Features - QOTW: Do you self-build or buy built?

[Malphas]

I self build. I don't think there's a huge advantage over pre-built systems in terms of self-building a new desktop from scratch, in fact it's probably cheaper just to buy a Dell than build a PC and the result will be indistinguishable really. Where a self-build shines is the fact you never really need to replace it, and just continuously upgrade, which is much harder in a pre-built system when you may not be entirely sure what every part is, as well as proprietary parts that make upgrading yourself difficult or impossible. I've essentially been using the same desktop for over a decade now, although none of the original parts still remain, I've always just replaced one or a handful of components at a time rather than do-over from scratch.

[Taurus]

My first two systems were pre- built back in the late 90's. I then started to upgrade compounants memory/graphics etc.. then started to build my own. I have now built at least six systems and have up graded GPU's etc... along the way.

[dipzy]

Self build all the way because you can choose what hardware you want in your rig and are not restricted to the hardware in pre-built systems. Some pre-built computers like Dell have parts designed by themselves so upgrading them is not possible.

When i build a rig, i choose a high end motherboard and cpu that will last me a good couple of years and then upgrade the GPU every year or so.
Its fun to build your own rig too, then when completed, you can say "i built that" and be proud

[Scotsinclair]

I self build. I don't think there's a huge advantage over pre-built systems in terms of self-building a new desktop from scratch, in fact it's probably cheaper just to buy a Dell than build a PC and the result will be indistinguishable really. Where a self-build shines is the fact you never really need to replace it, and just continuously upgrade, which is much harder in a pre-built system when you may not be entirely sure what every part is, as well as proprietary parts that make upgrading yourself difficult or impossible. I've essentially been using the same desktop for over a decade now, although none of the original parts still remain, I've always just replaced one or a handful of components at a time rather than do-over from scratch.

+1

This is also why I self build every time, being able to drop in little bits a few at a time is what makes it more worthwhile IMO.

[EverybodyelsE]

As a sound designer and composer I have always self-built my PC's. There's no better way to get exactly what you want!

[Hans Gruber]

I usually upgrade over time so I never buy a whole PC in one go, so self built is my only option. It certainly helps that I enjoy doing it myself.

[iranu]

Self build for me. Allows me to upgrade when I need to rather than just buying another box. I already have quality PSU, hard-drives, CD/DVD/Blu-ray drive, case, keyboard, mouse, cables and cpu cooler so why do I need to buy all that again? It's far more cost effective to upgrade gfx card or motherboard/ram/cpu in cycles when needed than buy the whole lot again.

Buying is for when you just can't match the quality for price which is usually at the lower end of the market or for when you don't want to have to be someone else's technical support just because you built their PC!

[iiee]

I self build mainly because i tend not to upgrade all of my components at once. Over the last 5 years i have switched out various components as they have become out of date or unfit for purpose but i never have the cash to do it all at once making self build the only real option.

[TooNice]

Except for the 1st desktop (from the now defunct Panrix), all my desktops have been self-built. However, due to living space / mobility constraints, I am largely a (reluctant) laptop user. If only GFX cards can be upgraded, as it is the part of the laptop that seems to age the quickest.

[KeyboardDemon]

I built my first PC, initially it took a few hours to put it together and then another two or three years of swapping components, upgrading parts, adding ram, getting bigger HDDs etc... before more or less everything I had was out of date, then I bought a PC, it was a good deal, a reasonable spec PC original store price was £900 I got it for £450 on clearance, but I couldn't upgrade it easily due to the case being a difficult case to open up and the PSU being too weak to run a stronger graphics card so I went back to building. This is I think, my sixth or seventh PC of my own, also built a few for other people too.

For me building is an organic process, I build, tweak, update/upgrade until the core components just can't be upgraded any further and this for me is the best way to go, in my limited experience of buying PCs it seems as if the PC was not made to be upgraded and it ends up having a much shorter life span as a result.

[Spud1]

I used to self build every single machine when I was growing up and at uni..also know as "when I had next to no money". This was also the period where you simply had to upgrade something every 6-8 months just to be able to play the latest/recent games..I was forever adding more ram, replacing hard drives, swapping out the CPU/Mobo/case..

This started to slow down around 2007-2009, when I didn't need to spend the money to keep up. My PC at the time could still play everything I wanted it to, and over those 2 years all I added was an upgraded graphics card at the end of 2007 when Crysis came out.

After that I got myself a Mac Pro and immediately put windows on it (I couldn't afford it but my business could at the time), and never looked back. I am still using that machine 3 years on, and again all I have had to upgrade is the graphics card.

It was easy - no hassle, no warranty issues with individual components..if something went wrong (and it did 3 months in to ownership) I just took it to Apple and they swapped it all out there and then, simple.

I do kinda wish that I could be bothered with self building again - the satisfaction is usually great, and if starting with a fairly low spec/average spec it's usually cheaper than buying pre built. At the higher end though (workstation grade) it's often cheaper and easier to buy a pre-built machine..probably a sign of getting old I guess! At the time of buying my mac pro, the machine cost £1500, but the CPUs were £900 each at the time to buy on their own (real world prices) - so it was a no brainer. OK so I didn't need 2 top spec quad core Xeons at the time, but that was besides the point

My next machine will again likely be a pre-built one, I doubt I can afford another Mac Pro (though I might do it when the new models are released)

[synaesthesia]

Have always built, never bought one off the shelf. The last non-self build I had was a Wang International 8086 processored beasty.
Like cooking, it gives you that little bit more satisfaction. If something goes wrong, you've only yourself to blame rather than some spotty nugget in the store or a faceless robot or production line worker at Dell/HP etc.

More to the point, like so many others I actually rather enjoy it. Some cracking systems available from the likes of Scan 3XS that are blatantly put together with a similar amount of enthusiasm but it just wouldn't be mine

New CPU arrived from Scan last week (3570k) just awaiting motherboard and RAM next week from whoever's cheaper out of Scan or Ebuyer. Scan added near £20 to the motherboard I want last week though

[finlaymurray123]

I self build because it's fun!

[Animus404]

My first pc was an IBM Aptivia Multimedia PC, sporting a Pentium 133.. Since then I've self built. I don't think I'd ever buy off the shelf. Although, spending so much time on the road with work these days I'm questioning whether or not having a desktop is worth the space it takes up. So this could be my final self build before I migrate to using a laptop or tablet exclusively.

[Dark Knight]

Definitely self-build but normally comes along with countless time spent fixing small niggles but suppose its part of the fun. It's simple enough these days even water-cooling comes plug and play lol. Took a long while to get into the scene and understand the in's and out's but once you know you would never go back to buying a pre-built unit.

[k4p84]

Always built my PCs but bought laptops and tablets...