TOPIC: Custom built vs. Best buy

Let me start by saying I know little about computers, but I know more then I did. My present computer is old and out dated. So my question is do I custom build one or run down to Best Buy. I don't mind paying more for the custom made one but I'am not sure if it's worth the extra money. Here is what I am look at:

Magic Intel i7 X58 Dreamer

Intel Core i7 960 3.2GHz (Quad Core) 8000K
Intel Socket 1366 CPU fan
MSI X58M, DDR3, SLI & Cross Fire, GB LAN, IEEE
12GB (6x2GB) PC3 8500 DDR3 1066 Triple Channel
GeForce 210 1GB, PCI EXpress 16X dual head, HDMI
1000.0GB Hitachi 7200RPM SATA2, UDMA 300 32m cache
LG 22x DVD Recorder Dual Layer +R/RW -R/RW
Realtek HD digital audio (onboard)
Ethernet network adapter (onboard)
Cooler Master Elite 310 black, Side Window, front USB
Logisys 400W ATX Power Supply
Black Windows Keyboard, 104 key, PS/2
2-Button Wheel Mouse, PS/2 Black
Black Multimedia amplified stereo speakers

Thanks  David

First and most important question......  What are you going to use it for?  Gaming?  Streaming video?  or just regular internet access, reports and storage?

I will be using for both Business and entertainment purposes   

Excellant question from Stephen, as the two may have drastically different needs.

I recommend NOT to mix your business system with your personal system. If something were to happen to the system while "entertaining yourself" (I know, that sounds bad, but David's words), you may be out-of-business until the problem is corrected. The security risks are not worth it.

Not to mention, how are you going to handle the IRS and your business expenses? Good luck seperating the two. Even if the deduction is approved or denied, you will have opened the door (and red flagged yourself) for audits. Don't do it!

For the price of systems now-a-days, just get two systems.

Btw... I haven't purchased a computer/component in a brick & morter store in many years. I find better deals on-line. Most of my business goes to www.newegg.com . Other places I shop are www.tigerdirect.com , www.retrevo.com and a couple of others.

Oh... and there's no need to custom build a business computer, except for adding the software you want to run. A business class computer is more than sufficient for this business.If you want to custom build, and you have the skills, www.tigerdirect.com has some great build-it-yourself kits at great pricing for your gaming computer.

I guess I should have asked another question.  Are you looking at desktops or laptops.  I use both.  I found that if I use my laptop for reports, I spend more time on my reports since it is available in front of the tv with all those distractions.  When I switched my report to the desktop in my office, it cut my report time in half.

Desktops are easy to build and you get what you want.  There are not any "build your own" laptops at this time.  The components are too expensive by themselves.

When you say entertainment there is a vast range.  From high speed gaming, videos, music and pictures down to playing hearts or other games that don't take much processor speed.  The more info you give us, the more accurate response you will get.  Have fun.

It really depends on your needs. If you're not up to fixing things yourself, get a premade machine from ASUS, Dell, etc. If you're up to tinkering, build it yourself. I haven't bought a desktop I haven't built myself in 20 years.