Computah

[slimfandango]

Build or buy?

[magicdice]

build it! much more fun, if you're that way inclined.

[yorks2510]

following on from magicdice, I would say build it too - it will work out slightly more expensive, but you will know exactly what is in your system, which makes it much easier to diagnose any problems in future. Actually building a machine is not as difficult as it used to be (speaking with 15 years experience of building PCs...) - as long as reasonable care is taken to get rid of any residual static in your body, and you're careful where you touch components, etc., and read the instructions on installing your motherboard, CPU and heatsink, etc.

Hope this helps

[stevie21]

I'd have thought building it would be cheaper given that you don't need to buy and install (i.e. pay for) components and software that you don't need.

[Goofy]

the daily telegraph gives advice on this in its bootarc (can't remember when - about 3 months ago)
try
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/connected/

[rojash]

I'd say if you can't even spell it, you don't have much hope of building it

[yorks2510]

The reason I said that it would be slightly more expensive is from my experience, the ready-built ones usually "cut corners" to get below a certain price. They also have the power of bulk-buying to bring down costs. I prefer the machines I build to use branded equipment, which can work out slightly more expensive - however, buying online from somewhere like eBuyer can reduce this - although on the flip side of that, if you buy all the components in one fell swoop from a small computer retailer, then they can usually be talked into doing a deal for the whole bundle. Just my two pennorth... heh.

The same bulk buying argument goes for the software - if you go for the legitimate approach (ahem), then installing Windows XP and so on can add a large chunk to the build costs. Of course, there is always Linux, but unfortunately, it is usually left for the user base to write drivers for cutting-edge hardware (although the situation has improved over the past couple of years, and more and more manufacturers are building linux drivers) - but of course, it has the advantage of being free to download and install...

[spikeybob]

build your own you can pick what you want use your old stuff and its a lot easier than you think things can only plug in 1 way

[KebabMeister]

Build.

You can choose exactly what you want  inside so you can make it as cheap/expensive as you like.  If you go for the best parts then it works out cheaper because you won't have to upgrade it as much (instead you'll only be replacing 1 or 2 items when it gets out of date rather than the whole machine).

[Mattk]

if u buy the best you will pay the most !

personally i never buy top spec stuff,i always buy near top spec.they tend to ramp up the prices considerably for top notch stuff