Build Your Own - Step by Step ( i7 2600k)
- Thread starter TIKITRADER
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A question for the group:
How comfortable are you that the MB you purchase will actually function as it's supposed to and last for 3-5 years?
I ask because I have an older Dell workstation that should be replaced in the near future. I've been following this thread and really like the great options offered by doing my own build vs buying a box from Dell / HP. However, I've been reading the reviews of various MBs and must say that I've been shocked. I'm shocked overall but especially with Asus board reviews. For the last bunch of years, I've found that reading reviews on Amazon / Newegg / etc will often save me future headaches and frequently add info that I haven't come across elsewhere. There seems to be a different standard with these MBs. The number that have issues right out of the box seems high (to me anyway) and then a significant number seem to fail not that long after completion (a week to a few months).
While the main reason for doing the build is to replace my primary box, another is to further my knowledge. However, if I end up with an unreliable, time-suck that causes me downtime and grief, I will not be doing myself any favors...
Here is a sampling of some of the comments from the first few pages of the Newegg X58 Sabertooth board mentioned above (Tiki & Sam's P8P67 board has comments that are the same or worse):
I'm used to ignoring trolls & whiners when I scan reviews, but this is really much different than I'm used to. While the Asus boards 'appear' to have more negative comments, I haven't found any that don't have a large number of horrible reviews. Also, having a positive review from Tom's hardware or one of the other sites is unrelated to the number of bad reviews from builders. ( ... and yes I'm aware that this would appear to be confirming Scat's earlier comments on low volume board manufacturers vs high volume PC makers).
All the best,
R
How comfortable are you that the MB you purchase will actually function as it's supposed to and last for 3-5 years?
I ask because I have an older Dell workstation that should be replaced in the near future. I've been following this thread and really like the great options offered by doing my own build vs buying a box from Dell / HP. However, I've been reading the reviews of various MBs and must say that I've been shocked. I'm shocked overall but especially with Asus board reviews. For the last bunch of years, I've found that reading reviews on Amazon / Newegg / etc will often save me future headaches and frequently add info that I haven't come across elsewhere. There seems to be a different standard with these MBs. The number that have issues right out of the box seems high (to me anyway) and then a significant number seem to fail not that long after completion (a week to a few months).
While the main reason for doing the build is to replace my primary box, another is to further my knowledge. However, if I end up with an unreliable, time-suck that causes me downtime and grief, I will not be doing myself any favors...
Here is a sampling of some of the comments from the first few pages of the Newegg X58 Sabertooth board mentioned above (Tiki & Sam's P8P67 board has comments that are the same or worse):
I'm used to ignoring trolls & whiners when I scan reviews, but this is really much different than I'm used to. While the Asus boards 'appear' to have more negative comments, I haven't found any that don't have a large number of horrible reviews. Also, having a positive review from Tom's hardware or one of the other sites is unrelated to the number of bad reviews from builders. ( ... and yes I'm aware that this would appear to be confirming Scat's earlier comments on low volume board manufacturers vs high volume PC makers).
All the best,
R
RL8093,
I would not hesitate to build a box. They are reliable as any box I have ever purchased. I have had issues from boxes I built, to issues with purchases from box makers.
Unfortunately you can get a bad part right off of the shelf, but for the majority of purchases I have made this is not the case.
In this build the only problem I had encountered was the Sandforce controller from the new OCZ SSD.
On the OCZ site they had a firmware fix that I had applied and it did the job.
I have spent plenty of hours with Dell support years back, as they read off of pre-written question answer cards . That was time consuming and frustrating as I personally felt a few of them are not even qualified to call themselves techs.
That was my experience, and I am not putting down Dell as I feel they have excellent products ( I wouldn't hesitate to own their products ) and they do have a support there for you when needed, as compared to a do it yourself, you are the tech.
If I was to purchase Dell I would definitely take Scats advice as I feel he has solid knowledge and I trust his opinion.
As far as parts...
There are many MB manufacturers and you can shop around so you can avoid Asus if you do not feel comfortable.
My advice is do it yourself if you are comfortable with being the tech. There are a large amount of PC sites to help with direction to resolve problems you may encounter.
The parts installed will really be the homework for you to do. Go to all the well known and respected review sites and research the components you are interested in.Look up passmark scores also if possible.
You will come out with a good amount of info to inform you as to the best purchase you can make.
I would not hesitate to build a box. They are reliable as any box I have ever purchased. I have had issues from boxes I built, to issues with purchases from box makers.
Unfortunately you can get a bad part right off of the shelf, but for the majority of purchases I have made this is not the case.
In this build the only problem I had encountered was the Sandforce controller from the new OCZ SSD.
On the OCZ site they had a firmware fix that I had applied and it did the job.
I have spent plenty of hours with Dell support years back, as they read off of pre-written question answer cards . That was time consuming and frustrating as I personally felt a few of them are not even qualified to call themselves techs.
