Is it cheaper to build a computer from scratch rather than buying the one you want?
813914
Built my first computer,about as hard as a snap together model I used to build when I was little. Biggest worry, static electricity.\nSure, there are some cheap computers out there. But once you get what you want added on, you'll be surprised at how high that price will go. Not only that but upgrading certain things will be impossible or just a downright pain in the butt. \nIf you're looking for the minimum, just buy one. If you're looking to for something a little nicer with some goodies and may want to upgrade or add on as you go, build it yourself.\nAlso, if you have the time, check some of the deal websites out there, they can make things MUCH cheaper with rebates and sales for certain items. An example...you might find a hard drive you want for $80, but catch the deal and you might get a $40-$60 rebate. slickdeals.net is a favorite of mine.
118552
No.  Although if you're just looking for something cheap, wait till your school upgrades.  They'll have old enough systems they aren't good for much else and usually wind up throwing them away.\n\nFor components, www.newegg.com is hard to beat.  You can also watch www.dealnews.com and www.slickdeals.net and piece a system together.  Major problem with buying parts from multiple vendors is when you have a problem, very hard to figure out how and who to resolve it with.
455327
Computers consist of many components, each of which is constantly being updated every 2-12 months.  Because of this, there is no way to specify what the latest model is right now, unless you specify the latest model of everything individually.  Even if you did that, not all of the individually newest parts can work together, for instance the newest and best ram may not work in the newest and best motherboard.  I would recommend going to dell or emachines and asking someone there what models they offer that could do what you need it to do.  Quite frankly the most powerful machines out there are way too overpowered and WAY too overpriced for 99.999% of people, so just find something that will do what you want, and you'll be happy.
458194
I would build my own.\n\nIn response to nolimit's answer below - depending on who you buy from it's actually to your advantage to be able to build your own because each part has it's own warranty.  If something screws up, you replace only that particular piece of hardware.  Whereas with most prebuilt systems, if you even touch the motherboard it voids your warranty.
684366
Something like the $100 laptop project? Well Bill Gates didn't like it, probably because it does not generate money for him XD\n\n\nI think manefacturing inexpensive PC is not something impossible, technology in Computers World get cheaper every 6 months, we can use a sempron package with 256mb of ram and the cheapest HD available (20GB?)  and get a free OS (Linux) and free office suite ( OpenOffice ) and that's that!
932069
Well I would say go for it but if you are fairly ne this is what you might try. The biggest problem is with the motherboard and CPU that most new builders have. so I would suggest this\nGet a bare bones system this is just a case and powersupply with the motherboard/CPU installed  you decide on what memory video card operating sys. etc. then install those yourself. \nthis method is only slightly more expensive and avoids the major pitfalls but still lets you build your own system\nas for sites for buying hardware and software I would suggest you look at WWW.Pricewatch.com
965183
You can build a better machine yourself. Buy an issue of Maximum PC and you can see all of the parts used to do this.
311257
First, I am assuming that by "computers", you mean a relatively new (after 2000) home computer... and that by "America", you are referring to the USA.\n\nThat is like asking... "where can I buy a car without any foreign parts?"... you can't!... but seriously, if you want anything that is 100% American made, you pretty much have to build it yourself (from scratch)... even if you were to buy a computer that is "made in the USA", its components, such as transistors, capacitors, resistors, ect... (probably most of them) are almost certainly foreign... so really, they are only assembled in the US (as is sadly the case with most "made in the USA" labeled products)... and even if you were to find one that was truly made in the USA, there's a near certainty that a good portion of its design was done overseas... and even if you were find one that was made, and designed in the USA... you would be hard pressed to find (any) "brand name" software (including the operating system) that was 100% coded in the USA... and (yet another exemption), assuming everything I mentioned above was done in America, you would have great difficulty to find one that wasn't at some point shipped, assembled, sold, or anything else by an illegal alien...\n\nIf someone told me to find such a computer, or be shot, I would probably take the second offer, rather than search my entire life for something that probably doesn't exist.\n\nIf you want ane american made home computer, go to a museum.
470211
DO NOT buy the 400 dollar bargain machines!!!!!!!!!\n\nI do in-home technical support and too often the clients that purchase these machines complain that they run just like the old one in about 6 months.  The bargain PC's are great if you know how to upgrade the machine yourself and plan on doing so later.  If you dont know how to work on a PC then do yourself the favor of shelling out another 300 dollars to get the next model up.\n\nDual Channel is a Memory technology.  If you dont plan on gaming or doing any high powered video editing, you dont really need it.\n\nlook for the following:\n\nprocessor: 2.5GHz Pentium 4 and up, OR 2.0 GHz AMD Athlon and up.  You will not notice a difference between AMD and Intel processors.  They will function exactly the same. Typically, AMD processor machines are 20-50 dollars cheaper (or the same price with more bells and whistles) than a comparable Pentium machine.\n\nRAM (Memory): AT LEAST 512MB... try for higher if possible.\n\nHard Drive (storage space):  80GB and up.\n\nVideo Card: any video card made by intel is total junk!  If the machine advertises an intergrated intel video processor take it with a grain of salt.  integrated video processors use the computer's RAM which saps performance from your machine.  Try to find a PC with an Nvidia or ATI video card of some kind.  Most people will tell you that if you dont game this isnt necessary... Im telling you that youll sacrifice a bit of speed.  Remember, you can always install an Nvidia or ATI card later on fairly cheap and easy.\n\nCD/DVD burner:  standard these days.  most computers will come with them.  Just make sure that if you want to COPY CD's and DVD's that you have CD/DVD BURNER and a DVD READER drive.
