I have only ever bought one PC and that was around 15 years ago, back then it was much cheaper to build your own but there was not the range of components that there are today.

Is it cheaper than buying ready built, that is a tricky question to answer, I would say yes and no. What you do get is exactly what you want in a build. You get decent components the one that ianjones87speaks of is not particularly good value in my opinion. But of course if things do go wrong and you have bought a pre-built system then at least you have someone to sort out your problems.

But building your own is much simpler today and you learn so much about computing whilst researching your components, building the PC and sorting out any problems that might arise and they do arise. But when it boots to the desktop you get a great buzz of satisfaction.

For a grand you will get a decent PC and this is the type of spec you should be looking for. Chillblast. This has a great processor and nice size SSD and a really good graphics card. If I was not a builder and had a grand to spend then I think this would do it for me.

I went for http://www.chillblast.com/Chillblast-Fusion-Blackbird.html.

Well pleased with it. + the Microsoft intellMouse 3.0

Also would it be completely cheeky of me to buy the very one you linked?

It's a good buy, as I said it is one that I would be tempted to buy if I was in the market for a pre-built, so go for it.

ordep

Is that not twice + the OP's budget?

Two words,your joking.

ordep

I tend to agree as they seem to use decent quality components where other's don't but still charge a premium.