[ariniaxia]

Because in the late 1990's, prebuilt-PC's rarely came with an AGP slot and that discouraged many people that came onto these forums mostly in the 2000-2002 era looking for a solution in which they found out about 3dfx's Voodoo3,4, and 5 PCI solution as a temporary fix and a way to play Unreal Tournament and Quake III Arena with full FSAA without sacrificing performance.

The "no AGP slot" crew we called 'em and they are the basis for what this forum is all about: Finding cheap fixes to problems that shouldn't have existed in the first place.

So in the end we have a bunch of enthusiasts that continue to this day to believe any sort of package deal or prebuilt PC is the devil, which is untrue of course but only recently and not in the 1999-2004 era where a missing AGP slot was VERY common.

Many ATX package deals you pick up today are fully equipped to receive upgrades such as new video card, more RAM, more hard drive space, even a higher end processor, power supply, room for a different motherboard, optical drives, blah blah blah.

[blogforlovxr]

Because in the late 1990's, prebuilt-PC's rarely came with an AGP slot and that discouraged many people that came onto these forums mostly in the 2000-2002 era looking for a solution in which they found out about 3dfx's Voodoo3,4, and 5 PCI solution as a temporary fix and a way to play Unreal Tournament and Quake III Arena with full FSAA without sacrificing performance.

The "no AGP slot" crew we called 'em and they are the basis for what this forum is all about: Finding cheap fixes to problems that shouldn't have existed in the first place.

So in the end we have a bunch of enthusiasts that continue to this day to believe any sort of package deal or prebuilt PC is the devil, which is untrue of course but only recently and not in the 1999-2004 era where a missing AGP slot was VERY common.

Many ATX package deals you pick up today are fully equipped to receive upgrades such as new video card, more RAM, more hard drive space, even a higher end processor, power supply, room for a different motherboard, optical drives, blah blah blah.

Well, I would qualify that a bit. The micro-size cases that most manufacturers are coming up with nowadays are not conducive at all to anything but a fairly tiny graphics card. Plus the cooling solutions/options are minimal at best.

Most of the faster solutions I have seen recently from Acer, Sony, E-machines and the like have been right on the thermal danger line. And getting third party parts in and out of those tiny spaces is often an exercise in bloodletting.

Plus they are again leaving out the PCI-E expansion port on quite a few of them. [shocked]

Edit: recently I have been seeing motherboards that according to the manufacturer/Model # should have working PCI-e ports but there is actually nothing there but the solder points. I am told that manufacturers are doing this to save money. (or something)

[Loovikeillilen]

All my pc's are pre-built now as i get them from trade clearance sites and save **** loads, like my last purchase....Q6600 / 160gb hd / 2gb ram / 8800gt / no OS for £116 oh and it came with a 3yr on site warranty as well

Who said Dells are overpriced? lol

[actrisski]

I see it all the time on here and other forums, and tbh, it gets my goat that basically all you hear is "yeah I think pre built suck" blah blah blah... yes there are some rubbish ones by cheap crappy companies, but then again, the like of Alienware who constantly get the p1ss taken out of them on here build top notch quality equipment, yeah overpriced HOWEVER very good quality with top notch bits in them.

Kinda does my head in, as I've seen more dross built by people than prebuilt PC's tbh.

It seems the cool thing to do, slag PC World off, slag pre built off etc etc etc and say "My BAD" all the time as it sounds "cool"... dear me... As you can see, I'm in argumentative mood today [thumbup]

after some of the home built pc's Ive seen on here that people think are awesome (they probably are technologically) I think a chimp can make a nicer looking machine out of a banana and its own poo.

I think they are just jealous of these alien ware machines, that look good and are technologically good too but over priced (subjective)

as for PC world,or dell you pay for what you get,and the machines on the whole are not ghastly looking.

[xgnuwdd]

All my pc's are pre-built now as i get them from trade clearance sites and save **** loads, like my last purchase....Q6600 / 160gb hd / 2gb ram / 8800gt / no OS for £116 oh and it came with a 3yr on site warranty as well

Who said Dells are overpriced? lol

Where did you find that deal mate? I could do with something like that myself!

[xgnuwdd]

I don't like them mainly because of all the branding crap they include, the tons of unwanted software and more that reports home..

if I'm gunna buy a pc I have to format, I might as well build it myself..

That's the best argument so far. The first thing I did when I got my vaio laptop was format it. All that Sony crap got on my nerves.

[actrisski]

That's the best argument so far. The first thing I did when I got my vaio laptop was format it. All that Sony crap got on my nerves.

pfft,

so whats wrong with looking at a pc checking its spec if its cheaper to buy the pre built one then format it.

Ive done that loads of times..or the other thing Ive done is bought the pc and bought a new case for it.

