Computer Help

[Martlet]

So, I re-upped today, logged in, then got booted for map reset.  I came back to a crashed computer.  I need an upgrade anyway, so that's where the collective hive mind comes in.  

Any suggestions?  I'm leaning towards just buying a motherboard, cpu, ram, etc and sticking it in my case.  However, when I price it out on newegg the prices don't seem that much different than buying a new one.

[Mark Luper]

The major difference in building your own vrs. buying a pre-built computer is that you can choose each and every component that is put into it. I find that the pre-built computer will normaly run cheaper than the self-built computer in my case because I get pretty picky about what I put into it.

If you go really high end on a pre-built computer you could possibly save some money building it yourself but that is no guarantee.

Mark

[Fulmar]

Cheap $400 Walmart specials really cant be beat in price when you try to build your own.  Plus you get an OS with it (some are Vista Basic and some are Premium).  When you start building a system $1500 and up, you can start to save some money.  Really high end stuff you can save a lot of money.  Kilz had a thread asking if this $8000 Dell was worth it.  I went onto Newegg, priced something similar and came out shy of $5000.

For the person that does very little gaming, has to take their PC to a shop for repairs...pre-built systems are the way to go.  They'll get a warranty and will be able to talk to India for customer support.

But if you know enough to put one together yourself, I would rather know what brands and part numbers are in my computer.  You have no customer support, but calling India isn't much fun.

[Martlet]

The comp I have now I built myself.  I just haven't done any major upgrades to it in years.  I have no problems building one, I just don't know squat about what's good and what isn't.  When I built this one I had someone at the store with me when I bought the components.  

I may go look at pre-builts, just to see what's out there.  I may google some "do it yourself" specs too.  Maybe I can find some component suggestions.

[JB73]

Originally posted by Martlet
The comp I have now I built myself.  I just haven't done any major upgrades to it in years.  I have no problems building one, I just don't know squat about what's good and what isn't.  When I built this one I had someone at the store with me when I bought the components.  

I may go look at pre-builts, just to see what's out there.  I may google some "do it yourself" specs too.  Maybe I can find some component suggestions.

find a pre-built with XP on it ,. BUY IT...

if you are looking at anything pre-made see the tech and support forums on running AH on Micro$oft Windows Vi$ta  


Seriously, post in the support forum, and give all the information you can. many many are willing to help...


but...

if you go buy a new Vi$ta system I doubt you will run AH at all without many calls directly to Skuzzy (considering you mentioned you don't know "squat").

and good luck