New Computer: Buy or Build?

[David]

So, I'm about ready to get a permanent replacement for my broken desktop. I have a budget of no more than $400 to do it.

An immediate easy option is to pick up one of these:
http://emachines.com/products/products.html?prod=ET1331G-05w

However, I currently have a few perfectly good computer components: various empty ATX cases, a semi-decent graphics card (http://www3.pny.com/9800-GT-1024MB-PCIe-P2727C331.aspx), a 500W power supply, and a couple IDE hard drives that are big enough to suite my needs.

Can anyone recommend a bundle of hardware to complete a new computer that would be better than the eMachines but around the same price?

 

[figmentPez]

Do you have a copy of Windows to put on it if you build your own? (Alternately, are you willing to go with Linux?)

 

[David]

One of my existing hard drives has windows, but I don't know if it will run on the mostly new hardware. Usually though when I swap hard drives between computers they boot up windows just fine. I'm willing to go with Ubuntu if I can find a reliable way to run photoshop with Wine.

 

[sixpackshaker]

Be sure to hit Newegg.com to check their sales. I was going to recomend the PC brand I bought last year, but they only have a $580 model at this point.

You can build nearly as cheap as you can buy. Also check the price for OEM windows 7 if you pick up some hardware to match what you have now.

Was the power supply from the dead PC? if it is don't use it. It is likely what killed the last computer.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16883114084

At a quick glance, it looks like it has better parts.

 

[Matt²]

If you only have $400 I'd get a bought computer. Sure you can build one yourself, but in the end you might spend more. Plus the bought computer will come with Windows 7 so you don't have to fork out the extra money for that.

 

[Ross]

I bought a built computer, and it was a good price for what I got. Would have been about the same price if I built it myself.