Do prefer custom built PC or pre-built PC?

Daniel · Jan 31, 2019

Depending on your PC savvy nature you may prefer one or the other. In order to build your own gaming rig you will require a moderately good understanding of what is a good deal on hardware and what isn't and be able to do the research. If you buy one pre-built from Cyber Power, Dell, Alienware, etc then you typically just have to know what specs the games you want to play require and make sure they match.

Camelie · Feb 1, 2019

I prefer custom-built PCs, primarily because they end up being 'cheaper' for the quality of the end product, so to speak. If you're trying to optimize your specs at the lowest cost, it's highly unlikely that something premade is going to fit the bill. It'll take some research and shopping around, but the results tend to be a lot more impressive than something you buy already assembled.

AronD · Feb 1, 2019

I also prefer custom-built PC's, I believe you can get more 'value' for your money.
The only problem is that I'm very bad at building my own PC, I just don't know enough of it...
Also you could have waranty issues when building your own PC.

For the moment I'm having a gaming laptop, but I'm planning on building my own PC when I feel like I understand it enough ?

GioMatos · Feb 1, 2019

If you know a lot about computers or know someone who does, definitely go with custom-building your own. I am a MESS when it comes to computers, but my boyfriend knows a lot, so he built, his and is helping me build mine. Previously, I had one that was Pre-built and the difference is insane.

AronD · Feb 1, 2019

GioMatos said:
If you know a lot about computers or know someone who does, definitely go with custom-building your own. I am a MESS when it comes to computers, but my boyfriend knows a lot, so he built, his and is helping me build mine. Previously, I had one that was Pre-built and the difference is insane.

Can you ask your boyfriend where he orders the computer parts? I have a budget of around 1000 dollars, but there's sooo many options...

What would he do with this budget?

GioMatos · Feb 2, 2019

AronD said:
Can you ask your boyfriend where he orders the computer parts? I have a budget of around 1000 dollars, but there's sooo many options...

What would he do with this budget?

Hey! So first, please keep in mind that both my Boyfriend and I are from (and still living in) Venezuela. So maybe you have a bigger variety of options where you live in. All the stuff we have, we've bought here, inside of the country. He suggested the following:

Intel Core i5-8400 processor
Nvidia GTX 1060 graphics card (around $184) or Geforce Gtx 1060 evga 6gb ($260)
Asus prime z390-A motherboard (around $183)
Corsair vengance LPX 8gb 32000c16 RAM (Around $104)
EVGA 700B Power Supply ($80)
Samsung 860 Evo SSD 250 gb Hard drive ($60)
Cooler master Hyper RR-212x-20pm-A1 (38$)
Cooler master box TD500 ATX mid tower (70$)

rheez95 · Feb 2, 2019

Today , it's better to just buy a pre-built PC. PC specifications now are getting better and better. RAM is getting bigger and the processor are getting monster. You can find great specs in one PC.

Caguioa747 · Feb 2, 2019

If you can spare the time - build it. If you don't have time to watch and read guides and manuals, and don't have the time to go through the build process - buy a pre-built or find someone reliable who can help you.

walter12 · Feb 2, 2019

I would always recommend a custom built since you will have full control of which parts to choose as well as divide your budget and prioritize parts over others depending on usage.

Jelineex · Feb 2, 2019

I well prefer to choose the ready to use portable computer to avoid hassle. I am not good with choosing software compatibility. It will only add confusion and I might damage it. Buying a new one will be convenient. Plus, the product is durable and of good quality. I am also concern of the product warranty.

Heatman · Feb 2, 2019

Custom design and built PC is the best in my opinion especially if you are not well equipped to build your own PC games. When it's a custom built PC, you can bet on having one hell of great gaming experience with it and not experience any problems.

AronD · Feb 2, 2019

GioMatos said:
Hey! So first, please keep in mind that both my Boyfriend and I are from (and still living in) Venezuela. So maybe you have a bigger variety of options where you live in. All the stuff we have, we've bought here, inside of the country. He suggested the following:

Intel Core i5-8400 processor
Nvidia GTX 1060 graphics card (around $184) or Geforce Gtx 1060 evga 6gb ($260)
Asus prime z390-A motherboard (around $183)
Corsair vengance LPX 8gb 32000c16 RAM (Around $104)
EVGA 700B Power Supply ($80)
Samsung 860 Evo SSD 250 gb Hard drive ($60)
Cooler master Hyper RR-212x-20pm-A1 (38$)
Cooler master box TD500 ATX mid tower (70$)

Thank you so much!

I've saved it and will look at it later when I'm building my own PC!

Marchvran · Feb 3, 2019

There is no doubt to me that custom-building a PC is the way to go. The main factor you need to look at is finance. Prebuilt PCs are way overpriced. I have a $1300 AUD laptop right now. I regret making that purchase but I was not aware of custom-building when I bought it five years ago. I realise now that with the same amount of money, I could have gotten something that was three times as powerful perhaps. And if I didn't want something that powerful, but something as powerful as the one I have currently, then I needed to have only spent around $400 if custom-building. The differences are massive.

