Brand name vs home built computer?

Question

Which is best? And why?

Answer 1

Home built because you put in exactly what you want

Answer 2

Name brand store bought systems:
Sure they come with all kinds of software packages that you will probably play around with for a week before it just sits there taking up HD and desktop space. Forget about being able to upgrade later on enless you plan on replacing the whole system with another store bought computer. You really don't need to replace the whole computer to upgrade! Alot of features are integrated on the motherboard and/or are cheap performance eating devices, but they do look good on paper. They look so pretty! Ya know i understand that the computer is becoming regular house-hold appliance but they are not the only ones with the pretty cases. Unfortunetly everything is so damn expensive nowadays that people need to have payment plans, and/or cheap computers(that's exactly what you get... a CHEAP computer). There is alot of hidden costs, misleading information when dealing with these units as well.

Custom Built Computers:
Okay, sometimes they do cost initially but when you need a faster computer you will be paying less to upgrade! Anyway, custom computers; they are built for what you plan to use it for. Gaming PCs -- Home Theatre PCs -- MINI PCs -- Car-Puters and more all can be made specifically for your use, with the features YOU want. These custom computers have more expansion options, and can be upgraded more easily than store bought computers. In all systems i build i use name brand components such as Seagate, Maxtor, ASUS, Abit, NVidia, Intel, AMD, etc. All pieces carry manufacturers' warranties as well. All 'reliable' systems builders use all new parts as well, not parts that were sitting around and are already outdated. The many designs for computer cases out there why have what everyone else has; You can have a computer system no-one has every seen before. I personally also do case modding for example, hand cut custom case windows, totally custom computer cases, custom paint, special cooling systems, case lighting, etc. Buy a custom computer system built for you and you will be able to upgrade easily, inexpensively, and you will have it for a long long time.

Also, with custom computer systems you have a choice with what parts to use, and what operating system to use. I personally deal with Windows, Linux and FreeBSD operating systems.

STAY away from store bought computers! They are sitting on the shelf, probably were outdated when they were released and have been sitting on the shelf for months so even more OUTDATED! Buy something you can grow with and it will keep up with your growth! BUY A CUSTOM BUILT COMPUTER!

Answer 3

Here are the pro's and cons.

Home built system:
Pro's: You get exactly what you want. You do not have to settle for whatever is available. I know dell builds to order. But It is not the same. When you build it yourself, you pick the brands that go into the computer. So you know exactly what you have. Also you select exactly what software is installed.

Cons: More expensive to build than to buy premade. You deal with warranty issues.

Prebuilt brand name computers:
Pros: Warranty is done through the computer manufacturer. Systems are cheaper to buy.

Cons: You get what comes with them. You only get a minimal selection of software. Also most parts are combined on the motherboard such as sound support and video. So if you want to upgrade your video capabilities or sound, then you have to fight with windows to disable the video or sound that comes with the system. And then you may still encounter IRQ issues.

Answer 4

Brand Names: Guaranteed to have what you want and what you're looking for (almost all installed correctly).

Home Built: Unless it was done by a professional, some tweaking maybe needed. Guaranteed to have EVERYTHING you want in a computer (it's built from scratch so it truly is a PERSONAL computer).

I wouldn't say either is better then the other, it's just who you trust more and also who has more experience in building their computers.

Answer 5

I think home built is better,as brand names usually puts cheap motherboard and RAM. But you will be able to buy good motherboad and be able to overcloack it. Also you will buy everythign you want,as it is almost impossible to find brand with all hardware you woudl liek to put in.

On the other hand you might find brand computers cheaper than buid yourself,by buyign seperate parts :-)

I go for home built,as I am good at that and buitl what I really expect from PC. Good luck.

Let me knwo if you have any more questions.

Answer 6

With a brand name you generally get a reliable computer with warrant and back-up support, but you have to take whatever specs the system has.
With home built you can have exactly the specifications you want, but if anything goes wrong, you're on your own

Answer 7

For gaming a custom built PC will beat a Brand name PC because it has been built to your own specifications and will probably be cheaper and more powerful for the price.

For all other non game related computing
Apple.

Answer 8

Well if you know enough about computers to build on you can easily save $200 on a computer thats already prebuilt. Also this allows for more options.
If you don't know a thing (this is not a first time project) about the inside of a computer, then it would better to buy a prebuilt system.

Answer 9

It all depends on how much you want to spend and the time you want to spend buying and waiting for parts. But building a home comp allows you to put in whatever you need and not what you don't

Answer 10

If you're looking for the cheapest computer you can get your hands on, you can't beat the price of a pre-built.

If you're looking for a gaming computer, you can probably build it yourself cheaper and get much higher quality parts.