Custom or Pre-Assembled?

[Riyonuk]

Which is better and why?

[wbc1228]

It depends.
I build my own computer only because I enjoy doing so.
There is not much cost saving (if any at all).
I just want to be able to pick the parts (computer case, cpu, ram, fan, graphics card, etc.)
I don't need tech support since I can fix it on my own.

Unless you know how to fix the computer, I would recommend getting one that is already pre-assembled. You get tech support in case something goes wrong. Often time, you can get a decent pre-assembled computer relatively cheap (cheaper than building one yourself). Check on sites such as www.fatwallet.com for computer deals.

[Duo_Maxwell]

Yeah it kinda depends on how "computer tech-savvy" you are. Both have some pro and cons. Here's just one of many examples, pre-built computers are typically not very upgradable (sometimes they can be depending on who manufactuers it) but they do have tech support and warranties. Parts you buy to build one typically have warranties too, but if you don't know that much about computers you may have trouble diagnosing the problemenough to narrow it down to a certain part.

Many people think building a computer is hard, and it's really not provided you have the right parts and maybe someone to advise you on what to get. Putting it together is the easy part though, properly maintaining with little to no computer knowledge is the harder part.

Edit: When it's all said and done though, you may want to custom build one if you're going to gaming on it alot, or at least get a custom pre-build to your specs from an online distributor. Because most of the pre-assembled computers you buy in stores like CC or BB are not terribly "gaming friendly", at least not of the box.

[whitereflection]

If you know how to install the parts yourself and could do without tech support, there shouldn't be any question on this matter. Oftentimes, pre-assembled computers use proprietary parts - which means you won't be able to upgrade it easily. A good place to shop if you're looking to customize it yourself is Newegg.

[Kayden]

If you have to ask, I'd recommend just going to Dell.com and looking at their XPS line.

Building your own used to save you a lot of money, but now big names can make them so cheap it can actually cost more to build your own. However, thats also because the components you use yourself are a much higher quality.

You lose the warranty and tech support on the system as a whole, but all the parts are warrantied by their respective makers. I know some PSU companies even extend their warranties to components their PSUs damage.

[Riyonuk]

Well I'm no idiot, and I do have some good guides on whats required for bulding a pc. If I was going to buy a pre-assembled pc, it sure wouldnt be from dell. It would probably be from http://www.abs.com/ or another good gaming company. But like you guys said, I wouldnt be able to upgrade it without a little hassle. And I do like to have a warrant for every part and be able to know exactly what I have in my case.

[Vinny]

That's why I built my own... I know that I can upgrade pretty much everything if I wanted too.

Hell, I could go to a whole different platform by getting a new mobo and processor.

[Negative]

If you have to ask, I'd recommend just going to Dell.com and looking at their XPS line.

Building your own used to save you a lot of money, but now big names can make them so cheap it can actually cost more to build your own. However, thats also because the components you use yourself are a much higher quality.

You lose the warranty and tech support on the system as a whole, but all the parts are warrantied by their respective makers. I know some PSU companies even extend their warranties to components their PSUs damage.

Mind your step w/ Dell though, as my company ordered a computer from them last month, and since you can "customize" your own computer (which customize means pick from a variety of premade bundles) we had it delivered w/ no graphics card. We did this because we were to install our previous card, and to our surprise, we received a motherboard w/ a PCIx1 slot. Our only solution to this problem was return it for one w/ a bundled video card. After this, I don't think we are going to order from Dell anymore.

[Kayden]

But is that really THEIR fault? :-P

Don't get me wrong, I work on Dells all day long and cuss the shit out of them, but they beat HP and Gateway by a bajillion miles. They also have very comprehensive warranties.

Mind your step w/ Dell though, as my company ordered a computer from them last month, and since you can "customize" your own computer (which customize means pick from a variety of premade bundles) we had it delivered w/ no graphics card. We did this because we were to install our previous card, and to our surprise, we received a motherboard w/ a PCIx1 slot. Our only solution to this problem was return it for one w/ a bundled video card. After this, I don't think we are going to order from Dell anymore.

[whitereflection]

If you're going the customizing route, pay attention to the warranties of your parts, especially for memory. A lot of them have "lifetime warranties", but what that means varies depending on the manufacturer; some do offer coverage for as long as you have the product, but others take it to means as the [retail] life of the product (i.e., how long the product is in stores).

[Vinny]

If you're going the customizing route, pay attention to the warranties of your parts, especially for memory. A lot of them have "lifetime warranties", but what that means varies depending on the manufacturer; some do offer coverage for as long as you have the product, but others take it to means as the [retail] life of the product (i.e., how long the product is in stores).

Yeah, that's a good point. Also, companies like Dells only cover their items if they weren't tampered with. If you open you case, many times they'll just say you screwed up.

I love having individual warrenties. Most of my problems have at least a 3 year warrenty or longer and the rest have 2 years. My Corsair memory's warrenty will be intact even if I overclock it as long as I don't go too far (and they allow for some decent OCing room).

[espy605]

Building your own used to save you a lot of money, but now big names can make them so cheap it can actually cost more to build your own. However, thats also because the components you use yourself are a much higher quality.

Perfect summary. If you want quality and customizablilitlity, you build your own. If you want cheap and relatively hasslefree, you go for prefab.