I'm just curious... do u build PCs for others and how much (profit) do u charge? Do u think u can beat the store prices? I know the brand name (Dell, IBM, Compaq, etc.) PCs are ridiculously overpriced. But the little guys (the stores) seem to have good prices.

If the customer doesn't specify the CPU, would u be more inclined to use AMD or INTEL?

i build PCs for other, and I usually charge $80. Sounds cheap, but im not certified yet and im only 18 years old. I go with AMD if they dont specify, but I let them know first.

Rob

Newcomer:

You state: "PC's are ridiculously overpriced" . At least in the U.S. I disagree at least as far as "low-end" systems. Take a look at these two systems. Yes, I am aware that they probably use all-in-one motherboards and other cost-cutting methods.

Try looking at:

Dell System w/17 inch monitor, 1 year warranty, P4 2.4gig $499 AR +$99 shipping
http://www.dell.com/us/en/dhs/offers/specials_3x_special36.htm

Gateway System w/17 inch monitor, 1 year warranty, P4 2.2gig Celeron $499 including shipping
http://www.gateway.com/home/prod/hm_300s_proddetail.shtml

I just tried to match the gateway system part for part at newegg with very close to the lowest priced parts at newegg and came up to $378 + $40. This does not include a generic 17 inch monitor that would drastically drive up the shipping cost. You should be able to find a generic 17 inch monitor locally (in the U.S.) for about $90-$130 at one of the office supply type warehouses (Office Depot, Staples, etc.) Using these prices on separate components you can see the price comes very close to the $500 that Gateway charges (remember they include a monitor and a "legitimate" version of Windows XP home edition.) Also, it hasn't even been assembled yet and sometimes people you may build a system for, come back to "you" for "free" tech support when anything goes wrong.

Parts/prices I selected:

Dynapower Model# METIS CS-I3ASB.701 (Silver Black) ATX MID-TOWER CASE w/ 300W POWER SUPPLY - 2 x USB RETAIL $23 + Shipping

WESTERN DIGITAL WD400EB 40GB 5400RPM CAVIAR - Hard Drive OEM $52

KEYBOARD-2000 BLACK Keyboard/Mouse/MS-RETAIL BOX $10 + Shipping

CRUCIAL MICRON 256MB 32x64 PC 2100 DDR RAM - OEM $35

MATSONIC MS9327E+(USB),SIS 650GL chipset for Socket 478 P4 motherboard $50 + Shipping

Intel Celeron (Pentium 4 based) 2.2GHz 128K 400MHz FSB mPGA 478 Pin Processor Retail Box $79

Microsoft Works 7.0 - OEM Full Version $79 + Shipping

Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition with Service Pack 1 - OEM Full Version $93 + Shipping

Labtec Spin 20 2 Piece Speaker $7.00 + Shipping

I no longer build systems for friends (I only build them for myself.) My friends usually are looking for low-end systems and/or for me to install a pirated OS or software and for me to be their tech support for life. For the minimal profit I "may" make it is just not worth it. I refer them to the weekend specials, E-Machines, Dell's or Gateways.

I have been building systems now for 17 years, so I do have some experience at it. I am A+ , MCSE and CNE Certified. Furthermore I actually do enjoy building systems. I just do not like the headache's associated with selling them to other people.

dead right man, computer's have a 'calming influence' when working with, unlike 'people' who are soul destroying! If your unlucky enough to drop on a total shyit for brains when building someone a pc, and a week later they accidently delete a dll, you can garantee it's YOUR fault and expect to receive torrents of verbal abuse down the phone!!!

i dont know what the deal is in america, but the prices are overinflated when buying from the big guys here in south africa. my dad's company has an account with sum guys and gets things for at least 35% cheaper than the next cheapest shop. The sad thing is...the guys selling at the rediculously low price is also making a profit. thats also why we look forward to holday shopping in dubai where things are cheap

I have only a few things to say
DONT EVEN TRY: like the earlier message said by building a computer you dont only put it together you are also responsible for the maintenance if you start and you do get deals where stuff comes cheap your buissnes will be too much to handle these people WILL be on your case FOREVER so unless you can eazily move out of that state you are in dont try. BELIVE ME I TRIED IT NOW I AM WELL DONE GETTING MONEY FROM BUILDING PCS AND I AM STILL HELPING THESE PEOPLE WITH THEIR PC'S....

Ya, I don't recommend doing it. I built a computer for my dumb ASS friend and he fried the mobo and said it never worked so I gave him another mobo. Then he deleted some of the dll's and messed up the OS and said the OS never worked. So I had to fix that for him.

LOL it was a nightmare!!!

Hey, I've been building pcs for about 3 years now and I love it. I'd say go ahead, and build them for your friends, just tell them that you may not be able to provide great support for them :) I typically charge $30-$100 profit depending on who its for. Like some others up there said though, it's hard to beat some of the prices out there! I specialize mostly in super-high-end systems where you can really get a break buying the expensive parts wholesale. I mostly use www.tcwo.com which is a wholesaler in central Florida and they have awesome prices as well as great customer services (check them out at the bbb!). If they don't have what I want I usually check pricewatch.com next. It's a really cool site. Just make sure you check out the companies before you buy from them though... i've found some real bad ones through pricewatch. :) I've never yet built an intel system because until recently the benchmarks always had the amds way ahead of intel. However, some of the more recent things intel's come out with have changed that and I may look into intel for the next system I build. I'd say, above all, have fun! And MAKE SURE your customers don't expect you to provide 24/7 Tech support! You might want to add a 1-year subscription to Dial-A-Tech with your systems... just a thought! Hope this helps. BTW... I've found Maxtor's HDs to be the cheapest. Lite-On makes a good cheap CD-RW drive, and I love SOYO's MBs! DON"T get a coolermaster 7000RPM fan though.... WAY to loud!! :) Have fun!