Reasons mine:
1) Quality.
When you build your own, you know you're getting good parts. Sure, Dell will give you that Intel processor, but what kind of cheapo RAM are they putting in your box? What about the power supply? How about the case? A computer part is more than the specs on its box.
2) Price.
Every time I've checked the prices on pre-built systems, they've been comparable to the costs of building a computer from scratch. However, once you take the quality issue into account, you get a lot more value for your money when you build a computer yourself. If you find a system builder that uses the same level of components that you'd buy for yourself, their prices will likely be higher than the cost of DIY.
3) Repairs/warranty.
If (read: when) your Dell system goes on the fritz, you'll probably have to return your whole system. Have fun packing and shipping the tower. When you build the box yourself and you find that you have a bad component, the only thing you ship back is that component. If it's not the processor or motherboard, chances are you can even continue to use your computer while you wait for the repair.
4) Simplicity.
It's very, very easy to build a computer these days. Everything only fits in one slot, and modern operating systems are incredibly easy to install (literally: put in a DVD, and push enter five or six times). Absolute worst case scenario has you calling over a geek friend to help you through a problem. No geek friends? Take your box to the local computer store, pay them fifty bucks, and they'll put it together in front of you in five or six minutes.
Conclusion: Build it! We'll help you if you manage to get stuck.
1) Quality.
When you build your own, you know you're getting good parts. Sure, Dell will give you that Intel processor, but what kind of cheapo RAM are they putting in your box? What about the power supply? How about the case? A computer part is more than the specs on its box.
2) Price.
Every time I've checked the prices on pre-built systems, they've been comparable to the costs of building a computer from scratch. However, once you take the quality issue into account, you get a lot more value for your money when you build a computer yourself. If you find a system builder that uses the same level of components that you'd buy for yourself, their prices will likely be higher than the cost of DIY.
3) Repairs/warranty.
If (read: when) your Dell system goes on the fritz, you'll probably have to return your whole system. Have fun packing and shipping the tower. When you build the box yourself and you find that you have a bad component, the only thing you ship back is that component. If it's not the processor or motherboard, chances are you can even continue to use your computer while you wait for the repair.
4) Simplicity.
It's very, very easy to build a computer these days. Everything only fits in one slot, and modern operating systems are incredibly easy to install (literally: put in a DVD, and push enter five or six times). Absolute worst case scenario has you calling over a geek friend to help you through a problem. No geek friends? Take your box to the local computer store, pay them fifty bucks, and they'll put it together in front of you in five or six minutes.
Conclusion: Build it! We'll help you if you manage to get stuck.

New PC: to build or not to build
02/05/2011 04:16:46 PM
- 1010 Views
The advantages of building your own computer seem to be smaller these days.
02/05/2011 05:19:09 PM
- 784 Views
I take satisfaction in tinkering with computers...
02/05/2011 06:40:12 PM
- 1109 Views
Also, one of the big savings for building your own computer...
02/05/2011 07:27:37 PM
- 777 Views
yah that's part of the problem. I don't have a desktop right now. Not even a case
02/05/2011 07:37:45 PM
- 770 Views
It's not hard at all anymore. Link for Lorraine, too
02/05/2011 09:32:48 PM
- 903 Views
I always buy Intel. Papa works there
02/05/2011 09:39:00 PM
- 844 Views

Huh, small world. What site?
02/05/2011 10:36:55 PM
- 981 Views
I have no idea what the name of his site is. Probably not that one
03/05/2011 01:50:38 AM
- 736 Views

I don't know about you...
02/05/2011 08:21:41 PM
- 811 Views
Just get a pre-made and add a few components (ie: graphics card) to make you feel like you built it. *NM*
02/05/2011 08:53:07 PM
- 386 Views
Build it.
03/05/2011 02:54:12 PM
- 939 Views
Warranty/Troubleshooting
03/05/2011 04:14:47 PM
- 786 Views
How?
03/05/2011 05:04:27 PM
- 715 Views
Re: How?
03/05/2011 06:47:56 PM
- 735 Views
Wow, I never heard about that.
03/05/2011 07:10:07 PM
- 800 Views
Nah, it was years ago. The one you gave me advice for was the replacement of the replacement, hah
03/05/2011 07:41:24 PM
- 716 Views
Yeah, I meant the power supply of the problem machine.
03/05/2011 08:10:04 PM
- 786 Views
Ah. yeah, it was one of the pieces that got replaced. It was probably at least partially responsible *NM*
03/05/2011 08:12:50 PM
- 424 Views
I like how you seem to think I'd buy a Dell
03/05/2011 04:17:58 PM
- 769 Views
If you like tinkering, then build one. Quality control is all on you, but it's "yours" then.
03/05/2011 03:00:21 PM
- 737 Views
#1 reason to build your own: no pre-loaded bloatware. *NM*
03/05/2011 04:52:45 PM
- 408 Views
Or just format when you get it. *NM*
03/05/2011 06:48:47 PM
- 394 Views
With a pre-built you can't often do that.
03/05/2011 07:19:28 PM
- 776 Views
for the record, sometimes stores will remove the bloatware for you
03/05/2011 07:28:58 PM
- 704 Views
Do prebuilts come without OS discs these days? That's bullshit. *NM*
03/05/2011 07:43:39 PM
- 411 Views
Yah, they don't.
03/05/2011 07:47:36 PM
- 734 Views
Well, it's understandable, just annoying.
03/05/2011 08:05:00 PM
- 725 Views
You really should just stop using Dell as your example
03/05/2011 10:51:10 PM
- 724 Views

Oh, hush.
04/05/2011 12:50:15 AM
- 891 Views

YOU SHALL NOT MALIGN THE HP!!!
04/05/2011 10:16:50 AM
- 743 Views
Re: YOU SHALL NOT MALIGN THE HP!!!
04/05/2011 04:55:49 PM
- 799 Views
My anecdotal evidence has HP failures being rare but spectacular.
04/05/2011 08:19:52 PM
- 746 Views
I had a Compaq laptop (built after HP had bought Compaq).
04/05/2011 09:13:54 PM
- 720 Views
Huh. I have a Compaq too. It shipped with bad RAM, but once I fixed that it's worked like a charm.
05/05/2011 12:43:48 AM
- 724 Views