Prebuilt Computers...Not Such A Good Deal

RyuuNoSenshi · Post by **RyuuNoSenshi** » Mon Jul 21, 2003 4:07 am

Lately I've become inreasingly bothered by prebuilt computers. The problem is that prebuilts are ill equipped to deal with heat. For one most have really small cases, where all of the components are stacked on top of each other(hard drive on top of the CD-ROMs, it slowly bakes as the heat from the computer raises to the top and collects). I've noticed this in all the prebuilts I've come across in my years of computer repairs(mostly for friends and the like). HP, Dell, and Gateway are really bad for heat. My mother bought a Gateway and it got REALLY hot(we're talking CPU lock up hot) So I changed cases for her so it would be vent a little better. When I opened it up I found that it didn't even have a CPU fan. A CPU fan! How can you not have a CPU fan?! Unfortunatly my shock as always repeated when I open another prebuilt case to take alot inside. They have only a few fans(sometimes none!) and they usually wear out really quick and leave the computer to overheat.

Now as any fairly seasoned computer tech person can tell you, heat is the computer's worst enemy. Heat increases the resistance across a circuit, as the circuit becomes more resistant to the flow of electrons, more heat is produced, thereby increasing the resistance. As the resistance increases the circuits' lifespan is reduced by quite a bit(this is due to the copper wire wearing from the flow of electricity...the same thing that happens in a light bulb happens in the CPU, just minus the glowing...well unless your computer catches fire*is reminded of largo of megatokyo and chuckles*). So prebuilt systems generaly have shorter lifespans than those you build yourself(if you keep heat in mind). Since the RAM and the CPU are really delicate parts of the computer they are generally the first to go when a system overheats(I had to replace the RAM in my mom's computer when I changed cases). So cooling your system is paramount. The similar thing happens to a circuit when it gets cold. As the heat decreases so does the resistance across the circuit(if you could lower the temp of your computer to near absolute zero the CPU's circuits would become super conductting, which means they offer no resistance to the flow of electricity or magnetic fields. But at near absolute zero...your hard drive would no longer spin due to the lubricants in the bearings of the motor being frozen).

So in the end...all those of you who have prebuilts(me as well since I haven't the money to build the one I want yet) get a bigger case and more and powerful fans. And remember the CPU NEEDS a fan otherwise it won't survive for very long. My friend built his computer(he asked for my assistance so I helped him pick some good parts, but he picked the case) has a really nice case that stays super cool all the time. His case is a Lian Li (http://www.lianli.com) and it's fairly big. He also has 6 fairly large fans(4 80mm fans, the fifth is bigger than the 80mm, and then he has a really nice CPU fan and heatsink).

Ohh...and remember pants!

TopCat · Post by **TopCat** » Mon Jul 21, 2003 4:22 am

lol! the gateways we got at work are those profile sons of bitches and they're watercooled, but the hard drives die faster than fuck! Serious, watch out for that.

oh, and mbm tells me that my cpu is at its average, 56 celcius. i can't cool a pc.

Post by **Martin Blank** » Mon Jul 21, 2003 4:30 am

Gateway does not, as far as I can see, ship anything water-cooled. The chances for problems are simply toog great for a major company to deal with, particularly since there's nothing exotic in the Profiles.

RyuuNoSenshi · Post by **RyuuNoSenshi** » Mon Jul 21, 2003 6:57 am

Watercooling is an Ok idea, but in reality it has a lot of problems. For one moisture is rather bad for things like computer motherboards(or any component within a computer for that matter). Air cooled is safer, but I'd like to build a computer case that's actually a mini freezer, but again there's that moisture issue. Ohh well...you win some... you loose some. ^^;

spoon · Post by **spoon** » Mon Jul 21, 2003 8:32 pm

gah, prebuilts == teh devil

I have a old Pentium 2 Gateway which was prebuilt, which I am attempting to upgrade with bits salvaged from some older computers I have. Not only is the innards of the Gateway tangled and space-lacking, but also the power supply is an un-compromisable obstacle that refuses to yield even to the brute force of a wedged screwdriver. Due to that and the fact that the power cords are an upheavaled mess, I cannot put another HDD in, or exchange the aging cd-rom drive for a newer, more compatible drive.

RyuuNoSenshi · Post by **RyuuNoSenshi** » Tue Jul 22, 2003 1:37 am

I honestly think prebuilts are built that way for a couple of reasons. Reason one they don't want people messing with them. Reason two they make upgrades harder so you'll just buy a new computer. Since all of the hardware is cramed in a small space, the computer's CPU lifespan is cut nearly in half if it's run for even a moderately long time. This ensures that you'll go back to them and get a new one. The only prebuilts that I like are those like Alienware. I say all prebuilts get the screwdriver, for they are not l33t!

