Page 1 of 2 12 LastLast
Results 1 to 16 of 20

Thread: Are prebuilts worth it at the moment?

  1. #1
    Registered+
    Join Date
    Jan 2021
    Posts
    25
    Thanks
    0
    Thanked
    1 time in 1 post

    Are prebuilts worth it at the moment?

    I'm going to build mine but I'm just wondering for friends who are new to the whole thing and want to get pcs over the next few months to a year or so, is the prebuilt option worth it?

  2. #2
    Senior Member
    Join Date
    Feb 2016
    Location
    Somerset
    Posts
    1,112
    Thanks
    84
    Thanked
    137 times in 110 posts
    • wazzickle's system
      • Motherboard:
      • Asus H470M-itx
      • CPU:
      • i5 10500
      • Memory:
      • 16Gb DDR4 HyperX Fury
      • Storage:
      • Barracuda 510 1TB M.2, WD Blue 2TB
      • Graphics card(s):
      • Zotac 3070 Twin Edge
      • PSU:
      • Corsair SFX 600
      • Case:
      • Ghost S1 V2
      • Operating System:
      • W10
      • Monitor(s):
      • LG IPS 27" 144Hz QHD
      • Internet:
      • three4g & nighthawk MR1100

    Re: Are prebuilts worth it at the moment?

    I've seen some fantastic value pre-builts online recently. Make sure you can see all the components, though, and check them out as well as tot up the price using pcpartpicker or similar to see how much of a markup you're paying. Sometimes they just show you the cpu and gpu and cheap out on important stuff like motherboard and psu and that is very much a false economy. So go with a reputable brand i.e. check out the reviews for the company online before you buy.

  3. #3
    ALT0153™ Rob_B's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jul 2006
    Posts
    6,736
    Thanks
    467
    Thanked
    1,055 times in 687 posts

    Re: Are prebuilts worth it at the moment?

    "It depends"

    You need to compare budget and requirements. I've seen a prebuilt with a 3400G for £275, not convinced you could build it for much less but you get a better choice of parts doing it yourself.

  4. #4
    DDY
    DDY is offline
    Senior Member DDY's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jun 2006
    Posts
    2,838
    Thanks
    184
    Thanked
    624 times in 432 posts
    • DDY's system
      • Motherboard:
      • ASRock Z390M Pro 4
      • CPU:
      • i5 9600k
      • Memory:
      • 32GB (2x16GB) 3600MHz
      • Storage:
      • Adata SX8200 NVME 1TB
      • Graphics card(s):
      • RX 5700
      • PSU:
      • Seasonic Focus Gold 550W
      • Operating System:
      • Win 7 Pro
      • Monitor(s):
      • Dell U2715H

    Re: Are prebuilts worth it at the moment?

    One other thing to consider as of January 2021 is stock.

    If the prebuilt is within a reasonable price bracket, with a graphics card you want, and it's in stock - it might actually be the only way to get that graphics card at the moment!

  5. #5
    Senior Member
    Join Date
    Feb 2016
    Location
    Somerset
    Posts
    1,112
    Thanks
    84
    Thanked
    137 times in 110 posts
    • wazzickle's system
      • Motherboard:
      • Asus H470M-itx
      • CPU:
      • i5 10500
      • Memory:
      • 16Gb DDR4 HyperX Fury
      • Storage:
      • Barracuda 510 1TB M.2, WD Blue 2TB
      • Graphics card(s):
      • Zotac 3070 Twin Edge
      • PSU:
      • Corsair SFX 600
      • Case:
      • Ghost S1 V2
      • Operating System:
      • W10
      • Monitor(s):
      • LG IPS 27" 144Hz QHD
      • Internet:
      • three4g & nighthawk MR1100

    Re: Are prebuilts worth it at the moment?

    Quote Originally Posted by DDY View Post
    One other thing to consider as of January 2021 is stock.

    If the prebuilt is within a reasonable price bracket, with a graphics card you want, and it's in stock - it might actually be the only way to get that graphics card at the moment!
    This is very much a thing at the moment and would be the #1 reason i'd recommend pre-builts to friends right now, but hopefully it isn't a thing for long

  6. #6
    Registered+
    Join Date
    Jan 2021
    Posts
    20
    Thanks
    0
    Thanked
    0 times in 0 posts

    Re: Are prebuilts worth it at the moment?

    I would also recommend Pre-built in this current climate of part shortages. I decided back in November I was going to build my own PC for the first time since its usually cheaper. So I picked up a few parts. Now im sitting in January facing higher prices for cases/coolers and not able to get the graphics card I want : / should of just got a pre-built from scan or something back in November.

  7. #7
    Registered User
    Join Date
    Oct 2020
    Posts
    11
    Thanks
    0
    Thanked
    2 times in 2 posts

    Re: Are prebuilts worth it at the moment?

