Should I buy or build my own gaming computer?

Question

I have seen a lot of very expensive gaming computers and wonder if it makes sense to get components and build my own computer, or buy a pre-built computer from Dell or HP. I've noticed that if I buy the components, I end up spending more money and end up with roughly an equivalent powered computer that I have to find all the drivers for and make sure the integration goes well.

I figure Dell and HP both have massive volume discounts which is why their pre-built systems can cost less than me buying off the shelf items.

Which is the better way to go?

Answer 1

Huge companies such HP and Dell are buying mass quantities of the same hardware at a lower price ( for example if a computer is using a processor which is worth 200$ and the company buys like 1 thousand pieces they should get those for 100$/each or lower) . However, there is a little chance to find EXACTLY what do you need. But if you are a hardware expert , you can try building your own PC ( or pay a hardware expert to do it for you ).This method guarantees you that you will have exactly what you do need and you will be able to resolve almost all the hardware problems you will encounter.



If you found a computer that matches your required specifications at a reasonable price, you should buy it.



If not, try building it on your own.

Answer 2

Building your own isn't about saving money. It's about spending the same amount of money and ending up with a much better system.



If you think that you'd have to spend MORE to build your own system, then you don't know how to pick components. At worst, if you shop carefully, you will save a little money if you build your own system. At worst. It often works out about something like this...



Pre-built system $1300

Custom build $1250 (with better power supply, better motherboard, better graphics card, etc.)



But whatever your budget, you will find that you can build a better system for the same amount of money...or a little less. Except at the extreme low-end. But you won't be gaming at the extreme low-end.



As for installing the operating system, drivers, etc...

You will spend a LOT more time and effort setting up a pre-built system. This is because pre-built systems come loaded with many GBs worth of crapware, ad-ware, trial-ware, spyware and other bloatware. If you carefully get rid of all the crap, it might take you weeks to get it all working right.

With a custom build, you install only the software you want. It's time-consuming, but it's easier and faster than trying to clean out all the garbage from a pre-built system, by far!



If you are into gaming at all, you have to build your own. Buying pre-built means you get a massively crippled system....or you over-spend by a few hundred dollars OR MORE. That is, if you can find something decent for gaming, which is tough to do if you want to buy something pre-built.

Answer 3

I think that I saved about $200-$300 building my own. It was tough to be sure about this because it is not like I can walk into Best Buy and purchase the exact same desktop. What I will tell you though is that I got what I wanted and a certain amount of satisfaction building it myself. I am 52 years old. Bought my first computer, a laptop, 2 years ago. Before this I knew enough about computers to get by (which means hardly anything). Not that I know much more now but 5 months ago I built a desktop. I did a good amount of research, purchased everything I needed, and she slid together nicely. Runs great. I had so much fun doing it I wish I had a reason, and the money, to build another one. Hope this helps. Good Luck.

Answer 4

Well since you are spending about the same on both of then and they will both end up with roughly the same power, I would say to buy a pre-built one because they come with something special....A Warranty. So if the computer breaks, most of the headache is on the company and if you are going to build the computer yourself, there could be alot of variables you could miss which could easily backfire with such powerfull components which would create alot of problems for you. Also electricity kills which is a hard thing to ignore when YOU have to go in there to bulid/change components.

Answer 5

If you are Mechanically-Inclined, and you can Handle NOT Bending one of the 800 Tiny Pins on the CPU, then Build one!! Or better yet, Let me build one for you!! ;^) I can build you a Strong Gaming PC for around $1000-$1200. I can Also build you a Gaming PC for as low as $800. I'm in the Indianapolis, IN area. Let me know if this sounds like something you'd like done.

Answer 6

Popping in a "better" video card and more ram doesn't make a true "gamer" Building it yourself can get you all the items you WANT and none if the BS. If of course you don't want to go thought the trouble or don't know how to build one then you can settle for a "factory" job or an Xbox.