Why Build Your Own Anymore?

[Sharif]

I know some people like the customization they can do when they build their own PC, but for others who are trying to save money or something - WHY!?!?

When you buy from a company like Dell, or HP, they cost isn't that much different but you get a lot more... plus warranty?

So what is the logic behind building your own PC anymore?

[flanzig1]

For the people that need a surfer and some of the other basic apps, then going with a prebuilt big name is the cost effective way to go.
You start to get into the scale of economy on self builds once you start into the $500 to $600 range(for the PC only). And you can have a range of part options that isn't available from the prebuilts.

[Staren]

I don't know about other people, but that 'more' that you get with prebuilts I don't want. I haven't ever had a brand name computer that I didn't have to either buy a new copy of Windows for, or spend at least a few days ripping out a bunch of crapware I didn't want.

And besides the price break may be there for low to mid-range systems now, but pre-built gaming and high-end boxes are still over priced and custom builds are still cheaper.

[chuck4456]

Your pretty well stuck with what you have with a prebuilt. Rarely can you upgrade your system's parts. Keep in mind (also) that those warranties are fantastic as long as you buy your replacement parts from the manufacturer. That's the catch. I had a DELL that had a hard drive blowout. DELL wanted 200.00 for a 56.00 hard drive. I let that warranty fly. Prebuilts normally use cut rate, proprietary POWER SUPPLIES as well. If you don't have a great PSU, then you (simply) don't have a system. Building your own makes you feel good. You should try it.

[Cricket]

Originally Posted by Sharif I know some people like the customization they can do when they build their own PC, but for others who are trying to save money or something - WHY!?!? When you buy from a company like Dell, or HP, they cost isn't that much different but you get a lot more... plus warranty? So what is the logic behind building your own PC anymore?

Because I can.

Cricket

[newbuilder14]

You're right, why should you build your own?

Really something you need to ask yourself. Do you want to be creative and have fun building your own or have the peace of mind of a pre-built machine.

[Cricket]

Originally Posted by newbuilder14 You're right, why should you build your own? Really something you need to ask yourself. Do you want to be creative and have fun building your own or have the peace of mind of a pre-built machine.

I actually have more peace of mind with my own builds than I do with name brand computers. If something goes wrong I can usually fix it pretty quickly using standard replacement parts. But with name brand computers (the one's that are out of warranty) it can be a real pain dealing with proprietary parts.

Cricket

[piXel]

I built my own because no prebuilds will give me the exact parts i want its simple really, and companies like dell and HP there so boring the average person will have a PC with there brand stuck on it, building one has helped me to understand more about computers and how they work and it is alot cheaper then buying from a prebuild, i meen try buying 2 gigs of ram, 7900 GT and a 3800 X2 processor PC with a flat screen monitor for £810 from a prebuild.

[Jimmy0]

I like building my own because that way you can get exactly the parts you want, and usually cheaper than a retail unit - especially if it is a higher end system.

Also I like to learn how things work and put together from building my own, and fixing things and making it correct gives me a sense of satisfaction that a prebuilt one would not.

Also usually prebuilt ones usually pile on bucketloads of useless applications that I do not want nor need, which can be a boring task to remove, whereas with building it yourself; you get exactly what you want.

[mevensen]

Not to mention, it's what some of us find fun and rewarding.

Same reason some people like to work on their cars, do their own gardening, or do repairs on their home. Yes, there is an economic angle which comes into play at the higher end, and the question of choice and control, but the bottom line for me is that it is satsifying and fun to do a build or upgrade on my system.

If it wasn't fun or bringing me a personal sense of satisfaction, I would definitely spend the extra $$$ for a custom built system from a vendor (I have before when I didn't have the time/energy to put into a new build).

[Sharif]

Originally Posted by Cricket Because I can. Cricket

I'm your number one fan now.

[hitchface]

I built mine because I was sick of looking at computers with proprietary parts that either sucked or were unnecessary. Building offers a few things:

A learning experience
A very in-depth knowledge of your investment
Generally cheaper price, depending on what you do with themachine

Thats just a few things, but anyone I've spoken to that has built their own will never go back to prebuilt.

[CrazyPenguinDude]

Gaming is why i build my own PC. In order to get a PC with a decent to good graphics card, from someone like dell, your price will skyrocket. I also hate how they advertise, "With ONE of the most powerful graphics card of 2006, the ATI Radeon 9550!"

And yes the price is better when u start talking costs of over $750 ish dollars...

