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Originally Posted by impilcature  I am currently in Iraq with the US Marine Corps so i don't have the ability to go to tech stores and get the latest word on new hardware from my friends and aquaintances back home. With the new quad core processors, new RAM and not to mention the graphics card technology progressing i don't know if i will be up to par enough to build my own rig when i get back to the states. I really am between a rock and a hard place. I am open to any suggestions and would like to hear your pros and cons on the matter! |
I am a IT professional, and have been building systems for over a decade. Its ALWAYS better to build, unless you want a laptop.
The only advantage of buying pre-built is convience. Pre-Built is neither cheaper nor better a preformer.
Even with the quality gamer Pc's like Alienware, voodoo, falcon northwest etc you are generally going to pay more then you would if you did it yourself. They are decent PCs, but you can do better penny-wise.
If you are short on time its easy, use the internet. There are lots of good Internet dealers, (Newegg for example) that offer reasonable prices and quick shipping.
I can give you a recommended shopping list of parts and technical info if you need help, please provide to me the following:
When you plan to buy (now, 3-6 months, etc)
$$$$$ Your Budget $$$$$.
The use of the PC (games, graphics, MS Office, etc).
Any accessories you need (monitor, printer, USB toaster etc).