New PC. Buy or Build?

[SoM]

always build

[Kills On Site]

always build

SoM speaks the truth.

[YourGrandpa]

I say you use the search feature and read the last 15 or so threads that asked this question.

[seremtan]

frankly, even if you build, £500 won't get you a decent rig. if you want decent graphics you'll need a 8800GT, and that'll set you back £200 by itself. throw in a mid-range nForce5 mobo, a reliable PSU (not generic), a core 2 and some decent RAM and that's probably £600-700 right there (oh and a copy of XP/vista). also, building is great if you know what you're doing, otherwise you're asking for trouble

decent gaming rigs just don't come that cheap

[vileliquid1026]

Build it... if you know how to, it will be cheaper for you.

[PhoeniX]

frankly, even if you build, £500 won't get you a decent rig. if you want decent graphics you'll need a 8800GT, and that'll set you back £200 by itself. throw in a mid-range nForce5 mobo, a reliable PSU (not generic), a core 2 and some decent RAM and that's probably £600-700 right there (oh and a copy of XP/vista). also, building is great if you know what you're doing, otherwise you're asking for trouble

decent gaming rigs just don't come that cheap

E6750 - £115 (or buy an E2180 for £50 and overclock to 3.2Ghz or so)
Gigabyte P35C - £76
500GB hard drive - £60
OCZ StealthXStream 600W - £44
Corsair 2GB memory kit - £41
DVD-RW: £20
8800GT 512Mb - £140

That's a fairly decent rig and comes in at £496

[Lieutenant Dan]

If you can build, build.

[+JuggerNaut+]

yeah yeah, we get it.

[SoM]

PS, less nights at the pub can get you a sweet build

[seremtan]

8800GT 512Mb - £140

sure, if he plans to wait a couple of months or buy generic

[Tsakali_]

does generic make a difference when it comes to fan/heatsink(s)?

[Scourge]

Pretty much the same process. Just built one myself. Most vid cards need a power cable now though.

[PhoeniX]

8800GT 512Mb - £140

sure, if he plans to wait a couple of months or buy generic

Still it's only £160 for a non-generic.
http://www.ebuyer.com/product/140089