Computer upgrade question?

[brzilian]

I would happily build someone on here a computer for their prices. I looked at their FT7100-PE model for comparison.

I think there's a reason people say DIY, and it's not because we're on high horses.

Maybe it's the fact that I can build a VPR Matrix clone, (albeit with the 800Mhz FSB, not the slower 533FSB they seem to be still selling) for $400 less.

Don't even get me started on Alienware and Falcon Northwest's mark up.

I guess it's all in the name of a warranty, right? (and marketing).

If a $400 mark up, when you know you can do it yourself, seems reasonable, then go for it.

I'm not going to go there, 'cause we've been here before.

Building a computer is not for everyone. I have regretted building computers for friends/aquaintances in the past because I end up being their tech support and its quite annoying. They are not able to figure out the simplest of problems.

 

[DJL]

DAW stands for what? Sorry, Im new to some of these terms as well

Digital Audio Workstation.

 

[Polaris20]

I'm not going to go there, 'cause we've been here before.

Building a computer is not for everyone. I have regretted building computers for friends/aquaintances in the past because I end up being their tech support and its quite annoying. They are not able to figure out the simplest of problems.

Just expressing my opinion, as I have in the past.

 

[ChristopherM]

I have regretted building computers for friends/aquaintances in the past because I end up being their tech support and its quite annoying. They are not able to figure out the simplest of problems.

That's another story. I always build my own machine, but for my dear ol' mom, who lives a couple thousand miles away, I recommended that she call Dell. She only uses her machine for email and web stuff. Same situation for my brother, although he adds gaming to his list of computer tasks. And, as for my girlfriend, the most computer-illiterate person in the world, no way would I build her a machine. These people aren't musicians, though. Even if they were, I would leave it to them to do the building. I don't build computers for others.

I think most home recording artists are pretty intuitive/intelligent. You kind of have to be to understand all the ins and outs of hooking up your gear, playing your instrument, multitracking, mixing, understanding your software, etc. The most complicated/delicate part is making sure you don't crack your processor while putting on the heatsink. Everything else just goes together by snapping into a slot or plugging in wires. Kinda reminds me of the old days of putting a cassette deck into one of my old cars, except this is really less complicated.

 

[VSpaceBoy]

I'd never let a "tech" touch my machine. If something goes wrong, it's almost always apparent which component went bad. Just replace that component. If it's not immediately apparent, just do a little diagnostics...just like you do when you're chasing the source of feedback...try different stuff until it works. Unless you force/splice together connections that don't fit, or have mallets for hands, you should be OK.

However, if something goes wrong on a store-bought PC, you have to have a tech fix it or bye-bye warranty.



Now I'm up to four cents.

If my car is not running very well, I take it too the shop. Sure, I'm sure they laugh at me since all they had to do is a little diagnostics and a quick fix here or there, but THEY know that, not me. I don't know cars. Whats easy to you and me <pc's> is very intimidating to some ppl.

For the record, higher end PC makers like Dell do not only use cheap OEM parts. You can specify and pick out what you want them to put in it using name brand parts. If you want to see go to their site and build your own. I used to work for Dell and serviced their machines, and if I was going to buy a computer, it would be from them.

SpaceBoy

 

[ChristopherM]

If my car is not running very well, I take it too the shop. Sure, I'm sure they laugh at me since all they had to do is a little diagnostics and a quick fix here or there, but THEY know that, not me. I don't know cars. Whats easy to you and me <pc's> is very intimidating to some ppl.

I love cars! Great comparison!
If you only use your car for "point a" to "point b" transportation, that's understandible. I consider a storebought computer great for that, as I stated in my post directly above yours.

I consider a good DAW more like a hotrod. If you have a hotrod and constantly want the best performance, you're usually better off learning to work on it yourself. Sure, you can go to the dealership and buy a 'Vette or a 'Viper or an SVT Cobra, or have a custom shop do it for you, but you can usually build a faster, cheaper car (that's just as nice or better) the DIY way.

I didn't know cars (my other hobby) when I got into them, I learned through DIY methods. I love what I got out of it and I doubt I could have it done as cheaply by someone else. Also, if something does go wrong now, I don't have to rely on someone else to figure it out.

Off topic car URL...my baby!

O'course this is all just my own opinion...plus I'm kinda anal about things and don't like the idea of having someone else do something for me without my understanding what's going on.

Cheers,
Christopher

 

[DJL]

Re: Re: Re: Computer upgrade question?

LOL

Here we go again...

911?

 

[Fusion2]

If my car is not running very well, I take it too the shop. Sure, I'm sure they laugh at me since all they had to do is a little diagnostics and a quick fix here or there, but THEY know that, not me. I don't know cars. Whats easy to you and me <pc's> is very intimidating to some ppl.

For the record, higher end PC makers like Dell do not only use cheap OEM parts. You can specify and pick out what you want them to put in it using name brand parts. If you want to see go to their site and build your own. I used to work for Dell and serviced their machines, and if I was going to buy a computer, it would be from them.

SpaceBoy

humm, true "dell" salemanship again...

by the time you upgrade dells crappy OEM hardware to a DAW preformance system you've missed a pro tool console in cost, if not more i expect, imho

how can dell really offer quality and service for 499 to 599?

your a true "mindless dolt" if you believe dell can, or most any maker at that price, "most" is the word here, not all...

from the dell tech who says, a partition, is nothing more than a folder like A:\

my god, where do they come from? (space) very...