I would advise seeking assistance from tech savvy people at r/buildapc on Reddit. They can tell you everything you need to know, and can direct you through the entire process.

Ronwald · Feb 3, 2019

Building your own computer, in my opinion, will offer the best overall experience for anyone looking for a new system. Since pre-built computers have high markup costs, they will cost more on average than it will cost to build your own system. But this is not always the case, as pre-built manufacturers do get price discounts on components for buying them in bulk and in some cases—especially during sales—a pre-built system can offer a similar price-to-performance as a DIY system can. But, in the vast majority of cases, building your own computer will yield you more performance on a dollar-for-dollar basis.

bphlover · Feb 3, 2019

Building your own is better as you have the freedom to choose which ones you'll be adding to your PC. At the same time, you can definitely control how much you're willing to shell out for it.

gsergent · Feb 7, 2019

It will always be better, build your own PC, since you can choose your components one by one and have the best possible performance on your computer, but there are also good pre-built computers that can be very good to some extent!

Bravosi · Feb 8, 2019

Depends on the person. Back when I didn't have any knowledge about PC's I preferred pre-built. Now I'll rathe a custom built.

Nova · Feb 12, 2019

If you are planning to get anything pre built then Alienware is lot better option. And it can even make it easier for you to customize. But do note that custom built is lot better because you control some prices which brands often limit you with. So with custom built you can have more options for your configuration.

jaydac12 · Feb 12, 2019

If I weren't PC savvy, I'd still try and learn the basics of building my own rig. Why? Although this would take some time, at least I would get to learn and I get to save tons of money in the future. So, when games start to get tough on my rig I can upgrade the things my rig lack instead of going out and buying another pre-built rig.

leadtech · Feb 15, 2019

I prefer the custom build because in the near future you can easily go upgrade your rig.

Nova · Feb 20, 2019

leadtech said:
I prefer the custom build because in the near future you can easily go upgrade your rig.

I also prefer the custom built. I have realized that it is lot better investment when we make use of the custom built and we can upgrade any time we want. It works lot better that way.

EZpunk12 · Feb 24, 2019

Well I guess if you only enjoy playing your game and that's all you care about, go for a pre-built machine. Custom builders are way more flexible, the feeling of playing games in its most optimized settings and knowing that you built that machine, that's what keeps us building. It's about the knowledge we gain that satisfy us in choosing custom built.

If your pre-built suddenly got issues, bring it back to your dealer whereas we will take care of our own unit.

Nova · Mar 11, 2019

Most of the pre built machines don't have enough resources often. And you have to customize the RAM and the screen. In other context you can see that some machines are a bit older if they are pre built. So it all comes down to the custom built with more RAM and the graphics resources added in it.

Gopnik · Mar 24, 2019

I will always go and build the computer myself. I would never buy a pre-built system for a number of reasons. Firstly, building a PC yourself is always cheaper if you know what you are doing. Secondly, you select the parts to match your needs - which results in a more powerful system. The warranties on the pre-built machines 99% of the time are cut while on the other side you get full length warranties.

TopSilver · Mar 24, 2019

Most people I know have got custom built PCs. Mainly because it opens a wider range of flexibility in the type of system you could create. You can use anything you want and it doesn't have to be narrowed down to a specific graphic card persay or a specific type of motherboard. It's whatever you want to put in it and that's what makes it really popular these days.

Demon_skeith · Mar 25, 2019

I would love to build my own PC one day, but at the same time its just easier to buy a pre-built one. I'm not really big on PC gaming to warrant my own building.

TopSilver · Mar 25, 2019

Demon_skeith said:
I would love to build my own PC one day, but at the same time its just easier to buy a pre-built one. I'm not really big on PC gaming to warrant my own building.

I'm not too big on PC gaming either. I did build a computer once in school and that brings back fond memories of my childhood. Really enjoyed the times I used to have using it. Had nice LED lights on the inside and was a great experience using. Later on it did die on my though but was fun while I was using it.

Gh0st4unt3r · Mar 28, 2019

i love custom built but i have to admit i have a pre built one at this moment in time due to my old system going into RIP status

, In the future i will be looking to build a custom system again as it was so much fun putting everything together.

Nova · Mar 28, 2019

I think custom built is always better if you are planning to be a developer or the gamer. Because here the specs are in your control. And you should consider pre built if you don't use much of the computer other than browser and the spreadsheet. This way the PC seems to be divided in the specs side of the things as well.

LividJay · Mar 28, 2019

I built my current PC back in 2011. Still running strong and I just upgraded it a bit last year. You just can't go wrong with a custom build if you know what you're doing.

Nova · Mar 31, 2019

I think older PCs were good for many reasons. These days the PC parts tend to have more issues. And they end up getting damaged. I can tell you that it can be difficult to manage them in many ways. It's just better to self built and then control the configuration we can in the PCs. That's what I have noticed.