Is it even possible to build a desktop cheaper than buying one?

richlevy · 11-30-2008, 10:16 AM

I was considering building an inexpensive desktop. I want to do it mostly for hobby purposes. Still, I was hoping to have it be at least the same price as one I could buy.

Last year I picked up a mid-tower case on sale for something like $20. I also picked up a power supply on sale cheap.

However, looking at how cheap desktops are, and the thin margins that manufacturers make on them, is it possible to build a desktop for the same price or less than a new one? Especially considering sales and rebates?

I still need an ATX motherboard & CPU, memory, and a hard drive. As well as a video driver and sound card.

My low-end Compaq cost $199, not counting the AGP video card, extra memory, extra drives, and sound card I installed.

If I wanted a low-end gaming desktop, could I get the rest done for, say, an additional $400 without cannibalizing my existing desktop? Not counting the monitor?

I already have an extra mouse and keyboard.

FYI, here is the case I bought. The form factor is ATX mid-tower.

SteveDallas · 11-30-2008, 11:38 AM

A big question is whether you intend to put Window$ on it.

I'd say if you're talking the lower end, you should be able to get a motherboard, processor, memory, hard drive, and DVD burner for $250. I don't know what video and audio card prices are looking like these days; for my needs the integrated stuff is almost always more than adequate.

footfootfoot · 11-30-2008, 11:52 AM

I was thinking more like a pair of folding sawhorses and a unbored solid core door slab. About $50 max.

richlevy · 11-30-2008, 12:06 PM

I'm still thinking about everything. My games are all PC, so I would possibly go with XP.

If I just wanted a spare computer, I would buy a cheap motherboard and go with Linux.

If I wanted a mid-range gaming computer, the motherboard would be something like this.

Considering that I can get a budget laptop for $500, is it worth putting that kind of money into a desktop for anything other than gaming?

There are too many choices.

Big Red · 12-10-2008, 09:01 AM

I have a question My parents want to buy a computer for my daughter for christmas she is 6 and need some ideas on what we would need for her to play educational games.

Thank you
for any help

dar512 · 12-10-2008, 09:20 AM

Macs are easier to use, in general, but there's a lot more software available for Windows -- that includes educational software.

Most educational games don't tax the graphics card, so any good-quality PC will suffice.

You may want to look for a child-size mouse or trackball, though.

kerosene · 12-10-2008, 09:26 AM

Also, check out starfall.com. My son still really gets a kick out of that site. It has all kinds of fun stuff for reading. Games, books, etc.

Undertoad · 12-10-2008, 09:29 AM

Is it possible to build a desktop cheaper than buying one. Yes, if you buy low-end parts.

But the real reason to build one is to pay $100 more than for a similar Dell or whatever, is to avoid the things they skimped out on when they put theirs together.

busterb · 12-10-2008, 12:36 PM

I'm building a new one. Around $750 so far, With no OS.

11-30-2008, 10:16 AM	#1
richlevy King Of Wishful Thinking Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Philadelphia Suburbs Posts: 6,669	Is it even possible to build a desktop cheaper than buying one? I was considering building an inexpensive desktop. I want to do it mostly for hobby purposes. Still, I was hoping to have it be at least the same price as one I could buy. Last year I picked up a mid-tower case on sale for something like $20. I also picked up a power supply on sale cheap. However, looking at how cheap desktops are, and the thin margins that manufacturers make on them, is it possible to build a desktop for the same price or less than a new one? Especially considering sales and rebates? I still need an ATX motherboard & CPU, memory, and a hard drive. As well as a video driver and sound card. My low-end Compaq cost $199, not counting the AGP video card, extra memory, extra drives, and sound card I installed. If I wanted a low-end gaming desktop, could I get the rest done for, say, an additional $400 without cannibalizing my existing desktop? Not counting the monitor? I already have an extra mouse and keyboard. FYI, here is the case I bought. The form factor is ATX mid-tower. __________________ Exercise your rights and remember your obligations - VOTE! I have always believed that hope is that stubborn thing inside us that insists, despite all the evidence to the contrary, that something better awaits us so long as we have the courage to keep reaching, to keep working, to keep fighting. -- Barack Hussein Obama Last edited by richlevy; 11-30-2008 at 10:41 AM.

11-30-2008, 11:52 AM	#3
footfootfoot To shreds, you say? Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: in the house and on the street-how many, many feet we meet! Posts: 18,449	I was thinking more like a pair of folding sawhorses and a unbored solid core door slab. About $50 max. __________________ The internet is a hateful stew of vomit you can never take completely seriously. - Her Fobs

11-30-2008, 12:06 PM	#4
richlevy King Of Wishful Thinking Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Philadelphia Suburbs Posts: 6,669	I'm still thinking about everything. My games are all PC, so I would possibly go with XP. If I just wanted a spare computer, I would buy a cheap motherboard and go with Linux. If I wanted a mid-range gaming computer, the motherboard would be something like this. Considering that I can get a budget laptop for $500, is it worth putting that kind of money into a desktop for anything other than gaming? There are too many choices. __________________ Exercise your rights and remember your obligations - VOTE! I have always believed that hope is that stubborn thing inside us that insists, despite all the evidence to the contrary, that something better awaits us so long as we have the courage to keep reaching, to keep working, to keep fighting. -- Barack Hussein Obama

12-10-2008, 09:20 AM	#6
dar512 dar512 is now Pete Zicato Join Date: May 2003 Location: Chicago suburb Posts: 4,968	Macs are easier to use, in general, but there's a lot more software available for Windows -- that includes educational software. Most educational games don't tax the graphics card, so any good-quality PC will suffice. You may want to look for a child-size mouse or trackball, though. __________________ "Against stupidity the gods themselves contend in vain." -- Friedrich Schiller

12-10-2008, 12:36 PM	#9
busterb NSABFD Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: MS. usa Posts: 3,908	I'm building a new one. Around $750 so far, With no OS. __________________ I've haven't left very deep footprints in the sands of time. But, boy I've left a bunch.

11-30-2008, 11:38 AM	#2
SteveDallas Your Bartender Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Philly Burbs, PA Posts: 7,651	A big question is whether you intend to put Window$ on it. I'd say if you're talking the lower end, you should be able to get a motherboard, processor, memory, hard drive, and DVD burner for $250. I don't know what video and audio card prices are looking like these days; for my needs the integrated stuff is almost always more than adequate.

12-10-2008, 09:01 AM	#5
Big Red Fresh Incumbent Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Iowa Posts: 28	I have a question My parents want to buy a computer for my daughter for christmas she is 6 and need some ideas on what we would need for her to play educational games. Thank you for any help

12-10-2008, 09:26 AM	#7
kerosene Touring the facilities Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: The plains of Colorado Posts: 3,476	Also, check out starfall.com. My son still really gets a kick out of that site. It has all kinds of fun stuff for reading. Games, books, etc.

12-10-2008, 09:29 AM	#8
Undertoad Radical Centrist Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Cottage of Prussia Posts: 31,423	Is it possible to build a desktop cheaper than buying one. Yes, if you buy low-end parts. But the real reason to build one is to pay $100 more than for a similar Dell or whatever, is to avoid the things they skimped out on when they put theirs together.

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