Should I Buy a Computer, Or Build One?

Question

I just went to cyberpower, and read the list of all the components of one of their systems, and picked out each exact component over at newegg.com and put it in my shopping cart...

The end result was the comp from cyber power cost $999 with free shipping, and all the parts from newegg cost $1,069 plus shipping

I know how to build a computer, and would like to do that, but if it's cheaper to buy a pre-built, why would I want to order the parts and build it myself? It seems like more money, more work and less warranty. Am I right on this?

ok, cyberpower.com has a system configurator to where you can choose from lots of different parts to get exactly what you want.... and about all the software they load their systems up with...that's nothing more than a format away. I could just wipe the hard drive, take the computer apart, and I 'd be where I would if i bought all the parts.

Answer 1

I have been around computers for a long time and can easily build one from scratch, but I looked into it a while back and after I did all the research and shopping around on places like TigerDirect.com and other places. I finally came to the conclusion that it was better to just go with a pre-built system from a reputable company and get a good warrenty than go through all the hassel of building a system on my own.

Answer 2

The trick is knowing where to buy from. New Egg has good prices on some things, but not everything. The way I do it is to shop on a price comparison site (my preference is http://www.pricegrabber.com/ ) This will list the price of the components including shipping (in most cases) by store. You are also able to compare different parts. Dell systems (or CyberPower) may come with motherboard x and processor y, but if you get motherboard a and processor b (that have the same stats) you could save as much as 50%.

The reason why this is true is because Dell and the other major manufacturers have deals with brand x to push their product at a discounted rate. But brand a is the same quality, just without a big name like Dell behind it. You do have to do your research though, which will mitigate some of the savings due to the extra time.

At one time (about a year, maybe 18 months ago) I did a price comparison between what I could build with parts and what I could get from Dell. I was able to build a Dell system that would have cost me $600+ for about $450.

Answer 3

There are many factors in making your decision. When you buy a PC from a manufacturer the MB usually always has everything integrated on it like sound, video, NIC. Cheaper ones also use some of your RAM for video. If this doesn't bother you and you get a good warranty then why not save the hassle?

On the other hand, when you build one you get to make all your own choices and they are usually better for upgrading at a later date should you want/need better video, sound, etc...

On thing I didn't see anyone here address is the fact that when you buy a PC the OS is included. The extra added cost of the OS alone makes it more expensive to build your own. Of course, if you already have a copy ;) that won't be a problem.

Now days, manufactures get great deals buying items in bulk and some software makers pay them to include their stuff which drives down prices.
However; If you're like me, you'll have to pay retail prices which doesn't compare. Example: Retail on Windows XP Pro Full Edition is as much as $299. The company I work for get their licenses for around $60 because they buy several hundred at a time.

So, in getting back to your actual question......I would say Yes, it's cheaper to buy prebuilt and the warranty is better!

After all is said and done, I still prefer to build my own.

Good luck!

Answer 4

I suggest you buy and gather the parts you want in stores and if you can get most of them from the same store. For example if you can find a trust worthy OK looking computer store/shop in your area you can get them to order anything you need. The cons are it might cost you a little more , there is a chance you might not be able to get any part you want , and a few other things along that line.

But the pros are it should not be that more expensive , You will not half to put it together so make sure the shop gives at least around 1 year in store warranty so if the PC does not work when you pick it up its not your fault you did not put it to gather, warranty most good computer shops will give you about 1 years free warranty, you can talk to them directly about questions you have in person , you will not half to worry about shipping problems when getting or returning if needed to when dealing with the parts. Plus there are other pros too I just can think of right now.

Some things to think about. What do you want the PC to do? and how do you want it to do it. For example I like my PC's to run all games and very well. So I went out and paid over $6500 for my PC and I put it together myself. So I got no warranty except for some of the hardware itself.

Answer 5

I used to build all my computers, back in the 8086/286/386/486 days. The first Pentium I tried to build, I had a lot of trouble. I got to thinking it was the bandwidth of the motherboard, that it ran at such a high frequency it was probably very sensitive to how it was put together, installed in the case. I took it out and re-installed it a few times. And it would always work but it would always have problems after a while. Finally I took it to a shop someone recommended to me and it worked fine after that. Nowadays I have a place I go where I can specify all the components I want in a new computer, and actually they only charge for the components, they put it together for me for free. Which is the best of both worlds. But I have to admit I miss putting computers together! I've sometimes thought it might be nice to take the A+ course just so I could do it. 8^) Anyway, if you get your A+, congratulations!