/quoted wrong person

[WeissVine]

pfft,

so whats wrong with looking at a pc checking its spec if its cheaper to buy the pre built one then format it.

Even better you can pay Best Buy $30 to remove it for you. [rolleyes]

[VogsHoock]

Prebuilt PCs are RIDICULOUSLY overpriced, thats why

[actrisski]

Prebuilt PCs are RIDICULOUSLY overpriced, thats why

not always.

probably the super spec ones you compare to the ones you can make up can be

[evarekataVame]

I thought you'd never ask [rofl]

See if you can build me any of these cheaper (don't forget these prices include 1 or 3 year warranties):

http://www.pcpro.co.uk/reviews/deskt...-fusion-katana

http://www.pcpro.co.uk/reviews/deskt...fire-hellspawn

http://www.pcpro.co.uk/reviews/deskt...usion-spitfire

http://www.pcpro.co.uk/reviews/deskt...ter-dragon-3-6

http://www.pcpro.co.uk/reviews/deskt...silent-edition

Those aren't the typical prebuilds as they are done mostly by small companies .

But point taken, lets refine the statement that we do not like highend prebuilds froim the big brands.

[xgnuwdd]

Those aren't the typical prebuilds as they are done mostly by small companies .

But point taken, lets refine the statement that we do not like highend prebuilds froim the big brands.

Yeh, I'd agree with that. The big brands cater for people who just want a computer that works and don't care (or know) what's inside it.

I still think Dell PC's are good value for what you get (as an average user) but anyone who cares about what is inside will realise there are compromises.

[LarryRda]

Yeh, I'd agree with that. The big brands cater for people who just want a computer that works and don't care (or know) what's inside it.

I still think Dell PC's are good value for what you get (as an average user) but anyone who cares about what is inside will realise there are compromises.

yeah, for the money they are good value, however, the problem i have always had with prebuilts, was their inability to be upgraded....at least that is how it used to be. I know dell used proprietary psu's, and mb's etc. So i frow on them because used to at least, they were what they were until u chuncked em/

[gogoleanylinkfo]

Dam forgot about pre-built PCs that didnt have a AGP slot, another thing that pissed me the amount that only came 256mb of ram and windows XP.

[unishisse]

dell don't seem to be massively over priced to me. especially when they have their offers on.

[Stasher11]

Wanted to chime in....

Long ago, I was the prototypocal type here that built a new system just about every 3 or so months. I had plenty of time and somewhat of a budget. I took pleasure in my builds, and a sence of acomplishment when everything came together. I took pride in my 'wire tidyness' and it was a hobby of mine. Not just using pc's but building them.

Durring that time, I could never imagine buying a prebuilt. Not that I was snobby to thoes who did, but could just not understand why they would waist there money, and miss out on the fun and pride involved with a custom built. It was my lifestyle then, and my 'hobby' and finances kept me in check.

Fastforward to today, and I'm a 35 year old with a wife, kid, and a much better financial place. What I do not have is the time and/or need to build anymore. However, I did want to get back in to pc gaming so I went with Alienware. Nothing top of the line, but something that could give me quality mid/high gaming on what I missed over the last few years, and something that could play todays and tomorrows games fair enough.

So yes, I probablly spent $400 or so more than I would have if I built it, but then again, the time I saved is more valuable to me. Atop of that, the quality in which these are built are on a level only the most demanding custom builders can or will achieve. I'm not going to even try and explain just how well built these things are. And all of the cool extras that these builds incorporate like wireless case fans, ect..

Anyway, I fully understand why and how people look at thoes who buy prebuilts(expecially here), and I was one of them not too long ago! However, It was the right choice for me. I just wnated to game, I clicked a few clicks, and now I'm gaming. And personally, I would be willing to bet that 90% of thoes who bash Alienware have never actually seen one in real life, otherwise they would be forced to respect the build. They are that good!

Anyway, just my 2. Cheers!

[poekfpojoibien]

Comes down to 3 things at the end of the day:

1. Cost
2. Quality
3. Performance

Yes some pc's may seem a fantastic deal, but when you launch it, the performance is dire and it needs a clean install before you've even done anything. I get quite a bit of business to supply "my magic" as its known to people as it gives their PCs a proper lease of life.
Another thing, is quality. Yes I could easily price match systems from PCWorld or the like, however that is with the crappest quality components (which are also used in those OEM systems).

A lot of people come to me instead of PCWorld and no longer take the price into consideration. Yes they can understand that in some cases I could be more expensive, but they get the personal installation treatment (which its just a box swap from stores), they know they'll get the relevent quality products depending on how much they spend, and finally they know their PC will be very high performing and do what they want when they want with no to little support required.

Oh and Alienware.....as you said, waaaaay overpriced for what is supplied, especially for just a box swap process too.

I think I've covered everything?