[tech] building desk tops

[playa_with_a_passport]

I have been building my own desktops since the late 90's. I don't even brother anymore unless I need something that needs a lot cpu horse power like running CCTV IP cam sever or running my own cable head end.

My main PC is like 6+ years old. I swapped it with an SSD drive and it runs like new.

EBay has a ton of used netbooks for less than $200 that are more than adequate for 1080p youtube and most casual computer use. The best part is that they come preloaded with genuine copy windows 7(trust me windows from pirate sources are a mix bag ) Just make sure its not an Atom processor.

Plug in a desktop keyboard, mouse and monitor, close the laptop lid and you are ,good to go.

 

[SVK]

I have built all of my desktop PCs since mid 90s, but I wouldn't bother doing it now. Especially if it is not a gaming machine. Just buy a decent laptop for $400-$500 (less for a used one), pick up a monitor and a keyboard and you have best of both worlds.

 

[AntiTrace]

anyone recommend a middle range price ($800ish) desktop that can be upgraded easily?

Would mainly be used for basic photo editing and computer programming, not really any gaming but would like at least a mid-range graphics card (something powerful anyone to run three separate monitors for programming).

 

[Meadowlark]

DIY was worth it back when I lived near Fry's and could buy $50 mobo/CPU combos. Not anymore, with the major manufacturer's outlet you can get steals on pre-built computers and laptops.

 

[lycosidae]

I don't think so...
Building your own computer was a big thing in the 90s (my first computer was self-built), but the prices have gone down so much on desktops its not worth the effort. If you factor in time and shipping costs of the separate components (particularly the case), there isn't much of a difference, it might even be more expensive to build your own...

Add to this the hassle of having to send back parts... motherboards and graphics cards often don't work out of the box, and you have to send them back. It's happened to me many times.

It's fun to build a computer, but don't do it to save cash... especially since you're looking at the low end of specs where you can find something decent for less than 400...

For the typical non-gamer, is it cheaper to build your own? watching 1080 video on YouTube with a couple chrome Windows open.

I've been tracking the typical Dell/hp/Lenovo desktop and trying to match the performance on pc part picker, and building it myself invariably more than buying some corporate joint. Especially when you throw in Windows

WIA