ButchDog
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Build my own PC?
Hi.
I have a customer who is tired of buying stock computers, Dell, HP, etc, because when they finally die, they're so proprietary that they often can't be fixed.
If we buy a generic tower, fit it with all the components, when eventually one dies, or we need to upgrade to stay up with technology will that afford us the ability to do that or do they become out of date as well?
Thanks.
B
I have a customer who is tired of buying stock computers, Dell, HP, etc, because when they finally die, they're so proprietary that they often can't be fixed.
If we buy a generic tower, fit it with all the components, when eventually one dies, or we need to upgrade to stay up with technology will that afford us the ability to do that or do they become out of date as well?
Thanks.
B
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Can you swap the motherboard? Probably. So long as the standards don't change. And they probably won't. But everything is so cheap, do you really care? If you swap the motherboard, you're almost certainly going to need new RAM, and a new CPU, so what's $40 on a case? I suppose you could go with a fancier case... I usually don't see the point though... Heck you don't even really need a case...
Nah, you need a case in case you spill your Jolt Cola...
Not true - you could hang everything mobile like with fishing string... I did, just for the fun of it!
I had not thought of that... Do you have a picture?
ASKER
So, Leew, what you're saying is that once you replace the motherboard, put in a new cpu and new ram, you might as well buy an entire new pc off the shelf?
>>> once you replace the motherboard, put in a new cpu and new ram, you might as well buy an entire new pc
If you get a well engineered PC, one that has warranty, is serviceable and lasts, then yes - when the board goes down the road, it is probably time to dump the PC.
.... Thinkpads_User
If you get a well engineered PC, one that has warranty, is serviceable and lasts, then yes - when the board goes down the road, it is probably time to dump the PC.
.... Thinkpads_User
Another thing to consider is the Business Case: You probably cannot construct a high quality PC for less money that a good manufacturer. So your customer may be wasting money on custom computers trying to stretch PC life (so as to prevent new capital). ... Thinkpads_User
Well, hard drives WILL fail (unless you get an SSD, but even they will fail). And frankly, I don't bother with CD/DVD drives much anymore - I use flash drives. So what's left? Video card? If you're a gamer, you want that upgraded every year... or more often... if you're not, you don't care much (most likely) about the graphics performance.
Sadly, no picture... that was about 10 years ago... should have taken one... maybe I'll do it again sometime...
Sadly, no picture... that was about 10 years ago... should have taken one... maybe I'll do it again sometime...
the only advantage that i see with building your own PC is that you will know what is in it, and installed on it
that reduces the massive commercial software loads on branded pc's, and also gives you better hardware handling possibilities and training
but i fear it costs a lot more (parts, hours, tools)
that reduces the massive commercial software loads on branded pc's, and also gives you better hardware handling possibilities and training
but i fear it costs a lot more (parts, hours, tools)
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And the goat guy if you recommend parts that don't work well together -- and you may not even realize it for weeks...
In an enterprise-sized company, parts working together would be a concern, due to the sheer numbers and combinations. But one PC? There's a low probability that anyone who puts these together for a living will find incompatible parts. It's been a long time that I read of a video card which wouldn't work with a motherboard.
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I'll agree with ComputerDudeLV. The only time when it is cost effective to plan on upgrading a system in the future, rather than replacing it outright, is when you are building a system for your own use. For customers or a user base in a business, purchase a system which comes with a warranty and service organization. The last thing you want is to become a free service organization for each and every problem that your customer encounters. If you are getting paid for this, that's a different issue.
BTW, there are a number of companies which resell systems from companies which have upgraded. The computers don't actually end up buried in a landfill.
BTW, there are a number of companies which resell systems from companies which have upgraded. The computers don't actually end up buried in a landfill.
The last two comments are close to what has already been posted. .... Thinkpads_User
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ASKER
Thank you.
You all made your case very well.
I concur.
B
You all made your case very well.
I concur.
B
ASKER
Great answers all.
I guess I'm just wondering if we buy a generic box, can we swap out the motherboard and/or processor, and/or ram when the one's we buy now die or become obsolete?
Good point, leew. I hadn't thought about the trouble we could have putting together misc parts as opposed to letting major manufacturers, who have WAY more experience at this, do it for us.
B