[Strider]

I agree with what a lot of people have already stated, but I'll add my .02 cents to this thread. The reason I build isn't for the savings I get, but rather the quality of the computer that I get. I have no one to blame if my computer goes kaput but myself; however, with a prebuilt I'm at the mercy of the company that assembled it. While it's nice to have a warranty for the whole computer, the computer parts that go into my computer have individual warranties and that's enough for me. I've found problem solving easier with a computer that I have built versus a brand name computer, for I usually have a good idea what part went bad on the computer before I open the case with the computer that I have built. With a prebuild since I don't know who did the build job or don't know some of the minor components (although they could end up major components) that went into the build (like the power supply). The quality is generally a little lower (but not by much) with a prebuilt; although if I were to buy a prebuilt (I doubt it) I would differently pick the company I feel does quality builds more so than the price.

[PCgamerX]

because of what everybody else said, and because it is fun.

[mbiggs]

For the simple fact that no one computer is the same when it comes to custom, and it's a showing of personality and talent.

[Moronicus]

I haven't build one yet, hopefully all the parts will be in by the end of next week and I can start building.

What let me to decide to build my own computer is the lousy experiences I've had with pre-build ones, e.g. I wanted to put in a graphic card and found out, after buying the card of course (lol), that the mobo didn't havea pci-e slot.... Imagine that, eh?

And even though I'll be saving big bucks with the computer I'm going to build, the saving of € is just a minor part of my motivation. What motivates me is the simple wish to have a computer that will meet my needs, thats it. A computer that has 'quality' written on each and every component, only the software I need and want, and which I know like the back of my hand.

What I already learned is how satisfying it is to finally know something about machines that I've been using for years but never really knew the first thing about. And that knowledge is to me priceless since I'm gradually actually becoming aware of my options. These days its much harder for the computer/parts advertisements to fool me. Before I started reading here you could have fooled me that a 7600GS is the best graphic card there currently is -- what did I know?! lol And that ignorance is dangerous as it let me to buy a pre-build that in no way met my needs, but hey, once the money is spend you're stuck with it!

And I'd say that even if you aren't interested in building your own computer, as long as you want to buy a computer, it is in your best interest to learn about the parts and the software just so you can save yourself from purchasing a pre-build that doesn't deliver what you need.

[doubledragon5]

Boy to I agree.. Building your own, not only gives your satisfaction, piece of mind, but also the knowledge on how they work and how to fix them when they go wrong.. I have a Dell that is 6 yrs old and works great.. My daughter has it now and doesn't have any problem..

I have built 5 in the last 4 yrs for family and now one has had any major issues to report.. Sure When I built the system in my sig, I had issue, but since are resolved and works great.. At least in my system you have control of what quality of parts go in there.. Where as a prebuilt you have no clue what parts are being used.. And if you want more than the standard 90day warranty you have to shell out another $200-400 depending on how long you want the coverage to last....

[rspassey]

Quality,
Money Saved,
Fun,
Experience.

[Stuey]

I'm extremely particular about brands and specifications. With a company like Dell, they really do try to cut corners wherever they can. Whether it's by using as low an output PSU as possible, or slapping in 2MB buffer HDs in a build as standard, they really do cheap out.

There's also a great difference between system boards and overall configurations. A Dell system with a particular processor and memory, etc., will not perform as well as an Asus mobo-based system with all other components being equal. I don't know why or how, but such is the case with my parents' Dell 4600 and my media center box.

I also like building my own because I can then tinker with it and know what I'm doing. There's also overclocking and tweaking options available to you if you build your own. Additionally, you can make the system quieter or cooler. In the Dell I was referring to, there is one fan in the PSU and one fan ducted to the CPU. As such, for everyday low-usage tasks, the system is cool and extremely quiet. If I were to use their computer for the same tasks as I use mine, it would rev up and sound very annoying.

[noneoftheabove]

Have you ever talked to tech support with some company like dell. Its nearly impossible, they speak a million miles an hour and never know what I am talking about. I asked the dell guy if the processor slot on my computer was an LGA775 and it took him ten minutes to find it out! That is ridiculous. Whereas if you talk to you builder they can tell you whats in your computer and whats wrong with it because they actually had their own two hands in that computer.

[786ARS]

There is a sense of achievement when you have built a rig. I can proudly say I have the only one of that pc in the world, because I built it. That and you save alot of money when buying from the likes of newegg.

[herbuser]

Other than complete and autonomous control over your rig and its components, I can see no reason to build your own...

...oh yeah except for the fact that it is educationally enriching, infinitely cheaper in a world of exponential technological growth...and incredibly satisfying.

But hey dude don't sweat it...you're getting a SWell