Buy vs build

[woosmaster]

I have been researching buy vs. build...

I don't have much money to spend (I'm a poor college student) but am wondering if I do buy a prebuilt computer (HP or dell or something similar), can I upgrade all parts at a later time? For example, can I just take out video card and put in a better one, then a few months later upgrade the RAM and so on and so forth? How customizable is a prebuilt pc?

What I'm saying is, I would like a PC but cannot afford to spend more than $500 or so, but is it worth it to buy cheap and upgrade later or just wait to build it myself?

[Ajmukon]

BUY.. if you want simple Internet computer that is >=1000

Build... if you want a mean gaming machine for over >1500

1000-1500 is "either way" depending on what kind you buy

[woosmaster]

Right, I do want a gaming machine, but I can't afford it right now (so an 'internet' computer will do for now)...is it possible to fully upgrade/customize a prebuilt machine? Can I buy cheap now and eventually turn it into a great computer or should i save up and get it all together later?

[jlreich]

You can upgrade the ram, the hard drive, and probably the video card (means upgrading the PSU as well). But look over the specs carefully and make sure of things like max ram, does it have a PCIe x16 slot, PSU specs etc....

The most limiting factors in an OEM machine are poor cooling, low wattage power supply that can only take so many upgrades, very small case that may not fit the video card you want to put in it. Coupled together with a proprietary motherboard and a few proprietary connections and you are limited.

I say, if you can, wait until your budget is better. ;)

Or if you decide to get a cheap computer now accept it for what it is and use it for what it is. Then start saving for a gaming machine.

[woosmaster]

what if i were willing to shell out for a dell xps? I'm assuming that is a good case w/ good cooling, etc. and can be upgraded. Am I correct that if I get a good computer now, it will be less of a hassle to upgrade later?

[jlreich]

Other than possibly better cooling all of the above applies. Actually there are some XPS systems that have a power supply that is the entire bottom of the system and you will not be able to upgrade it without getting it from Dell and at a very high cost I am sure.

The words upgrade and OEM system do not go together. OEM's don't want you to upgrade. They want you to buy a new system. ;)

Why would they want to make a system that you can upgrade to the point it might last you five years? Heck, you might even learn enough while upgrading to be able to build it yourself, find out that $200 stick of ram really only cost $100 and say screw them! :p

[Ajmukon]

the only XPS that is truly upgradeable... the 720

1000W PSU, 2x PCIe x16 (able to fit dual NVIDIA GPUs)
up to 8GB RAM (i think- 4 at least), INTEL QUAD CORE EXTREME OVER-CLOCKED

but.. it comes at a premium.. $2000+

http://configure.us.dell.com/dellstore/config.aspx?c=us&cs=19&l=en&oc=DXCWZH4&s=dhs

[52vincent]

Well if you don't have good budget it is better for you build one, but you don't want to build you can go to dell, they have some reasonable priced pc.