I don't know if it makes sense for the average user to build their own system these days. 5 years ago it made sense, as you could build a custom system with better parts then a packaged system at the equivalent price. Now prices as a whole have come down so much that it isn't really worth the hassle of assembling your own system (epically when you factor in the free OS/software and warranty/phone support that come with packaged systems.) And now more than ever you have tablets and mobile phones offsetting PC use – save yourself the time, find a system for $500-100 from a reputable retailer/manufacturer and be done with it.

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Originally posted by Atho I don't know if it makes sense for the average user to build their own system these days. 5 years ago it made sense, as you could build a custom system with better parts then a packaged system at the equivalent price. Now prices as a whole have come down so much that it isn't really worth the hassle of assembling your own system (epically when you factor in the free OS/software and warranty/phone support that come with packaged systems.) And now more than ever you have tablets and mobile phones offsetting PC use – save yourself the time, find a system for $500-100 from a reputable retailer/manufacturer and be done with it.

Id argue that the problem with premade systems is that they often skimp on components that the average user doesnt think about. Usually this is the psu or hard drive. Even nowadays, modern cheap systems come with shitty psu's and in the worst case, 5600rpm hard drives which are antiquated. If only for peace of mind, id say its worthwhile building your own, especially if its going to be your workhorse.

Big manufacturers (Future shop brands etc.) generally lock the bios limiting upgrade potential as well. Also, small upgrades such as buying aftermarket ram will void entire system warranties etc. Not to mention the dreadful software suites that come preinstalled.

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Originally posted by chinamon now im a mac guy.

Don't you have a hackintosh?

my biggest gripes with pre-made systems is that the parts are often custom and not user replaceable with stuff you can buy readily. It forces you to buy from the manufacturer at ridiculous prices.

For example, compaq used to use custom PSU sizes.. so you had to use their replacement.

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Originally posted by Orko If you do, be kind and don't expect free service. I've learned that from years of building systems for people. They always want free service, support. So now, I just send them to Canada computers.

AMEN!!

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It's probably the worst company. Avoid at all costs.

Saw this on Reddit.

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[–]HighBeamHater 34 points 2 hours ago* I worked for MDG computers. That place is the fucking devil. They will charge you $50 for an "upgrade to a black computer" (this was back when computers were mainly white, and black was cool)... BUT WAIT... the trick is, EVERY computer is black... so you are essentially paying a pointless upsale fee. They will charge you $0.85/day FOREVER if they have their way. Technically it takes something like 15 years to pay off $2,000 at less than $1/day and 40% interest but they will get you to avoid that question as best as possible on the phone. The managers literally told me once "if the buyer asks about why we charge $299 shipping, ask them what province they are calling from, and just say we are located a few provinces over and that computers are heavy." We operated out of the GTA. 90% of our customers were from the GTA. We charged $300 shipping and explicitly lied to everybody. To ship a 10kg box via Canada Post ANYWHERE IN CANADA would never cost more than $75. And that's if you splurged for the overnight/express shipping option. One guy got fired because he charged some old lady like $10,000 when she only agreed to pay $3,000... and then lied to management about it. That place is fucking scum. Pretty sure I was fired for not making the required number of cold calls that they asked me to do (which was not a requirement of the job!). They only advertise via infomercials and "poor people" newspapers. They target the bottom of the barrel idiots basically who think they can afford their shitty computers. They would offer you a "free digital camera" with your computer purchase. It was 0.1 megapixels and cost maybe $3 on ebay at the time. Hardly a "digital camera" in most peoples minds. Oh, and they only ever hired student workers/part time workers so they never have to pay benefits/any of that shit. Seriously, fuck MDG. I am truly upset that steve nash (greatest NBA player, ever) is their spokeman.

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quote:

Originally posted by spiderpig Don't you have a hackintosh?

i ended up installing windows7 on that box and using it as my media centre then got myself a mac mini.

the hackintosh was great (then challenge was quite fun) but constantly being aware of software updates was a pain in the ass.

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people still build computers?

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Originally posted by StereoPrincess people still use computers?

fixed

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I have a friend building a new computer for me which is gonna be a beast upgrade to my macbook pro but not as big as the previous one he built me 2 years ago.

I'm just happy to get another PC to take care of all my 3D modeling and rendering. I'm hoping the parts are all good in the end cause I got no one to go back to if they fail lol. But the last one has done my brother well for gaming.