That was my experience, and I am not putting down Dell as I feel they have excellent products ( I wouldn't hesitate to own their products ) and they do have a support there for you when needed, as compared to a do it yourself, you are the tech.
If I was to purchase Dell I would definitely take Scats advice as I feel he has solid knowledge and I trust his opinion.
As far as parts...
There are many MB manufacturers and you can shop around so you can avoid Asus if you do not feel comfortable.
My advice is do it yourself if you are comfortable with being the tech. There are a large amount of PC sites to help with direction to resolve problems you may encounter.
The parts installed will really be the homework for you to do. Go to all the well known and respected review sites and research the components you are interested in.Look up passmark scores also if possible.
You will come out with a good amount of info to inform you as to the best purchase you can make.
If you want to have fun trying out your video cards run this high def clip.
Graphics look amazing.
It is defaulted to 360. Switch to highest setting you can
<iframe width="560" height="345" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/mxhrc5D-iSk" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
Screen capture from my monitor
Graphics look amazing.
It is defaulted to 360. Switch to highest setting you can
<iframe width="560" height="345" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/mxhrc5D-iSk" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
Screen capture from my monitor
Panasonic High def clip
Nature
Full screen mode is excellent !
Switch default setting to highset
<iframe width="560" height="345" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/hB53k2kPvCk" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
Screen captured image
Nature
Full screen mode is excellent !
Switch default setting to highset
<iframe width="560" height="345" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/hB53k2kPvCk" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
Screen captured image
As you're already a long-time Dell customer, a quality choice to consider would be to buy a Precision T3500 from Dell Outlet at the right price. The Precision line is primarily intended for business customers, so their tech support is top-notch.
Dell Precision is almost like "a different world" from their "consumer" machines.
RL8093, after my mobo started playing up, I got pretty frustrated. I had no tech support this time around!!!. Being a newbie at this operation, I knew this was bound to happen. Just my luck.
I tried different ways of diagnosing the issue with help from the Corona boys and various forums. I slept over it and woke up calmer and more dedicated. Eventually, we figured out the issue was with the mobo (it took 3 days).
If I had bought from Dell, I assume they would have tested this out before sending me the box; I would have that safety net. Hence, it seems that Dell, HP etc products are better as you don't get to experience these issues before the item gets to you.
In regards to PCs, I have tried Dell and Toshiba with very unfavorable results, so doing my own build wasn't too much on the down side for me. Also, I really don't like their customer service. I would rather have a robot say the same thing to me as I would understand it doesn't have a brain.
The advantages of a self-build are many. You can choose your parts and have the best, for a bargain (if you have patience). You know what you have inside there. Also, if you modify a pre-build, it voids your warranty in most cases.
After my ASUS had these issues, I researched a little and found a lot of -ve reviews. However, there was bound to be more -ve reviews as statistics show that 73% will post a -ve review as opposed to 22% that will post a +ve review. I am a statistic here, as I gave a -ve review to ASUS (but +ve for their customer service as they will ship mine out in 24-48 hrs and I get to keep the old board), but no +ve reviews for all the items that functioned.
I also know people that have self builds and have no issues with them. I guess in the end, it's just a matter of luck whichever way you go.
Good luck to you
I tried different ways of diagnosing the issue with help from the Corona boys and various forums. I slept over it and woke up calmer and more dedicated. Eventually, we figured out the issue was with the mobo (it took 3 days).
If I had bought from Dell, I assume they would have tested this out before sending me the box; I would have that safety net. Hence, it seems that Dell, HP etc products are better as you don't get to experience these issues before the item gets to you.
In regards to PCs, I have tried Dell and Toshiba with very unfavorable results, so doing my own build wasn't too much on the down side for me. Also, I really don't like their customer service. I would rather have a robot say the same thing to me as I would understand it doesn't have a brain.
The advantages of a self-build are many. You can choose your parts and have the best, for a bargain (if you have patience). You know what you have inside there. Also, if you modify a pre-build, it voids your warranty in most cases.
After my ASUS had these issues, I researched a little and found a lot of -ve reviews. However, there was bound to be more -ve reviews as statistics show that 73% will post a -ve review as opposed to 22% that will post a +ve review. I am a statistic here, as I gave a -ve review to ASUS (but +ve for their customer service as they will ship mine out in 24-48 hrs and I get to keep the old board), but no +ve reviews for all the items that functioned.
I also know people that have self builds and have no issues with them. I guess in the end, it's just a matter of luck whichever way you go.
Good luck to you
Completely OT...
( although a nice sound setup may be part of your build )
I really enjoy background sounds of the meditation style when trading.
Peaceful
<iframe width="420" height="345" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/43yvlrNl3Xc" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
( although a nice sound setup may be part of your build )
I really enjoy background sounds of the meditation style when trading.
Peaceful
<iframe width="420" height="345" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/43yvlrNl3Xc" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
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