Choosing the Right Computer..Assembled vs Branded. Review on Branded Vs. Assembled Computers

Choosing the Right Computer.Assembled vs Branded

Part 1

I would strongly suggest that everyone buy custom assembled computers. There are lots of benefits of buying custom assembled computers i.e.

1- Control to select the size and quality of individual parts

2- For custom assembled computers, no name Cases with lots of colors, designs, front USB, Audio and Fire Wire options will provide greater opportunity to upgrade in the future compare to branded ones that are just good for whatever is installed today, some times even installing extra memory is pain in the @.

3- You can choose to have good power supply starting from 250w, branded computers have barely enough power supply requirement to run the computer, i.e. if it requires only 110 power supply it cannot be changed to 250, big monsters, another way of saving few bucks.

4- Motherboard for your own custom assembled computer can be selected from wide range models that can be updated later on to accommodate with newer parts. Also you can obtain free tech info via email in case of any problem. Because these motherboards accessible worldwide and have millions of users, solutions will be available from more than one source. Motherboards only manufacture for the branded computer manufacturers may not be that great and help may not be available when needed, depending on the company for information may not last longer and also may not be free. Also it is in the manufacturer and branded company’s hands to provide updates and patches to you with their own terms.

5- Hard drives may be the same but some branded companies use hard drives of a less performance to reduce cost. Such hard drives made available on branded companies request. Hard drives can be selected from wide range of selection. Any 80GB(with 7200rpm or more) and up will provide reasonable start if plan to save lots of files, otherwise 40GB(with 7200rpm) is also enough. Use hard drive fan on large capacity hard drives.

6- Video Card Can be selected from vide range including the latest ATI 9800, these good quality cards do not pre installed in branded computers. On most branded computers video is onboard uses computers installed ram memory. Not good for gaming and high quality graphics work. In case of any problem to motherboard, it has to replace with another motherboard with video on board or with motherboard and additional separate video card.

7- Sound Card has the same story like video card, most of the onboard sound cards have very poor quality and there is no taste either in listening the music or voice chatting online. Needs to have at least sound blaster live.

8- Modem is required if internet connection is through dial up, v92 is the latest modem, and then there are qualities too, of course there will be a difference between 20 dollar and 50 dollar modem.

9- Network cards needs to be good quality if there is a high speed internet or local area network, most of the branded computers have onboard NIC or 10 base card with poor quality. For custom assembled computers, using 10/100 card of good company to enjoy the Internet is not a bad idea.

10- Ram Memory can be selected from a list of good manufacturers that provides more efficiency and reliability. Custom selected motherboard with max number of memory slots will provide greater flexibility to add the ram memory now and later if needed. If budget is low, buying motherboard with dual memory slots that holds sd ram and ddr ram is not a bad idea to add sd ram that is already available or buying new and later on upgrading to ddr ram when money is available.