Ask HN: Where to buy a desktop PC?

I would likewise suggest that you build your own, not so much for cost (although it does tend to be cheaper), but for satisfaction. Just make sure your RAM voltage <= CPU/Motherboard supported voltage. Using 1.75v RAM in a board that only likes 1.65v RAM makes an unstable system :)

Having said that, I've always found Dell desktops to be really good. A bit less extra crap pre-installed than some other manufacturers (I'm looking at you, HP), and you have a 50% chance at good support (I've called in 4 times over the years - 2 were teh sux0r, 2 were great help). So if you gotta buy online, Dell is my recommendation.

If you build your own, try and find a local shop (here we have bCom and Memory Express) - they will almost always be cheaper than Future Shop and Best Buy.

I would get the parts (from Newegg, Fry's etc.) and build one on my own - it turns out to cost lesser and lets you control what goes into making your PC. That, and there's always the good feeling of building something from scratch for personal use :)

My suggestion would to buy a high quality laptop. It has been a long while (san gaming rigs) since I found a laptop that wouldn't perform every one of my needs.

If you do feel you need a desktop (if you want dual SLI graphic cards or TBs of hard disks in raid 1), I have to agree with the concensus and build your own. It is fun to learn, easy to do, and cheaper.

Falcon Northwest has always made some outstanding PCs. http://www.falcon-nw.com