Hello Do any of you Build computer for sale and if so. what does it cost you to build it and what do you sell it for? A friend of my wife want me build her a computer and I said sure. But after pricing the parts and software. I was thinking of telling her about Dell 699.00 Computer and Mon MB=55.00-sou,lan hdd=78.00-40g cpu=54.00-1600 Mem=45.00-256-2100 case=60.00 cdrom=25.00 Flo=15.00 Video card=35.00 modem=25.00 O/S=130 What would you guy do?

I have built systems in the past. Every time I do it ends up being the same price as if I had just gone out and bought one. The advantages are: you get exactly what you want, you can upgrade without voiding warranty, it can be fun! Disadvantages: No warranty, no free software, no rebates. From the looks of your list you have found some deals. I would still get the Dell.

Well, you're kind of comparing apples to oranges, aren't you? Yes, with the Dell you have a unified warranty on the whole machine, and tech support. But if you can troubleshoot on your own, remember that by building you can control the quality of EVERY component you put in there, and that, to me, is worth far more than anything.

You didnt mention if you want to make a profit on this macine?? It is hard to make profit when Dell offers a p4 for 699 with software and programs to an average user. Not to mention tech support .Anyways I Still think making your own is defenetly better as you can upgrade and choose better drives and cards if thats your thing.Ive been building systems for some time now and i will always prefer to make my own.Another thing to consider is how upgradable is a brand name computer and will you really use tech support i called Dell one time and felt like I knew more than the tech.So its really up to her to decide i guess...

these guyz are right, deepword, if it was for you defintely build it. for someone else--maybe someone who is less tech savvy, maybe get the Dell.

The cheapest Dell I could configure at their website with a P4 1.8, the 3 year warentee (which is the only same reason to buy from one of these companies), no monitor, no XP Office, was about $700. This is a piece of junk of computer. The power supplies they put on these minitowers are pathetic, the boards have integrated graphics, etc. I just put together for someone a system with a 100$ 350watt Antec case, an Athlon XP 1800+, XP Home, a geforce2 GTS 32MB DDR, 256MB of Crucial DDR, an MSI mobo, a 40GB ATA133 Maxtor quietdrive, 6 fans, a 32X writer, for $667 total with shipping factored in. There is usually at least a 100$ tax and/or shipping charge you have to factor in with these prices at Dell etc, so the total on this dell would be at least $750 (probably more like $800-$850). And for what? An underpowered piece of crap Tech support at these companies isn't worth a nickel let alone $160. You can put together a machine a lot cheaper than you can buy one if you know where to shop online.

Thats good to know boojum Thanks for doing the reserch. I knew that there was a catch on those Dell systems. I personaly never eaven considered buying a brand computer once i learend to make my own.I kinda had a feeling that there was something like that involved.Whimpy power supply, onboard video and other devices nevermind....I also agree on what you said about tech support its mainly for people who dont know a thing about a pc.They just keep you on the phone as long as they can to benefit them..I was on the phone with them once and after about 20 min of usless help i hung up and fixed the problem on my own . The only reason i called was because the person wanted and needed help and they had warranty.I guess Deepworld should explain this to his wifes friend and really let her decide.