    The biggest drawback I find is the upgrade path and performance too.

    For example if you have seen the Dawid Does Tech videos on his pre-built dell, the 3060 doesn't perform the same as a dual fan powered 3060 and the cooling is that bad he had to underclock the system.

    I recently had to do a walkthrough on why a Hp case (HP Pavilion Gaming Desktop) won't fit a different motherboard, and even if somehow he did that (sticky tape?) I had to explain that the 400W PSU would not do much for overclocking, and a stock cooler would do nothing for temps. HP won't even show the diagram of this motherboard (Baker)!!!

  8. #8
    Senior Member
    Join Date
    Feb 2016
    Location
    Somerset
    Posts
    1,112
    Thanks
    84
    Thanked
    137 times in 110 posts
    • wazzickle's system
      • Motherboard:
      • Asus H470M-itx
      • CPU:
      • i5 10500
      • Memory:
      • 16Gb DDR4 HyperX Fury
      • Storage:
      • Barracuda 510 1TB M.2, WD Blue 2TB
      • Graphics card(s):
      • Zotac 3070 Twin Edge
      • PSU:
      • Corsair SFX 600
      • Case:
      • Ghost S1 V2
      • Operating System:
      • W10
      • Monitor(s):
      • LG IPS 27" 144Hz QHD
      • Internet:
      • three4g & nighthawk MR1100

    Re: Are prebuilts worth it at the moment?

    Quote Originally Posted by D3vastation View Post
    The biggest drawback I find is the upgrade path and performance too.

    For example if you have seen the Dawid Does Tech videos on his pre-built dell, the 3060 doesn't perform the same as a dual fan powered 3060 and the cooling is that bad he had to underclock the system.

    I recently had to do a walkthrough on why a Hp case (HP Pavilion Gaming Desktop) won't fit a different motherboard, and even if somehow he did that (sticky tape?) I had to explain that the 400W PSU would not do much for overclocking, and a stock cooler would do nothing for temps. HP won't even show the diagram of this motherboard (Baker)!!!
    If you are to buy a pre-built, it absolutely should not be a brand like Dell, for these exact reasons, but that doesn't mean that all pre-builts have this issue.

  9. #9
    Registered User
    Join Date
    Oct 2020
    Posts
    11
    Thanks
    0
    Thanked
    2 times in 2 posts

    Re: Are prebuilts worth it at the moment?

    Quote Originally Posted by wazzickle View Post
    If you are to buy a pre-built, it absolutely should not be a brand like Dell, for these exact reasons, but that doesn't mean that all pre-builts have this issue.
    By pre-built I always assume it is a branded pre-built i.e. HP/Dell, otherwise any other pre-built is simply a custom PC put together?

  10. #10
    Senior Member
    Join Date
    Feb 2016
    Location
    Somerset
    Posts
    1,112
    Thanks
    84
    Thanked
    137 times in 110 posts
    • wazzickle's system
      • Motherboard:
      • Asus H470M-itx
      • CPU:
      • i5 10500
      • Memory:
      • 16Gb DDR4 HyperX Fury
      • Storage:
      • Barracuda 510 1TB M.2, WD Blue 2TB
      • Graphics card(s):
      • Zotac 3070 Twin Edge
      • PSU:
      • Corsair SFX 600
      • Case:
      • Ghost S1 V2
      • Operating System:
      • W10
      • Monitor(s):
      • LG IPS 27" 144Hz QHD
      • Internet:
      • three4g & nighthawk MR1100

    Re: Are prebuilts worth it at the moment?

    Quote Originally Posted by D3vastation View Post
    By pre-built I always assume it is a branded pre-built i.e. HP/Dell, otherwise any other pre-built is simply a custom PC put together?
    Pre-built doesn't necessarily mean branded, it literally just means that you buy a pc whole rather than build it yourself. It implies a level of off-the-shelf rather than customisability and potentially the sorts of things Dell do like cut corners and not pay any attention whatsoever to bottlenecking but it doesn't have to and there's lots of pre-build companies out there that will let you customise and use quality thermal paste and practice good cable management etc. They regularly review some Scan 3XS pre-builts here and they always score decently.

  11. #11
    Senior Member
    Join Date
    Oct 2012
    Posts
    415
    Thanks
    158
    Thanked
    95 times in 66 posts

    Re: Are prebuilts worth it at the moment?

    I got my current desktop custom built by Scan 3XS. Reason I did it was because I had small kids at home, so no space to build it myself. Plus didn't want accidental parts damage.

    I was happy with what I got, as I could select the exact parts I wanted. And it's still working fine 3.5 years later. Although I turned off the CPU Overclock, as I didn't see a point in it. And a crash reset the overclock. No problems since that.