423759
In an age when building your own computer is more expensive than going out to buy one, building a server will be even more expensive.\n\nIf you're not computer savvy, I would recommend going with the 20 bucks a year deal. It isn't that expensive.\n\nHowever, if you still wish to persist in building a server, keep in mind this takes time and dedication. Visit this site for instructions: http://www.pcmech.com/byos/
854585
The systems on those websites are way too expensive.  \n\nAsk a friend for a good custom configuration, buy the parts at www.pricewatch.com, and assemble it yourself.\n\nYou can save at least 30%.
723711
The very first thing you do is sit down and write a list of all the things you want to do on the computer. Then go over the list and edit out all the things you put on the list that you know YOU'RE NOT REALLY GOING TO DO!\n\nThen go to a responsable computer store and talk (not buying anything yet) to someone there and get an idea of what's available in your price range. Then go online and see what online stores and manufactures are offering........Ask questions. The one piece of advice I always give is to only buy a computer that has some flexablity for upgrading in the future. (extra slots for cards etc)
20972
Unfortunately this computer is so old, that even the case itself and power supply will not be compatible with new parts.\n\nAlso, it will be cheaper to buy a new computer.  If you don't need lots of tech support, then get a computer cheaply from http://www.pricewatch.com \n\nThere are lots of system builders out there that will sell you a basic computer with Windows XP Home or Pro for a pretty reasonable price.\n\nWhen getting a new computer:  Pay a little more (not too much more)  and get one with 512MB RAM, SATA Harddrive  (It will say SATA...if it doesn't say Serial ATA or SATA, then it isn't SATA).\n\nIf you aren't going to use it for games, then you don't really have to worry much about the video card.
23625
A newbie to computers, go for branded. \nYou have tech support to blame for if something goes wrong.\n\nA clone PC if you are a computer major or have already disassembled a branded one.\n\nWith clone you do not expect much of a tech support, (the support, that is already terrible with branded ones)\n\nbottom line is If you can tinker with, look for help on internet to make your computer work in case things go wrong you can go for Clone. else stick to braded.\n\nIts your call!
725626
Are you planning on building it yourself?  Or are you buying a factory built one from a reseller/retail?  I suggest, at the very least, 1gb of RAM.  Simply because, it means you won't be limited to being able to run only a few high demand processes at once.  Also, consider no less than a 2.4Ghz processor (I suggest that if you are going to be buying this computer for real media use, get a 3.2 Ghz processor).  Make sure that you grab a graphics card with 256mb RAM (simply because if you watch dvds and tv, you'll want good quality).  Make sure your graphics card has a TV-in/out plug so that you can hook it to your tv or plug in your cable/satellite to it.  Other than that, it's up to you.  Although, I suggest you buy one with PCI-e slots instead of regular PCI since recent hardware has been made for PCI-e slots.  (and it's much faster)
148955
Hi erik\nI tried this feat about a year ago and so far it has turned out spactaculer. Except for the fact that I bought a cheap motherboard and have to buy a new one.\n\nThe way I started was by downloading and printing out one of the booklets online.\n\nLet me just look for one now...\n\nhttp://www.tomshardware.com/2002/09/04/building_your_own_pc/\n\nthis site looks detailed and plenty of pictures, pictures are the key\n\nIt took nearly 3 months for me to complete it\nand installed the box last (cause the box I had was not the right shape) for about a month I was running with the power box outside the main box which was tricky. \n\nWhen it is complete though it is one of the most satisfying things and you learn so much. Just a side note you must know how to format and must have practise. You probably know that though.\n\nBiulding my computer is one of my best accomplishments and earned me a place to skip 3 grades to computer technology 12\n\nas for no lag you will need a faster internet connection which you have to pay quite a bit for\n\nAs for the cheapest setup\n\nI went pretty cheap first which I later found was a mistake. Pay cheap but get the custimizable motherboard. Dont make the mistake I did and get the one where they will stop making proccessors for in 2 months time. Also I found that I ripped out all the ram from my other computers and loaded this one with it providing me with 1.5 gigs of ram and 3 extra big hard drives. So interchangabilty is key. I got the case and videocard over christmas but I know they were fairly cheap and the video card (Geforce 5500) has allowed me to play tons of games.
802625
sure ... they are available at most PC parts stores ... and depending on where in the world you are ..they are not expensive \nAustralia about $25.00