PC - Build or Buy

Tropez

I see you've appeared to have settled on an option, but just in case...

I tend to build, personally, but that's because I prefer having full control over what hardware I'm using. Given the various deals in place between certain manufacturers, it can be pretty tough to find a pre-built PC with the exact specs I want unless you go to a custom builder who will just tack on costs for their labour anyway. Therefore, for me, it makes sense to build.

And I do still find it cheaper. My most recent gaming PC was around £200 less than the cost of buying a similar (although not exact) pre-build and could have been even less expensive had I not decided to add a few bells and whistles for my own childish sense of novelty.

But if you're not after specific hardware, don't particularly need/want bells and whistles, or simply don't have the desire to do all the shopping around to purchase bits from all over (and do factor in shipping fees if you're purchasing parts from multiple stores, as that saving and soon turn) then buying one is a perfectly valid option.

I do admit that even if I could buy one of the exact spec I want for the same price that I would pay if I was building it myself I would still build it myself because I quite like the accomplishment that goes with it all when you first have it up and running. I also like the complete lack of bloatware - and I know that bloatware subsidises the cost of the equipment on pre-builts and most of the time can be uninstalled but the blank slate thing works for me.

esuhl

As above, I too prefer to build my own PC as you have a complete choice over each component and don't get given a copy of Windows bloated with crapware.

And if you buy decent "long-life" components like the optical drive, hard disks, case and PSU, then you can keep them for subsequent PC builds, bringing the cost of replacement down.

My current PC is nearly 7 years old, and it's still faster than most of my friends' PCs. I can't foresee me wanting to upgrade for the next few years at least. So, in my case I probably saved money by building something to last.

nidO wrote: »

Generally these days, if you have to ask, buy.

Ha ha -- that's pretty good advice. Especially if you're just using it for basic tasks (browsing, streaming, email, etc.).

forgotmyname

How big is your current hard drive? How much space is there free?

Maybe just move old videos to an external storage and a good cleanup rather than a complete new system.

Just restored a computer and cleaned it up for a mate who bought a new one and wants to sell it. He popped over and i was on his computer and he commented on how quick it was. He was shocked when i said its your old one.

Cycrow

Tropez wrote: »

And I do still find it cheaper. My most recent gaming PC was around £200 less than the cost of buying a similar (although not exact) pre-build and could have been even less expensive had I not decided to add a few bells and whistles for my own childish sense of novelty.

I think it'll be pretty hard to self build a pc that cheaper, essentially when half of that will go on just Windows, leaving very little for the hardware.

Its difficult to build cheaper systems, because the pre-built ones bundle things like windows ridiculously cheap, so trying to match it simply isn't possible

If you dont need windows, then it becomes alot easier.
of course for basic tasks like email and intenret, then you could use linux, but most people wont even consider that

Cisco001

Cycrow wrote: »

I think it'll be pretty hard to self build a pc that cheaper, essentially when half of that will go on just Windows, leaving very little for the hardware.

Its difficult to build cheaper systems, because the pre-built ones bundle things like windows ridiculously cheap, so trying to match it simply isn't possible

If you dont need windows, then it becomes alot easier.
of course for basic tasks like email and intenret, then you could use linux, but most people wont even consider that

Depends how you look at it.

If I am building machine yourself, I will choose a better quality components.

I won't skip on getting crappy £10 case with poor cable management or air flow.

I won't skip on crappy £20 PSU which could end up a potential fire hazard to burn the house.

With CPU & motherboard, I won't stupidly match i5 4690K with a H81 motherboard like many pre-build on ebay.
And would probably getting a good Z97 motherboard with 8+2 phase design.

Basically, you get what you pay. You may find pre-build cheaper, and it is good news for general user.
If you want something more specific, self-assemble or custom build is still the way to go.

Cycrow

Cisco001 wrote: »

Depends how you look at it.

If I am building machine yourself, I will choose a better quality components.

I won't skip on getting crappy £10 case with poor cable management or air flow.

I won't skip on crappy £20 PSU which could end up a potential fire hazard to burn the house.

With CPU & motherboard, I won't stupidly match i5 4690K with a H81 motherboard like many pre-build on ebay.
And would probably getting a good Z97 motherboard with 8+2 phase design.

Basically, you pay what you get. You may find pre-build cheaper, and it is good news for general user.
If you want something more specific, self-assemble or custom build is still the way to go.

Yes but by doing that it wont be as cheap. It may be better, but not as cheap, which was my point.

You will not be able to build a pc for £200, when you include Windows, and especially if you start including expensive cases/psus, and high spec motherboards.

you just cant beat the price of the budget pcs by building it yourself

Tropez

Cycrow wrote: »

I think it'll be pretty hard to self build a pc that cheaper, essentially when half of that will go on just Windows, leaving very little for the hardware.

Its difficult to build cheaper systems, because the pre-built ones bundle things like windows ridiculously cheap, so trying to match it simply isn't possible

If you dont need windows, then it becomes alot easier.
of course for basic tasks like email and intenret, then you could use linux, but most people wont even consider that

The more expensive a system, the easier it is to find savings. Sure, if you're aiming for a budget build then unless you already have a retail Windows key and not an OEM one, then you're not going to be able to take on a manufacturer who is knocking PCs out for a couple hundred quid.

But as the spec of the system goes up, so does the potential saving by building over buying a pre-built. In my experience, once you reach the £450-£550 marker you can generally build an equivalent to a pre-built manufacturer's offering, possibly with better components.

The OP mentioned he didn't want his for gaming, but he did want it for video editing. Video editing can be more demanding than gaming, as I'm sure you know, although of course I'd imagine he's going to stop well short of needing equipment up to professional standards.

My PC cost just shy of £800 to put together. Equivalents were going for £1,000+ but unless buying a built to order would not have contained the exact same components.

At the higher level it is quite easy to save £20 here, £30 there etc. and rack up the savings.

RobTang

Its probably worth noting and is usually overlooked is you are not going to get a full system warranty on self build. So obviously if anything goes wrong you will have a diagnose it yourself.


Now the individual parts will most likely have a warranty longer than a full system warranty but they wont all be the same length and you'll have to deal with the RMA process yourself, which can be a pain depending on who you bought it from or if the manufacturer wants to you to directly RMA with them.


I'm not say this is a pro or con just something you need to consider...

Robm1955

Ok, now Christmas is over, I'm back on this. I've decided to buy. Basically, I just need the pc, (possibly with keyboard), don't need a monitor. Looking for at least 16gb ram, and 1tb hard drive. It's the processor now that I'm not sure about. Is Quad Core the best? I'm not a gamer, but I want to be able to stream videos, watch tv, browse, and edit video, (the software I have is good, and not complicated, but on this pc takes ages). I obviously don't expect people to suggest where I should buy from, but give advice on processor, ram, and graphics card, etc. Thanks.