Should I get packaged or self made computer?

[grace.lee]

I need the following:
Intel CPU
Monitor screen
Casing
Motherboard
Mouse and keyboard
Graphics?

Cheaper to get someone to do it from me or buy from dell, hp? I have a budget of $3,000 only...

 

[Elijahonli]

self made AKA DIY.

 

[MoneyFace =p]

When you ask here its gonna be DIY....

 

[delson_tan]

Depends on how much you're willing to troubleshoot yourself when your PC runs into problem. Otherwise, pay for a reliable customer service support.

 

[MoneyFace =p]

$3K can get you one hell of a difference from branded ones...

CPU+MB: Intel Core i5-4690 + ASRock B85 Fatal1ty Killer @ $363
RAM: G.Skill RipJaws-X DDR3-1866 CL10 8GB Dual Channel Kit [Red] @ $115
GPU: Gigabyte R9-290 4GB WindForce OC @ $619
SSD: Crucial M500 240GB @ $175
HDD: Western Digital Blue 1TB @ $72
ODD: Lite-On 24X CD/DVD Writer [Retail] @ $24
PSU: Super Flower Golden Green HX 600W [80 Plus Gold] @ $108
CASE: Corsair Obsidian 450D @ $165
OS: Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit [OEM] @ $110
DSP: Dell S2340L 23" LED [eIPS] @ $219
SPK: Hivi Swans M50w [2.1] @ $309
KB: Filco Majestouch 2 [Mechanical] @ $179
MS: Logitech G700s Gaming Mouse @ $135
PAD: SteelSeries 9HD Large Professional Gaming Mouse Pad @ $99

Total: $2692

Price references from SLS. Buy from reputable 3rd-party system builders such as Fortran.

Assembly and delivery comes at an additional fee.

Troubleshoot and reparation support should also comes at a small fee as well.

 

[ykgoh]

TS can share what you intend to do with it?

And whether you're technically-inclined and willing to take apart a PC if needed?

 

[royfrosty]

$3000 is really a lot for DIY. And you can build a high end rig with that money and can last a few gens of gaming.

Example of $3k rig

MSI Z97 Gaming 5 + i5-4670k ~ $547
Gskills Ripjaws 1866mhz 2x4gb kit ~ $115
WD Black 1tb ~ $106
Crucial m500 240gb ~ $185
MSI R9 290 4gb Twin Frozr ~ $605 (T258JN)
Superflower HX600 600w 80+ Gold Semi Modular PSU ~ $108
Corsair Obsidian 450D ~ $169
Samsung DVD Drive ~ $21
Windows 8.1 OEM ~ $115
Corsair H100i Cooler ~ $147
Dell U2414H 23.8inch eIPS panel ~ $367
Steelseries Kinzu Gaming Mouse ~ $10 (Promo bundle with MSI Gaming 5 board)
CM Storm Quickfire TK Red/Blue or Brown Switches Fully backlit LED mechanical keyboard ~ $139 (Cybermind)
Swans M10 2.1 Speakers ~ $108 (Cybermind or PC Themes)

Total ~ $2742. Buy at tradepac (unless stated), DIY

Words in bold, an OEM PC may never give you with this kind of budget.

The down side of DIY is whether are you willing to go thru the hassle if there is a fault in the PC? Will you be able to troubleshoot your PC and detect where is the fault and able to find time to travel down to the service centre to get it replaced?

 

[dawnknight]

TS if u have time go to this guy's shop

http://forums.hardwarezone.com.sg/h...corner-all-diy-hardwarezoner-^-^-3581022.html

he will provide all the good advice in person, and probably giv u a good discount

 

[Maeda_Toshiie]

In the first place, what is TS's usage pattern? What's the point of spending even $2000 if the system is going to be used for Facebook games and MS Office? I see a whole bunch of gaming peripherals, which frankly, most users won't be able to tell and appreciate the difference from $20 Logitechs. Mech keyboards are not for everyone; some people may actually prefer rubber domes to mechs (even for reds).