Building own pc versus buying a workstation...what is better soluction?

[The4thAggie]

Each has its own advantage. OEMs like Dell and Lenovo will jack the price up on RAM and CPUS and Hard Drives. Going solo allows you to adjust a workstations parts list to fit your price and exact configuration needs, but you sacrifice the support and compatibility a workstation needs from an OEM.

Personally, if I was going to invest $4k+ on a workstation, it would be with a reputable OEM and a 3-year onsite warranty. They aren't that more expensive, and I love the Thinkstation's case.

[ThomasTheToolman]

What are the differences?

For OEM Workstations you get a better support for only one part and by just one manufacturer. Otherwise you get support as well when building your own machine, but it isn´t that comfy. You don´t have to care about anything, because they build it for you, saves time and headache. OK, OEMs are a bit more expansive, but you will support the economic system as well if buying one.

Points to think about? What is your flavor?

[olson]

Is their a big difference in price and quality?


Yes, there are big differences. Building yourself will cost less for the same performance but won't have any support in the traditional sense of calling a toll free number to make it someone else's problem. Buying from a builder will have "support" on some level to take care of most problems but depending on the vendor this can be very time consuming and frustrating plus you pay a hefty premium for the support.

If someone else is paying then I'm cool with working on a system like Boxx, Dell, whatever because if it fails its not on my shoulders. If its my money then I'll build my own system and always have, probably always will. When problems arise (note that's when and not if) I find its easier to troubleshoot a system I've built versus a system from a builder. For example if the system won't start and no lights come on I can plug in another power supply off the shelf and see if that's the problem. Any problem can typically be fixed in an afternoon if you have parts available like from a Fry's or other computer store.

If its a Dell you'll void the warranty by even unplugging anything or unscrewing anything so you have no choice but to send it to Dell. That'll take two or three weeks and cost more to ship than if you just bought another power supply from a local store and it would take longer too. Assuming you're lucky enough to have premium support that will come to you, they send an idiot that'll call a toll free number and go through the exact same steps you would have only its their time instead of yours getting wasted. Very rarely will the large system builders be able to fix real problems on location.

Of course every builder will have different support (some better, some worse) and some failures are more complex than a power supply. Its also worth mentioning that most component level support if you build yourself is pretty good. Seagate, Samsung, PC Power & Cooling, Asus, and so on all have great support if you buy their components. Most components have a longer warranty than builders too, many Seagate drives are 5 year warranty, PC Power & Cooling power supplies are mostly 7 year warranty, most memory is lifetime warranty.

I can't say what's best for you but that's my opinion on the matter. Good luck with whatever you end up buying. Cheers!

[ThomasTheToolman]

Buying from a builder will have "support" on some level to take care of most problems but depending on the vendor this can be very time consuming and frustrating plus you pay a hefty premium for the support.

The same you can say for OEMs, some OEM vendors can be very time consuming as well.
If I buy quality hardware, in my experience I never had any technical problems.
Since most hardware is made to operate 24/7 through, there is actually no need for technical support. To have a free of charge support Hotline or a good friend he knows about computer stuff might be a very comfy solution in some situations.

But most of the time nobody will need support for a PC if he/she treat it carefull.
Did anybody ever needed support for his/her coffee maker? I didn´t.

[ThomasTheToolman]

>>>Misunderstanding<<<

--

Since most hardware is made to operate 24/7 through, there is actually no need for technical support. To have a free of charge support Hotline or a good friend he knows about computer stuff might be a very comfy solution in some situations.

But most of the time nobody will need support for a PC if he/she treat it carefull.
Did anybody ever needed support for his/her coffee maker? I didn´t.[/QUOTE]

[olson]

>>>Misunderstanding<<<

--

Since most hardware is made to operate 24/7 through, there is actually no need for technical support. To have a free of charge support Hotline or a good friend he knows about computer stuff might be a very comfy solution in some situations.

But most of the time nobody will need support for a PC if he/she treat it carefull.
Did anybody ever needed support for his/her coffee maker? I didn´t.[/QUOTE]

I don't follow, what do you mean?

[grantmoore3d]

Do you know what you're doing when building and troubleshooting a computer? Do you enjoy, and even have fun, while building/troubleshooting? YES = build, NO = buy.

The above comments all have valid points to consider as well, but honestly if you don't know what you're doing or have little desire to learn, then it's just going to end up being a big pain. I personally love putting them together (it's like Christmas to me), so that's the main reason I build my own.

[Vilandra]

Building your own machine is always nice. You can put together whatever you want, and it will usually end up being cheaper than buying a prebuilt (OEM) machine. However if something breaks, fails, or starts shooting flames, then you are stuck paying for a new part, unless the part has some type of warranty on it.

Buying a OEM machine means that you're going to pay a little extra, but that extra $$$ gets you tech support, a prebuilt machine ready to go, (which means you dont have to buy parts and assemble it yourself), and if something fails, assuming its got a good warranty on it, then you're covered.

Ive gone both ways on this, and either choice can result in a good machine. Right now im using Boxx. They have great tech support, and ive been running their machine now for a year. I did have one problem with it a few months back that required me to ship it back to them for repair, but within a week, I had it back and it was running. If I would have built the machine myself, I would have had too fork out close to $3k for two new CPU's.

Hope that helps.

[Szos]

Now a days it is hogwash that building your own is much cheaper (if at all) than buying a pre-built.

It used to be that you could save a ton of money by putting it together yourself. I remember going to local computer fairs or buying parts online and saving a mess load of money. For the most part though, I simply do not see it that way anymore as long as you shop around for good deals. I think the only real advantage today when building your own is that you can customize it any which way you want if you build it yourself.

[olson]

Now a days it is hogwash that building your own is much cheaper (if at all) than buying a pre-built.

Only if you shop at Best Buy where they want $45 for a case fan and $150 for 2GB of memory. If you buy through sellers like Newegg, Directron, and the like it can save hundreds (or thousands) compared to a system from a builder like Dell, HP, etc. Its not rocket science that a built system with support will cost more than the parts alone because you have to pay for those services (otherwise they wouldn't be in business!).

As others have said building your own is not for everyone, but its definately less expensive to build your own system. :deal:

[CKPinson]

Building your own machine is always nice. You can put together whatever you want, and it will usually end up being cheaper than buying a prebuilt (OEM) machine. However if something breaks, fails, or starts shooting flames, then you are stuck paying for a new part, unless the part has some type of warranty on it.

If a part fails then the first thing you should do is check to see if it's within the seller's return policy and if it is not then the next step would be to RMA it to the Manufacturer (which is why it's a good idea to online register your items) and typically you pay to ship the part to them and they send a new back----much cheaper than sending the WHOLE PC to be repaired and cheaper than buyin a new part.
I say YES to building as long as you appreciate the value of your hard earned dollar and have the time/ability to build! Plus, if you've never built a PC before it's a GREAT learning experience, especially in a day and age where PCs are used for everything!

[plug3]

If a part fails then the first thing you should do is check to see if it's within the seller's return policy and if it is not then the next step would be to RMA it to the Manufacturer (which is why it's a good idea to online register your items) and typically you pay to ship the part to them and they send a new back----much cheaper than sending the WHOLE PC to be repaired and cheaper than buyin a new part.
I say YES to building as long as you appreciate the value of your hard earned dollar and have the time/ability to build! Plus, if you've never built a PC before it's a GREAT learning experience, especially in a day and age where PCs are used for everything!

I want to add my own experience. You need to be able to identify the part that fails and that can be tricky if you don't have another computer to test things (RAM, power supply, mother board, etc.)

[ThomasTheToolman]

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