Answer 6

No you are not right. BUILD IT! Everything in it will be YOUR choice, what you want, and the capability that YOU want it to have!

Computer Help Page

http://www.diskgenius.com/

http://www.pcbeginner.com/tools/pcdoctor.htm

http://www.pcguide.com/byop/index.htm

http://www.ntfs.com/boot-disk.htm

http://www.softpedia.com/get/System/Boot-Manager-Disk/

http://www.freedownloadscenter.com/Best/ntfs-boot-iso.html

http://www.disk-image.net/products.htm

http://www.bootdisk.com/bootdisk.htm

http://www.errornuker.com/info/01.php?hop=product1

http://www.nu2.nu/pebuilder

http://www.majorgeeks.com/downloads2.html

http://www.ntcompatible.com/Acronis_True_Image_9.0_Build_2337_s61449.html

http://www.theosfiles.com/

http://www.data-recovery-reviews.com/windows-startup-disasterrecovery.htm?gclid=CMSl0b7X2YcCFSJxYAodKy6Lpw

http://www.winternals.com/

http://www.pcworld.com/downloads/file/fid,25181-order,1-page,1-c,alldownloads/description.html

http://www.softpedia.com/get/System/Boot-Manager-Disk/Windows-XP-PowerPacker.shtml

http://www.extremetech.com/article2/0,1697,674406,00.asp

http://windows.about.com/od/tipsarchive/l/bltip632.htm
Visit our Helpdesk for PC Bug Doctor
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PC Beginner software
http://www.pchell.com/support/limitedconnectivity.shtml
http://www.nu2.nu/pebuilder/
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Chapter 1: Purchasing Components
Chapter 2: Component Overview
Chapter 3: Installing the CPU, Heatsink, and RAM On The Mainboard
Chapter 4: Installing The Mainboard In The Case
Chapter 5: Installing Drives
Chapter 6: Connecting Components
Chapter 7: Installing AGP and PCI Cards
Chapter 8: Testing the System and Completing Assembly
Chapter 9: Installing Windows XP
Chapter 10: Configuring Windows XP
Chapter 11: Installing A Dual Boot Operating System (Linux And Windows XP)
Chapter 12: Home Video -- “So, You Want to Be the Next Steven Spielberg?”
Chapter 13: What’s Next?

http://www.hardwareanalysis.com

BUILD YOU OWN COMPUTER:
www.directron.com
www.newegg.com
www.monarchcomputers.com

Answer 7

I don't agree with you on the warranty part of your argument. If you get a pre-built, you have a 1-2 year warranty. Let's say that in the third year of ownership your memory fizzles out. Guess what, no warranty! If you build, you have a lifetime warranty on the memory. You torch the mobo in the third year of a pre-built, no warranty, sorry, buy a new mobo. Built, covered for the entire third year. Just a couple of better reasons to build vs. off shelf.

Answer 8

Unlike what most people tell you, it is not ALWAYS cheaper to build your own. For the price range you are talking about, it usually is in fact better to buy them pre-built. It is when you get to the prebuilt computers in the $1500 plus range that you can save money by building it yourself. Now of course some people are going to tell you about all these fantastic systems they built for an amazing price, keep in mind they are usually either just making it up or they are buying used stuff from eBay.

Answer 9

Building your own computer can be fun, but computer manufacturers can buy the components for a lot less than you can, so you usually wind up paying extra for the "privilege" of assembling your own system. Unless you have some specific and unusual system requirements, you're better off buying a complete computer already assembled.

Answer 10

As others have mentioned there are pros and cons to pre-builds

One thing that I have noticed is that you were going to only one supplier for parts. What I have done in the past is check many local suppliers to find the most competitive price and then build it myself.

Failing that use the old 'but thier's is better' method. Call them up, inform them that another supplier is x price and yours is y price. What are you willing to do to get my business. Some places will blow you off, others will drop thier prices to meet the others. The trick is to find one that is much lower than thier price, so they will start throwing in extras.

Anyhoo hope this helps. Its a buyer's market. Don't let them tell you different.