Build..

Have a look at the systems they have at Overclockers - They do pre built gaming rigs, but you can customise bits - or just buy a bare-bones system and add bits, or whatever you want.  So you kind of build your own system, but get someone who knows what they're doing to actually stick it all together, test it, and send it to you in a nice box...  all ready to play!  Their pre and post sales is excellent - and the prices are good too.

A while ago I would have said build every time - but looking at the deals they have there - I'm swinging the other way!

 

Have a look at the systems they have at Overclockers - They do pre built gaming rigs, but you can customise bits - or just buy a bare-bones system and add bits, or whatever you want.  So you kind of build your own system, but get someone who knows what they're doing to actually stick it all together, test it, and send it to you in a nice box...  all ready to play!  Their pre and post sales is excellent - and the prices are good too.

A while ago I would have said build every time - but looking at the deals they have there - I'm swinging the other way!

 

i'll look at that option too. cheers.

@jarkko  cheers mate. food for thought.

just a thought do any of you boys run a phsyx pci card also? 7 tastic runs one and reckons the effects are great.

Build !!

Just finally built a new one here, 1200$ without GFX card.

That includes keyboard, mouse, Antec 900 case, OCZ 700watt modular PSU, Asus PQ5C Mobo, 2.8 core2duo (E7400 i think), 2 X 1066DDR2 , 2 gig sticks, Razer Salmosa 1800 dpi optical mouse, Logitech G11 keyboard, 950 gigs of storage on 2 hitachi Sata HDD's, and one Lightscribe DVD burner/writer, and am playing on a (not included in price) 32" Plasma TV.

So far everybody agreed on building one and I have no different opinion this time

I certainly won't buy a physx card, there is almost no support for that in (popular) games, unless the situation has changed dramatically the last months (don't think so)

Just determine your budget and select the parts with some help from somebody who knows a bit more about buliding pc's.

 I bought mine. Seriously considered building one but was nervous about getting everything and it not working. Buying one "built" gave me peace of mind it would work. I didn't feel comfortable with a large outlay and then it not working. Now I'm also lucky enough to have a local place that ships fairly reasonably.

 I also have of course upgraded since... But that's much less intimidating then building a whole computer.

 I have however built a PC for my daughter since then and it worked perfectly. So far, ironically, it's the most reliable PC we have.
 I decided by that point that builduing was a good option as she already had a PC and nothing would be "down" whilst I troubleshooted etc if it came to that.

 So my answer would be, "depends on your comfort level".

 Build if you have the confidence to do so. It's not hard. Just a matter of matching components. All ya need is a case, PSU, Motherboard, RAM, GPU, sound card (optional), drives, fans etc.....and stick it all together. Usually motherboards come with enough instruction, it's quite simple if you pay attention.

 In the case of my daughters', it didn't quite fire up first time. UH OH!! No biggie. Went through everything step by step in the instructions and found I had forgotten to connect one connector to the motherboard. Put it in place and........BINGO!!

 I will say, it's quite satisfying the first time a PC YOU built fires up.

 Anyways. If you feel comfortable. DO IIT! if you're nervous in any way, order one and maybe the next one you can build yourself.


 I think basically, comfort level is the key.
 I know we all love to say "I built it" but my PC Hector was bought and though I've torn the crap outa him since, I'm quite happy with my decision. It does what it's supposed to do and that's what counts.

 I don't know their rep, but found this place recently whilst dreaming of moving to the U.K. This page.
 i know the place I deal with has the same kinda thing. You can piece together a PC online. I did just for fun and um, ended up ay like $12 000 hahahaaaa. Though admittedly almost $8000 of that was for monitors.

Anyways. You can piece together at many levels. Maybe even set a budget and post a link here and ask a more knowledgeable SJ'r to see what they could do o that budget. I mean Graphics cards and stuff is easy enough but when it cvomes to processers, motherboards etc, I'm lost...

Oi Dunki.... you forgot one option:




NICK ONE!




Woof ~ Woof

as some of the boys seem to have decent systems, prebuilt, just waiting to get swiped 

i have never ever bought a PC...been building them since DX2/66 days or upgrading should i say....my PC is constantly evolving...when i have the money that is 

BUILD, BUILD or even BUILD