Building a Computer vs Buying One

[captain blue]

 Should I build a new computer using these parts:



Or should I just purchase this computer?:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16883229254

Keep in mind that if I purchase the computer I get Windows 7 with it, while if I build the computer, I'll have to purchase windows 7 (+$100) or stick with Windows XP

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[Starcraftman]

That power supply is overkill unless you plan to upgrade. You could easily do with a $50 or less power supply and be fine with that build.

[Wehrmacht]

I built my computer with my dad. We selected the parts that would work best for what I am doing, and we got some pretty high-end parts, but not the best of the best, because we didn't need that. My computer works very well, but I need to buy some fans. These things generate a lot of heat, I suggest at least 2 fans if you don't already have one installed.

[Miga]

That power supply is overkill unless you plan to upgrade. You could easily do with a $50 or less power supply and be fine with that build.

It's because the power supply's an "Enthusiast series" PSU. Here's one for ~$60, which should be more than enough for that build.

Corsair Builder Series 500w v2

[Bisjac]

That power supply is overkill unless you plan to upgrade. You could easily do with a $50 or less power supply and be fine with that build.

can never have to much power!!!!!!
unless its a budget issue, then you totally can have to much.

[HellHound]

Building a computer costs less, but is more frustrating, buying one costs more, but is less frustrating.
I think you should build one.

[Righteous One]

Buy an AM3 motherboard. There is no reason to use DDR2 RAM when DDR3 is faster and cheaper. For $100 you could probably get a much better graphics card considering that the processor you chose is actually pretty decent.

If you can spare to make your budget $500 you could get an overall  much better system.

For $50 this case offers very good cooling performance - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811147144

This motherboard has all of the features that will help with future-proofing including sata 6 and USB 3.0
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813138318

You'll need a new RAM kit with that motherboard so I would recommend getting this
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820161279

This processor is faster than the one you chose but oddly enough it's cheaper (even more-so if you include the promo code)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103808

This PSU is pretty decent so long as you don't overload it (you would have to add alot of stuff to overload it)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817152028&Tpk=raidmax%20530ss

This is the best graphics card you can get for your price range. It doesn't have DX11 support but any card around $100 won't even be able to run dx11 games decently. This thing is still a decent performer and will be able to play most games on around high settings depending on your resolution.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814150482&Tpk=hd%204850

[tails]

I would actually just buy one. Atleast then it's made by a professional and not an idiot.

[Sirrus]

I would actually just buy one. Atleast then it's made by a professional and not an idiot.

I built my computer and I've had only the most minor problems with. Less problems, actually, then computers built by companies.

[Tokerovin]

I built my computer and I've had only the most minor problems with. Less problems, actually, then computers built by companies.

QFT

[steve5451]

I have the same processor.
I recommend getting the 3.2, this thing is kind of a bottleneck.

[steve5451]

This is the best graphics card you can get for your price range. It doesn't have DX11 support but any card around $100 won't even be able to run dx11 games decently. This thing is still a decent performer and will be able to play most games on around high settings depending on your resolution.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814150482&Tpk=hd%204850

I have this card, it can run Crysis maxed out at about 20-30 fps.
For $10 more you can get the 5830 (Which I should of got :S), which is pretty much the same as the 4850, but with Direct X 11 support and a little bit better performance.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102878&cm_re=5830-_-14-102-878-_-Product
It's currently out of stock, though.