New desktop build or buy

[skullman]

Tildeath is the way to go

[Ghastly]

In my opinion a player is always better off to get expert help to pick the right components for their gaming system, but do the assembly, setup, and software installation themselves. In building their gaming system themselves when "it happens" they are much better prepared to do something (constructive) to solve it.  Having said that, most of the magic is in knowing what parts to pick and how hard you can push them - and experience is invaluable. 

<S>

[Fulmar]

In my opinion a player is always better off to get expert help to pick the right components for their gaming system, but do the assembly, setup, and software installation themselves. In building their gaming system themselves when "it happens" they are much better prepared to do something (constructive) to solve it.  Having said that, most of the magic is in knowing what parts to pick and how hard you can push them - and experience is invaluable. 

<S>

A very big +1.  The experience and knowledge you gain from doing maintenance/building by yourself is like you said....invaluable.

[Ghosth]

Plus if you build it yourself, a year or 2 down the road its no big deal to do a full wipe, partition, reinstall of OS. Or even setup a dual boot with 2 OS's. Since you built it the first time, you have the drivers, you have the experience, you'll keep that system in better condition.

If you have more money than time, or are not willing to do the homework. Then have someone build to your specs.