li]Is it still cheaper to buy a bunch of components and build your own? Is it still worth the hassle? If the saving I can make is small, I might just buy a ready made one.[/li][li]How much should I roughly budget? I would like to be able to play current games smoothly, and I’m going to use the new machine for software development as well. But the budget has to be as low as possible.[/li][li]What sellers and suppliers to consider here in the UK, for components or for ready made computers? Apple is not an option.[/li][li]Can anyone suggest a reasonable configuration?[/li][/ul]
I bought this computer and it has more power than you’ll probably ever need. I bought a separate NEC monitor because they’re very highly rated for resolution, etc. Total cost probably around $1300. I could have gotten by much more cheaply with a lesser monitor, but for digital photo manipulation it’s worth the extra money.
Last time I checked, it wasn’t cheaper to buy components and build your own, unless you’re after something serious like a high-end gaming machine.
However, there could be some net saving in buying a fairly barebones machine that has a decent CPU and motherboard and adding more RAM and a decent graphics card yourself.
eBuyer is usually very competitive on price - and I have used them many times without any problems.
Missed this thread the first time round. I only have laptops these days, so I don’t build computers any more, but I’ve always found the Ars Technica System Guides really useful: The latest one is from July, and sets out three systems: The Budget Box, the Hot Rod and the God Box.
Seconding the recommendation for eBuyer, I buy from them all the time and I’ve found them pretty competitive on price, with decent shipping. I hear their customer service isn’t all that, but I’ve never had to deal with them (touch wood, etc.).
I would agree with this. The first time I built my own system, I think I priced it out via a “build to order” place like iBuyPower and saw I had saved maybe $50-$70. Given the time I spent building it and needing to RMA a faulty power supply (that in theory would have been caught by testing), I’d call it a wash. It was a good experience in that I have little nervousness about tinkering in the box these days but it wasn’t a significant cash savings.
I suppose you could reap more savings if you played the long game and bought individual components on deep sales as they come up. But I doubt you want to stalk your processor for six weeks waiting for the best price.
“Playing current games smoothly” is a pretty vague term. I threw together a system with an old i3 processor and a GeForce 560Ti card and it runs current games fine provided you’re not trying to max out the resolution and graphic options. As a very general guideline, I’d go for an i5 processor and look at spending around $250(US) for the video card. That should get you in the neighborhood of a budget conscious system that can still play anything on the shelf provided you’re not expecting it to play like a $1500 system.
You might like to look at Novatech for a barebones system. I used to use them, but have not recently. The GPU that’s the best bang for the buck is currently the AMD Radeon HD 7950. Make sure your PC has a PSU that will cope. Do try to treat yourself to a second monitor. Do not skimp on the monitor, the keyboard, or the mouse.
Last off-the-shelf computer I bought was a relatively low-end gaming rig from HP a couple years ago. Six-core processor and a decent video card for about $650. Runs pretty much all my games at the best settings with ease, except for Euro Truck Simulator 2 for some reason. That one needs to be on low setting or it stutters.
Lots of interesting material, thanks. I think I’ll have to budget something around the cost of the Budget box in the Ars Technica guide, or maybe I’ll try to keep an eye out for special deals as and when they come out, as Jophiel suggests.
Novatech was actually recommended by an acquaintance, but as a slightly more expensive solution, where the extra costs would offset the hassles of putting together your own PC. Which was, by the way, a decent way to save a little in the past; maybe the far past now? The thing is, whoever sold ready made computers often charged a little extra for the actual assembly and testing. This was, mind you, in the dark ages of jumpers, IRQs and dodgy compatibility. I often ended up saving by buying the separate parts listed in a seller’s specification for whatever computer I was interested. But times change.
Anyway, I had a good look at the Novatech website. It looks interesting, but I wish it was possible to customize in some detail what they sell.