Would you buy prebuilt if you had the money?

[Wizrdwarts]

Re: Would you buy prebuilt if you had the money?

It's part of the deal when you build your own computer. You get more choices and hardware at cheaper prices. But with the choices you need to get familiar with hardware and know how to deal with problems.

I think it's definitely worth it for your primary rig, if it was something like an office rig, I'd consider a prebuilt at a reasonable price.

[=98=]

Re: Would you buy prebuilt if you had the money?

My computer i built would work fine, but because I like to fiddle, overclock and put water near it, soon enough it breaks

[AlecJ32]

Re: Would you buy prebuilt if you had the money?

I used to think building computers was the fun part, but eventually I moved on to bigger and better things.

As far as computers go, being able to build one is like being able to change the oil in your car. There's much further places to go, yet most people never go any further.

[CaptainKirk]

Re: Would you buy prebuilt if you had the money?

Prebuilt computers are generally good product, but it's a hit or a miss on price and the exact customization. For one, I only purchase pre-built laptops. Desktops are too easy to build yourself to pay someone else to do it.

[Kreepy Kitteh =^o.O^=]

Re: Would you buy prebuilt if you had the money?

No... Takes 20-30 minutes to build a decent gaming PC..

[[Expletive Deleted]]

Re: Would you buy prebuilt if you had the money?

No... Takes 20-30 minutes to assemble a decent gaming PC..

Fixed it there...
It can take quite a bit longer to install the OS; flash the latest BIOS; install all of the latest chipset, audio, network and video drivers; Service Packs if your installation didn't already include them; Windows Updates; and finally games. And then to troubleshoot the inevitable gremlin attacks...
Building a new PC for the first time can take quite a while from assembly to completed build that is ready to game. Re-imaging after you've done it the first time on a build doesn't take all that long, thankfully.

[=98=]

Re: Would you buy prebuilt if you had the money?

The reason why it takes me more than 10 minutes to build a PC is that 99% of the time, there are screws in the most awkward places ever and it requires a double jointed person to be able to get them in :rawr

[Elxx]

Re: Would you buy prebuilt if you had the money?

Fixed it there...
It can take quite a bit longer to install the OS; flash the latest BIOS; install all of the latest chipset, audio, network and video drivers; Service Packs if your installation didn't already include them; Windows Updates; and finally games. And then to troubleshoot the inevitable gremlin attacks...
Building a new PC for the first time can take quite a while from assembly to completed build that is ready to game. Re-imaging after you've done it the first time on a build doesn't take all that long, thankfully.

Yeah, building a new computer is usually at least an afternoon project, but it just feels so damn good when everything's installed and working perfectly. If nothing breaks horribly, you get a great sense of accomplishment. Besides, if you buy pre-built, you have to reformat and scrounge up the latest drivers anyways if you don't want a computer clogged with crapware.

[TheEn|gma]

Re: Would you buy prebuilt if you had the money?

As others have mentioned I really enjoy sticking it all together and seeing it come to life.

[[Expletive Deleted]]

Re: Would you buy prebuilt if you had the money?

The reason why it takes me more than 10 minutes to build a PC is that 99% of the time, there are screws in the most awkward places ever and it requires a double jointed person to be able to get them in :rawr

For me it's either screws where only a girl-handed individual can reach them, cables in awkward locations/tiny little audio/USB leads in all different configurations so they have to be put on the headers individually, getting cut on sharp metal case edges and bleeding inside the case, or being drunk while assembling the PC. Well, okay, it's a combination of all of the above. :laugh:

[Kreepy Kitteh =^o.O^=]

Re: Would you buy prebuilt if you had the money?

The worst part is putting heatsinks on, they suck.. Everything else is pretty easy to understand even if it's your first time.

[=98=]

Re: Would you buy prebuilt if you had the money?

Nah, worst is the top left screw in the motherboard. You have to bend your hand in between the heatsink and rest of the case. Hurts (ohno)

[Wizrdwarts]

Re: Would you buy prebuilt if you had the money?

Intel stock heatsink pushpins.

[[21CW]HIVictim]

Re: Would you buy prebuilt if you had the money?

I will never buy pre-built. Main reason is that you cannot upgrade, upgrading voids warranty. Some companies put a sticker in the case that tears if you open the panel the wrong way, so then they send the PC back to you on your dime refusing to operate on it. Blah blah, so much hassle.

Lets also look that most PC parts have 5 or more year warranties, many are lifetime. Those warranties are all void if you buy pre-built, your warranty is only as good as the hundreds of dollars you shell out for your 2 year warranty from the retailer.

Building your own makes your PC yours, nobody in the world can claim the PC as their own creation other than you. You get to build it, wire it exactly how you want, do the cable management (a simple task that costs $100+ from retailers, god forbid you open the case and do it yourself and rip that sticker...), you can also overclock... I love overclocking and absolutely hate locked BIOS's.

That said, some people should NOT build their own PC. I believe nobody should have a pre-built PC, but I also believe that not everybody should build their own. If you don't think you can do it, find someone locally that can do it for you. Everybody has a friend of a friend and most will do it for a 6 pack of beer. :thumbsup:

[jesus]

Re: Would you buy prebuilt if you had the money?

For me it's either screws where only a girl-handed individual can reach them, cables in awkward locations/tiny little audio/USB leads in all different configurations so they have to be put on the headers individually, getting cut on sharp metal case edges and bleeding inside the case, or being drunk while assembling the PC. Well, okay, it's a combination of all of the above. :laugh:

All those things sound so familiar hahaha... I think the most annoying part for me is trying to unplug something, but it takes a lot of force and I'm not sure if I would break it or not. Everything seems so delicate

I will never buy pre-built. Main reason is that you cannot upgrade, upgrading voids warranty.

I stopped reading right there. Why don't you name a few brands that make it so that you void the warranty when you take it apart?

You can't use Dell or HP, though, since my family has those brands and both computers have after-market parts in them and the HP is still under warranty. I think my Dell isn't anymore because it's too old. Doesn't matter, though, because the after-market parts I have in it are still under warranty. :)

I'm pretty sure all brands stopped with the stickers a while ago.