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

[KaKTy3]

Having been on a desktop replacement laptop for a few years, I am back into self-built game. I am not prepared to pay 50% premium for a similarly specced pre-built machine, thank you very much. Plus, as it's my hobby rather than my job, it's fun.

[CCODEZ]

My very first home PC was brought from (don't hate my parents, they didnt know any better!) PC world back in like 95, was christmas day, cost nearly £2000... and blew up 5mins after switching it on :\ ever since then I have tinkered, played with and always built my own systems from scratch. I love being able to tailor it to my needs, upgrade what I know needs upgrading and paying nothing for it except the cost of parts ( I consider the time spent doing it well worth it!).

I dare say if your a proper PC gamer, chances are high you or someone you know builds your own rig.

[The Hand]

I've self-built myself. Its half the fun! My next desktop will definitely be self-built.

[stucathome]

Self-build is hard work, annoying and comes with cut fingers, headaches and voluminous swearing.
I bloody love doing it, though. No limitations except your wallet and when a problem arises you know the answer.
Self-built to pre-build is like a racehorse to a donkey.

[crossy]

Self-build is hard work, annoying and comes with cut fingers, headaches and voluminous swearing. I bloody love doing it, though. No limitations except your wallet and when a problem arises you know the answer.
Self-built to pre-build is like a racehorse to a donkey.

Actually is it that hard work these days? Probably if you're into overclocking and/or watercooling - but otherwise it's surely just a case of time, care and "rtfm"?

Oops just remembered - HTPC's could be problematic - solely down to the restricted amount of space. (Based on my experiences of doing a Shuttle PC a couple of years ago).

For me though - practice is definitely the key. Each build done imparts it's own lessons, which mean mistakes are avoided in the next build.

And of course there's the dangers in self-build - at what point do you start thinking about the next build, and/or how long before the temptation to "tweak" the current build becomes irresistible?

A pre-built PC avoids all that - it's surely only a "product" no different to TV, washing machine, etc. To get a bit silly there's nothing of you in a pre-built - it's identical to thousands of other machines.

[CCODEZ]

Actually is And of course there's the dangers in self-build - at what point do you start thinking about the next build, and/or how long before the temptation to "tweak" the current build becomes irresistible?

A pre-built PC avoids all that - it's surely only a "product" no different to TV, washing machine, etc. To get a bit silly there's nothing of you in a pre-built - it's identical to thousands of other machines.

HA, that danger is always present if the parts look cheap.. £40 for a 8Gb of ram to take me up to 16 is just way tempting at the moment, and the price crash of SSDs as well! I think tweaking is a long ongoing slow process depending on where programs are in terms of performance and technology is compared to prices, I tend to upgrade every 3-4 years. By then a big enough performance gap opens up to justify spending another £500-800 on upgrading the rig I have (and since I have most of the usual components already I can spend more on better gear).

I think having something that thousands of other have identically is what puts me off a prebuilt (as well as the fat I love building and selecting), I swear if I brought the top end alienware PC's id have them open and likely replacing some key parts xD

[Willzzz]

I self build, I don't go over the top though, you can keep a build nice and simple yet still have ample power for every task.

[AlexGTR]

All my computers since i was about 15-16 have been built by myself, my brother also builds his own computer. My first computer was built by my dads friend!

[levedy1]

I don't see why anyone wouldn't self build, unless they are total noobs.

[crossy]

I don't see why anyone wouldn't self build, unless they are total noobs.

Mainly because they get the "backup" of someone to call if things go wrong - don't underestimate the attraction of having a tech support line to call. I've seen it time and time again - if you regard a PC as no different to a TV, then you'll buy a complete model, if you're more of a tinkerer by nature then you'll self-build.