will this computer be all i need

HP isn't the "best" but they have good machines.

[QUOTE=Scatterbrained;​16797180]What else are you going to do on a rainy Saturday.

LOL

Scatterbrained wrote in post #16797180
Actually these large companies tend to get good deals on components so it's likely that you would have paid a bit more to build it out yourself at the same spec level.

Depends how you go about it. I've built every computer I've owned (my dad taught me how when I was 13). In my experience, building your own computer costs about the same as a mass produced unit but the difference is that the component quality is higher and you can sometimes get in slightly higher speced components for the same price. But, you have to know what you are doing and you have to be conscious of the pricing trends for those components.

For example, the big box unit might have 8GB of cheap RAM but my build would be 8GB of RAM but the brand I would chose would have a much lower failure rate and maybe better latency ratings, etc. Same thing with the power supply - lots of manufacturers overrate their units and I may pick a unit with a similar wattage rating but in reality is superior and less likely to fail. Not all components are made the same and the specifications which are most visible to the consumer are not the end of the story.

SoCalTiger wrote in post #16802681
Depends how you go about it. I've built every computer I've owned (my dad taught me how when I was 13). In my experience, building your own computer costs about the same as a mass produced unit but the difference is that the component quality is higher and you can sometimes get in slightly higher speced components for the same price. But, you have to know what you are doing and you have to be conscious of the pricing trends for those components.

For example, the big box unit might have 8GB of cheap RAM but my build would be 8GB of RAM but the brand I would chose would have a much lower failure rate and maybe better latency ratings, etc. Same thing with the power supply - lots of manufacturers overrate their units and I may pick a unit with a similar wattage rating but in reality is superior and less likely to fail. Not all components are made the same and the specifications which are most visible to the consumer are not the end of the story.

That's easy enough, when you just migrate the same OS to your next build... but the cost of a new Windows disk is $100 or more, and that sure eats into the $500-$600 price that the big OEMs sell for.

Don't get me wrong, i agree with you... i've been building my own only for 13 years and will never buy a pre-built again. I'd rather wait and save up more, and spec it out as I want...and bypass the bloatware.

SoCalTiger wrote in post #16802681
Depends how you go about it. I've built every computer I've owned (my dad taught me how when I was 13). In my experience, building your own computer costs about the same as a mass produced unit but the difference is that the component quality is higher and you can sometimes get in slightly higher speced components for the same price. But, you have to know what you are doing and you have to be conscious of the pricing trends for those components.

For example, the big box unit might have 8GB of cheap RAM but my build would be 8GB of RAM but the brand I would chose would have a much lower failure rate and maybe better latency ratings, etc. Same thing with the power supply - lots of manufacturers overrate their units and I may pick a unit with a similar wattage rating but in reality is superior and less likely to fail. Not all components are made the same and the specifications which are most visible to the consumer are not the end of the story.

I build my own machines as well, but at lower price levels it's hard to compete spec for spec with the larger O.E. companies when you're paying retail for everything.

Scatterbrained wrote in post #16802757
I build my own machines as well, but at lower price levels it's hard to compete spec for spec with the larger O.E. companies when you're paying retail for everything.

I really believe I could build one, the only uncertainty is the coating between the mother board and chip AND i wouldn't even know where or what the hell to buy when it comes to quality components, So i buy from the big box store.
I have had a couple of computers built and I know they didn't use the best of everything, more than likely I did better with the big box stores.

My only advice, don't take any crap from the HP tech support. I bought one of their "Elite" desktops a while back to use for work and one of the monitor outputs quit working after a few minutes. I called the support line and got a tech; he told me that the other monitor output was never supposed to work anyway and that I was lucky it had worked at all. He tried telling me it was just supposed to be a "dummy" port. At that point I decided to go back to building my own machines.

DigitalDon wrote in post #16802864
I really believe I could build one, the only uncertainty is the coating between the mother board and chip AND i wouldn't even know where or what the hell to buy when it comes to quality components, So i buy from the big box store.
I have had a couple of computers built and I know they didn't use the best of everything, more than likely I did better with the big box stores.

That is.. between the chip and the heatsink.
It's a concern when you are are new to building, but in the big picture.. there's a lot of leeway.

You can buy a tube of TIM (thermal interface material) such as Arctic Silver for <$10. It should be spread evenly and very thin. Most say not to use your finger (use the edge of a credit card, or your finger in a sandwich bag<--which can get even messier), as the oils from your skin can reduce performance slightly and/or any remaining fingerprints could leave "ridges" in the smoothness. Let's just say... i ALWAYS use my fingertip, and have reached glorious overclocks, with excellent temperatures..

Yes, if you're into heavy overclocking, the devil is in the details, but for a stock or mild-moderately overclocked machine.. don't worry about it. One of the biggest issues is, don't build it.. standing on a carpet, as static electricity can ruin your day.
It's all a matter of paying attention, and taking your time. There are enough websites that detail builds, that my Mother could probably do it.

1Tanker wrote in post #16803212
That is.. between the chip and the heatsink.
It's a concern when you are are new to building, but in the big picture.. there's a lot of leeway.

You can buy a tube of TIM (thermal interface material) such as Arctic Silver for <$10. It should be spread evenly and very thin. Most say not to use your finger (use the edge of a credit card, or your finger in a sandwich bag<--which can get even messier), as the oils from your skin can reduce performance slightly and/or any remaining fingerprints could leave "ridges" in the smoothness. Let's just say... i ALWAYS use my fingertip, and have reached glorious overclocks, with excellent temperatures..

Yes, if you're into heavy overclocking, the devil is in the details, but for a stock or mild-moderately overclocked machine.. don't worry about it. One of the biggest issues is, don't build it.. standing on a carpet, as static electricity can ruin your day.
It's all a matter of paying attention, and taking your time. There are enough websites that detail builds, that my Mother could probably do it.

That is.. between the chip and the heatsink.
LOL i knew it went somewhere, I watched a video somewhere where they sold a kit and showed step by step how to do it, and when i saw the part about the heatsink material, I said right then i will leave it to the pros.

Scatterbrained wrote in post #16802886
My only advice, don't take any crap from the HP tech support. I bought one of their "Elite" desktops a while back to use for work and one of the monitor outputs quit working after a few minutes. I called the support line and got a tech; he told me that the other monitor output was never supposed to work anyway and that I was lucky it had worked at all. He tried telling me it was just supposed to be a "dummy" port. At that point I decided to go back to building my own machines.

Hope i don't have to deal with any tech support, every one of them seems to be a dummy load, or at least that is the ones i get everytime i have to call about anything.