 

[Ed Dixon]

The reason Dells are cheaper is their manuracturing process, which is far more efficient than most other competitors.

At Dell, the average labor cost for a new PC is 12%. At Gateway, it is 36%.

Ed

 

[brzilian]

The reason Dells are cheaper is their manuracturing process, which is far more efficient than most other competitors.

At Dell, the average labor cost for a new PC is 12%. At Gateway, it is 36%.

Ed

Ed, its no use - people here associate low cost, off the shelf product with poor quality...

For anyone interested - here is a pre-assembled system I would buy. Even though it starts a $3k - I would gladly fork over the money.

 

[Ed Dixon]

Yes that does happen. Sometimes it is accurate and sometimes it is not. My experience with Dell gear has been the best of many PC firms.

Ed

 

[brzilian]

Yes that does happen. Sometimes it is accurate and sometimes it is not. My experience with Dell gear has been the best of many PC firms.

Ed

I completely agree with you - Dell blows Compaq out of the water in terms of quality. That probably explains why they have a bigger market share now.

 

[Polaris20]

Ed, its no use - people here associate low cost, off the shelf product with poor quality...

For anyone interested - here is a pre-assembled system I would buy. Even though it starts a $3k - I would gladly fork over the money.

I'm with you on this one, actually. Those are unbelievable. I don't think have the stuff on there you can even buy separately. Finally, a unique prebuilt. Amazing (but expensive) stuff.

While I don't see the value personally for Dell, VPR, etc. because once you get pass their "door busters" they're no longer that good of a deal, these "Go-i" systems are incredible.

I personally don't like pre-builts, when I can get the same thing for $400-$600 less. But that's for me, personally. When everything comes with a warranty anyway (1 year at least, often more) I don't see much concern with DIY's.

But you do have to know what you're doing, and I can see the potential for headaches if it's the person's first go-around with a DIY.

Just trying to be objective here.

 

[VSpaceBoy]

by the time you upgrade dells crappy OEM hardware to a DAW preformance system you've missed a pro tool console in cost, if not more i expect, imho

how can dell really offer quality and service for 499 to 599?

your a true "mindless dolt" if you believe dell can, or most any maker at that price, "most" is the word here, not all...

I have been building my own computers and I always think I can save money. You know what happens?? I end up spending at least $1500 anyways. For 499-599 you wouldn't be able to build a machine you were happy with for a DAW.

from the dell tech who says, a partition, is nothing more than a folder like A:\

Tease as much as you like, I have bleed and sweat partitions for a long time. I speak from experience and research, not my ass. BTW no one has still PROVEN how they are different than a folder.

my god, where do they come from? (space) very...

BooYa!

SpaceBoy

 

[Polaris20]

For the record, higher end PC makers like Dell do not only use cheap OEM parts. You can specify and pick out what you want them to put in it using name brand parts. If you want to see go to their site and build your own.

Unfortunately, if their "Top-of-the-line" XPS stuff is anything to judge by, you can't specify what parts you want. I spec'd one out, and nowhere does it say that I can choose a Seagate drive or Pioneer DVD-R, or Crucial memory.

If you like prebuilts, great, many people do, and that's fine. But let's be honest here.

They very well may use name brand parts, but they sure don't tell you what it is. If they do, it's very difficult to find on their site, and it's sure not where you build the computer itself.

 

[VSpaceBoy]

But you do have to know what you're doing, and I can see the potential for headaches if it's the person's first go-around with a DIY.

This is the point I was making before. The parts come with a warranty, but not the headaches or service. For someone who doesn't care to save a few bux, like me on a car<..read back through the thread>, a Dell built to spec from the site could do a great job!
The only thing still always lacking in a Dell machine would be the audio card. But like someone wrote earlier.. if someone knew enough about the audio interface they wanted, they would probably know enough to build there own.

SpaceBoy

 

[Polaris20]

I have been building my own computers and I always think I can save money. You know what happens?? I end up spending at least $1500 anyways. For 499-599 you wouldn't be able to build a machine you were happy with for a DAW.
SpaceBoy

I would disagree with that. Except for the audio card, which Dell doesn't offer anyway, you can build a very capable DAW for $500-$600.

 

[VSpaceBoy]

I would disagree with that. Except for the audio card, which Dell doesn't offer anyway, you can build a very capable DAW for $500-$600.

You think the diffence would be that significant at that price range?? The case/fan, vid card, and hdd alone would get you over that $$. Not counting the memory, moniter, and peripherals. Unless you skimped, then I bet it wouldn't be all that different than a Dell machine in the same catagory/price range. Again not playing the name brand parts thing, I strickly mean

I'm not trying to argue, in fact I could probably argue your side and feel comfortable.

Space

 

[Polaris20]

You think the diffence would be that significant at that price range?? The case/fan, vid card, and hdd alone would get you over that $$. Not counting the memory, moniter, and peripherals. Unless you skimped, then I bet it wouldn't be all that different than a Dell machine in the same catagory/price range. Again not playing the name brand parts thing, I strickly mean

I'm not trying to argue, in fact I could probably argue your side and feel comfortable.

Space

I'm saying name brand parts, like WD, Asus, Chieftec case, Corsair memory, Lite-On CDRW, separate ATI AGP (not onboard as would be the case for Dell in this range)

I'm not trying to argue either. I'm just saying you could get a satisfactory DAW for that price range by building yourself too, if you wanted to.