Post by **Martin Blank** » Tue Jul 22, 2003 2:30 am

My experience is that some prebuilts are better than others. Most of the systems sold to companies are designed to be expanded minimally -- throwing in a Firewire card for video, or a special controller card for some unique purpose. The Dell Optiplex and the Gateway Profile fit this bill to a T. They're not designed for expansion; they're designed for minimal maintenance once they're in place.

Having used the Dell Dimension series at one level or another for close to five years now, these are well-built systems that are about on par with any custom-built system of similar specs. The Dimensions are available with SB Live and Audigy 2, some of the latest ATI and nVidia video cards, and while it may not be as tweaked and tuned as something from Alienware, the benefits to an average gamer of the warranty and support outweigh the benefits an additional thousand dollars or so will provide.

Seir · Post by **Seir** » Tue Jul 22, 2003 2:33 am

While on the note of PC parts, what are some good onilne vendors (btw, keep in note that they do have to ship in the U.S.) for buying PC parts?

Elric2056 · Post by **Elric2056** » Tue Jul 22, 2003 2:54 am

Seir: Based on experince I'd be reluctant to buy online ever again. There are too many problems that can happen when dealing with shipping sensitive computer equipment. When you add to that the added possible hassle of returning/getting replacements for things that are under warranty you can easily get stuck without a computer because of problems related to getting repairs taken care of...

RyuuNoSenshi · Post by **RyuuNoSenshi** » Tue Jul 22, 2003 3:37 am

Seir, probably the best online computer part place is tigerdirect (http://www.tigerdirect.com). Everyone I know who has bought from them has been happy with their services. They're awesome

Now Martin, I agree that some prebuilts are pretty awesome, but building your own system gives you so much control over your system. It gives you the ability to make the system fit your peronnality. And depending on where you shop for parts it can cost less too(Unless of course you're like me, then you need fastest CPU, graphics card, and so on..then..well price can be an issue..lol

;; ) Alot of prebuilts come with alot of stuff that depending on your needs can be useless(all the software packages on the hard drive for instance). But for those who don't use the computer much or know alot about it, prebuilts are perfect. My grandmother has an HP Pavillion and for her that's just fine, she'll never write complex C++ programs, or play CPU cycle eating games(like UT 2003*drools*). So for some I suppose it's ok.

But my personal taste is to build my own. And as for tech support, I'll never use it so why pay for it? I mean I've dealt with tech support people, it wasn't pleasent.

Ohhh and pants! mwhahaha

Seir · Post by **Seir** » Tue Jul 22, 2003 3:54 am

Out of curiosity, what's everyone take on prebuilts from companies such as Alienware or Falcon Northwest?

thegrimace · Post by **thegrimace** » Tue Jul 22, 2003 6:30 pm

in my opinion the only way to get what you want is too build it yourself. as for prebuilt machines a perfer compaq there easy to open up, and can be upgraded rather easy. as well as i just love the new compaq bios because it auto detects new harware on first boot you dont have to go inot it and tell it about changes.

still i always build my own systems. its not that bad either i can build an almost top of the line system for under $2000 canadian. you just gotta know where to shop, and who your dealing with. i buy parts from a small store in my city where they don't know shit so i can talk all supperiour to them and get them to drop the price by telling them there are over charging. of course if you know someone you fixes comps for a lving and want him to build your system cause you don't know shit, then go mow his lawn or something, hell i'd rather build a pc then mow the lawn when its 40 celcius outside

spoon · Post by **spoon** » Tue Jul 22, 2003 7:12 pm

Tiger Direct is pretty good, but shy away from their outlet stores. They'll try to lure you into buying more than you need, the devils! I don't need a 600 watt power supply, and my system runs just fine without eight fans! GAH!

or maybe it's just the one I went to...

Evil Ghaleon Strife · Post by **Evil Ghaleon Strife** » Wed Jul 23, 2003 6:03 am

I hate my HP... the case is so freaking tiny that installing a CD-RW drive was an excercise in PAIN. Adding a new HD will probably be just as fun... (/sarcasm)

RyuuNoSenshi · Post by **RyuuNoSenshi** » Wed Jul 23, 2003 1:14 pm

HP's are the devil. I haven't met an HP yet that I didn't despise. X.x

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