PC for Gaming/Design - Prebuilt or Build Myself?

LHoubs on 27/12/2017 - 18:24
Last edited 27/12/2017 - 18:25

I've been planning on getting a new computer, most likely within a $1,500 budget, for AAA gaming and graphic design (also potentially some video editing). Nothing insane like 4K or streaming, just a good to great PC that's reasonably affordable.

I've done some degree of research on parts, but I'm no expert. From what I've seen, there's been a few good deals on prebuilts lately, but my friend assures me to build it myself because I'll save money/be able to build a more powerful machine within my budget.

Is this true? I've seen some comments to the contrary lately, with people saying on certain deals that it would actually cost more to build part for part at places like MSY.

I'm more than happy to build myself (first time builder) if it means better value and possibly future flexibility with my PC, but if there isn't much to gain I'd rather save myself the trouble of buying parts and putting it together.

Does anyone have an answer to this, and depending on your answer, do you have any suggestions for good value prebuilts or parts that suit my needs? Thanks!

Computing

Comments

    • dcep on 27/12/2017 - 21:40
      +1

      neggers gonna hate themselves for spending over $1400 on their rig but not even getting gtx 1080

      • nomoneynoproblems on 27/12/2017 - 23:01
        +1

        No idea why you're getting begged. This is what I'd get op.

  • Riczter on 27/12/2017 - 18:59
    +1

    Usually it is better to build yourself. However, like you say, recently there have been some very well priced prebuilt systems, for example from Dell. If one of these fit your needs exactly, then I would grab it. However if it doesn't fit your requirements exactly then probably still better to build your own, as there is no point paying extra for stuff that you don't need.

  • dcep on 27/12/2017 - 19:01

    From what I've seen, there's been a few good deals on prebuilts lately, but my friend assures me to build it myself because I'll save money/be able to build a more powerful machine within my budget.

    • Only if you're able to score bargain deals on each and every parts. If you're buying all parts in 1 hit, very unlikely that you're buying all parts at their lowest price ever.

    Is this true? I've seen some comments to the contrary lately, with people saying on certain deals that it would actually cost more to build part for part at places like MSY.

    • Link posted above, shows about $30 savings by building your own. Your mileage may vary depending on any new deals popping up here.

    I'm more than happy to build myself (first time builder) if it means better value and possibly future flexibility with my PC, but if there isn't much to gain I'd rather save myself the trouble of buying parts and putting it together.

    • Refer above.
  • garetz on 27/12/2017 - 19:13

    The big difference between buying prebuilt and building yourself, is you get to choose your components, usually on a prebuilt machine they put bad quality power supplies, and try to use the cheapest brands possible. if you built it yourself you know exactly what you are getting as you choose the parts.

    Prebuilt maybe slightly cheaper with 20% off ebay sales, but i always build my own machines for peace of mind.

    You should look at https://au.pcpartpicker.com/, you can find prices and parts for builds that you are interested in.

  • ShannonN on 27/12/2017 - 19:53
    -1

    Pre built have warranty easy to send back. With own build you have to pull the faulty part out then deal with the supplier etc , remembering in an effort to get what part you want you may have gotten parts from 4 diff suppliers

    • Axelstrife on 27/12/2017 - 21:38

      Better way to think of this is
      If just the PSU for example goes then you can buy a replacement that day and have a working pc again and also send in your old psu for warranty while you would have to send the entire pc back and wait possibly weeks for a working pc to be sent back.

  • scrimshaw on 27/12/2017 - 20:31
    +1

    These Dells on eBay are good picks if you are lazy and just want an off the shelf unit.

    building a PC is more time consuming, and secondly to get a good deal on parts sometimes you have to buy them from several different stores as opposed to getting everything from a single vendor, however the payoff is that you can get to choose what parts you want and typically with DIY builds it is typically much easier to upgrade later on as often, off-the-shelf ATX cases are roomier than prebuilts and have better mounting options.

    bear in mind you won't be overclock most Dell Inspirons or XPS's since they have a locked BIOS. You can however, tweak all you want with a DIY system — esp. with Amd Ryzen as all their Ryzen CPU's are unlocked.

  • Diji1 on 27/12/2017 - 23:47

    Every time you buy a pre-built PC you lose.

    http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/build-your-own-pc,2601.h…

    Do it once. There are guides everywhere. Whirlpool even has lists of parts to buy. Every single step is documented thousands of times on Youtube. You can search for "how to attach X model to Y model" and people will literally do in front of you to watch on your phone.

  • brotherfranciz on 28/12/2017 - 00:14

    I personally found it incredibly satisfying to build my own gaming pc. I built it in 2013 and haven't needed any upgrades or repairs.

    I would definitely recommend building your own if you have the time to research the components - I found it quite straight forward since the best builds generally have the most common/popular components anyway (other than the case).

  • AlienC on 09/01/2018 - 11:35

    Xbox. The original. $10. Then kill yourself.

    • Wakety-Wack on 16/01/2018 - 19:58

      Wow!

      Build it yourself OP, the satisfaction greatly outweighs the couple of dollars you could save.

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