Custom PC or Brand PC?

[ray]

I've been using the same custom built computer for about 5 years now. It's running an old Athlon CPU and i've had to replace my video card twice and my motherboard once since then.

Now i'm looking to upgrade my desktop computer, but can't decide if i want to go the "easy" route of buying a brand name computer like Dell or Lenovo and then upgrade certain components to hearts content (video card and RAM upgrades are certainties). This would probably cost me ~$500-$600 which may also include a monitor.

On the other hand, I was thinking about putting together another custom system with Triple channel RAM support, upgradeable motherboard up to 24GB, Intel Core i7 cpu, among other things. This system, however, is looking to be upwards of $1000 without a monitor.

I do have an LCD monitor that i can use with my new system, so it's not completely vital for me to have a new LCD. However, the LCD is only 17" and isn't widescreen. Part of me is tempted to get a 22+" widescreen.

Oh, i forgot to add, that i would be doing the following on my computer:

Video Games: Diablo III, Starcraft II, potentially returning to World of Warcraft

Photo Processing: Photoshop CS3, Photomatix Pro, Nikon Capture NX2, Nikon PictureProject

Video Processing: Adobe Premiere Pro CS3, ULead DVD Manager

What have all of you been doing with your desktop computers lately?

[kame]

I built your own, but that's cause I play alot of FPS that requires High end video card....

The stuff you put up you can get a nice dell.....

All depends how personal you want to make the desktop.

[attgig]

the current dell deal on the front page is great deal. tack on a great vid card and it should more than comfortably handle everything you need. if you look for a diff computer, make sure you stay away from the slim cases, and upgrading cards will be difficult.

[renovation]

I use to build custom machines for my personal use. now i just buy a dell and call it a day. by the time i update my custom rig except for ram . they have desided (MB.MAKERS)TO CHANGE THE TYPE OF SLOTS USED FOR ASST.CARDS OR PLUG USED FOR DRIVES. SO I NEEDING TO GO BACK TO SQUARE ONE ALL OVER AGAIN. AND EACH TIME ITS SEENS PREBUILT ARE CHEAPER AND COME WITH A OS OR OTHER SOFTWARE. PRELOADED THAT MAKES IT A MUCH BETTER BARGAIN THEN FOR ME TO BUILD A UNIT FROM SCRATCH. AND I HAVE A PERSON TO CALL AND BITCH AT IF IT DONT WORK RIGHT. IT SURE IS BETTER THEN THE HOURS OF HELL I GO THOUGH LOADING SOFTWARE ONLY TO FIND OUT I NEED A DRIVER OR IS NOT COMPATABLE AND I NEED TO FIGURE OUT A TWEEK TO MAKE IT RUN WITH NO ONE TO VENT AT BUT MYSELF.

[Devhux]

Before considering an i7 build, wait a few weeks. I have a feeling that the new Lynnfield (i5) CPUs are going to be amazing, and the current motherboard previews sure look interesting.

That said, I've always been a supporter of DIY builds. You can decide exactly what goes in the system, and you don't have to deal with the bloatware that prebuilt systems generally have. True, you can reformat the computer after you get it, but it's still annoying.

[Jeffbx]

I'm a big fan of the Dell Precision - get a stripped down T3400 from the Dell Outlet & add on all of your peripherals. It comes standard with a 3-year on site warranty, and you sure as heck can't get that when you roll your own.

[zippyjuan]

There is always some new chip due on the horizon. My Athlon XP system (some six years old) was finally replaced by a i7 system I built in December (when they first came out so I probably paid a premium) but intend for it to last me a long time. When you have a system for a while you probably need to replace everything anyways. I have built both of my systems (yes, those are the only two computers I have ever had) and have no experience with pre-built. Having built them I have also learned how to keep them working myself which means when something does go wrong, I can usually find a solution without waiting for somebody to come to the house or taking it in to a service center. Just my own experience.

[ray]

Thanks for the suggestions everybody! I decided to go the custom route so that I could pick and choose what went into my system. As much as I wanted to go the i7 route, i decided to spend less on that in anticipation of future hard drive purchases. So, i ended up getting:

AMD Phenom II X4 Deneb 3.0GHz
Gigabyte GA-MA770T Motherboard
8GB PC3 10666 RAM
GeForce 9600GT 1GB Video Card

Initially I'll run this computer on WinXP, and then when Windows 7 is released I plan on upgrading to that OS.

I have hard drives and a case that I will be using, so that saves me a bit of cash. I may have to upgrade my power supply, but other than that I look to have the new system up and running by the weekend.

[Devhux]

Take note with that amount of RAM, you'll need a 64-bit OS to utilize it. Also note that driver support for XP 64-bit isn't too good.

Other than that though, it seems like a fairly good build. The Phenom II processors are quite good from everything that I've been reading.

[ray]

Take note with that amount of RAM, you'll need a 64-bit OS to utilize it. Also note that driver support for XP 64-bit isn't too good.

Other than that though, it seems like a fairly good build. The Phenom II processors are quite good from everything that I've been reading.

I know i won't be getting full RAM support in WinXP. I'm just waiting 2 months for Windows 7 to come out so i can get the 64-bit version of that :)

[Airencracken]

Or just run Linux now. :D

[ray]

Or just run Linux now. :D

i tried the linux route years ago and didn't like it. though linux would probably be easier to maintain in the long run, i've got my system stripped so bare of programs in the first place that even windows works perfectly fine.

[Markel]

I know i won't be getting full RAM support in WinXP. I'm just waiting 2 months for Windows 7 to come out so i can get the 64-bit version of that :)
I've loaded the 64-bit RC of Windows 7 Ultimate on a couple of computers. I've also generated a half-dozen extra authorization codes just in case I want them. Those installs are good for a year, so why wait? :)