    Also, I realise I'm replying to an OP post from January!
    "Arrogance and stupidity all in the same package. How efficient of you!" - Ambassador Londo Mollari
    "Never interrupt your enemy when he is making a mistake." - A General

  12. #12
    Senior Member
    Join Date
    Aug 2016
    Posts
    3,894
    Thanks
    934
    Thanked
    971 times in 717 posts

    Re: Are prebuilts worth it at the moment?

    Quote Originally Posted by Scryder View Post
    ....

    Also, I realise I'm replying to an OP post from January!
    Well yeah, but that means it's a slightly different moment. I think both question and answer are still relevant.

    My view is that "worth it" is subjective, and to the individual buyer, also relative.

    Right now, buying a whole system from a good quality integrator is probably about the only way to get certain components, so on that basis alone, it may be worth it. It'll probably come at a price, but also, probably not at scalper prices.

    If times, and supply chains, were "normal" I'd say it's a different calculation, but still subjective. Buying from a specialist builder and cherry-picking your components will, again, come at a premium but, and for me it's an important "but" .... gives considerable extra convenience. So it's really a case of whether that convenience justifies the premium. To me, these days, it does. Ten years ago, it would not have for me.

    I've built enough PCs, for myself and others, for the process to now be a chore, rather than fun. It also means less hassle if I plug in bits and something doesn't work.

    So the advantages to me include not spending the time building, not spending the time trouble-shooting and, currently, probably selecting GPU and maybe CPU options not available if I self-build. And, reduced risk.

    The downside is a price premium. But, frankly, my finances aren't what they were in some times past either, and if it adds a couple of hundred quid to the price, and maybe means buying some bits I don't need (like OS) .... so what?

    Is it worth it? To me, yes. To anybody else, I have no idea.
    A lesson learned from PeterB about dignity in adversity, so Peter, In Memorium, "Onwards and Upwards".

  13. Received thanks from:

    AGTDenton (18-05-2021)

  14. #13
    Super Moderator Jonj1611's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jun 2008
    Posts
    5,718
    Thanks
    1,754
    Thanked
    994 times in 761 posts

    Re: Are prebuilts worth it at the moment?

    Quote Originally Posted by Scryder View Post

    Also, I realise I'm replying to an OP post from January!
    It's only a few months ago so still relevant, if it had been a few years ago would be a different story.
    Jon

  15. #14
    Senior Member
    Join Date
    Feb 2016
    Location
    Somerset
    Posts
    1,112
    Thanks
    84
    Thanked
    137 times in 110 posts
    • wazzickle's system
      • Motherboard:
      • Asus H470M-itx
      • CPU:
      • i5 10500
      • Memory:
      • 16Gb DDR4 HyperX Fury
      • Storage:
      • Barracuda 510 1TB M.2, WD Blue 2TB
      • Graphics card(s):
      • Zotac 3070 Twin Edge
      • PSU:
      • Corsair SFX 600
      • Case:
      • Ghost S1 V2
      • Operating System:
      • W10
      • Monitor(s):
      • LG IPS 27" 144Hz QHD
      • Internet:
      • three4g & nighthawk MR1100

    Re: Are prebuilts worth it at the moment?

    Posted 15th May
    CCL Ryzen GT Gaming PC - Ryzen 3300x + RTX3070 + 16GB 3000 + 650W + B450 Tomahawk £1,133.99 at CCLOnline

    Posted 17th Jan
    Punch Technology Gaming PC - GeForce RTX 3070, Ryzen 5 5600X, 1TB HDD + 500GB SSD, 16GB RAM, 3 Year Warranty £1299 @ Laptops Direct

    Good ones occasionally come up on hotukdeals. Some of these are good enough value given how much you can spend just on a GPU that you can buy them, strip out the components you don't need, or even just substitute your existing GPU in, sell it, and you've got a fantastic bargain, assuming you can sell it.

  16. #15
    Senior Member
    Join Date
    Oct 2012
    Posts
    415
    Thanks
    158
    Thanked
    95 times in 66 posts

    Re: Are prebuilts worth it at the moment?

    Quote Originally Posted by Jonj1611 View Post
    It's only a few months ago so still relevant, if it had been a few years ago would be a different story.
    Yeah, what I meant was OP probably got their answer to the question already.

    But you know what... I didn't read "...over the next few months to a year or so". My bad!

    Well, my opinion is still in my first answer.
    "Arrogance and stupidity all in the same package. How efficient of you!" - Ambassador Londo Mollari
    "Never interrupt your enemy when he is making a mistake." - A General

  17. #16
    OwP
    OwP is offline
    Registered+
    Join Date
    Apr 2020
    Posts
    87
    Thanks
    2
    Thanked
    14 times in 14 posts

    Re: Are prebuilts worth it at the moment?

    I did a nearly pre built a year or so ago. Had it supplied without an OS so I could chuck a cheap Win10 Pro on it. Price wise was slightly cheaper than I could do myself, but the cabling was excellent, much better than I could manage. Came from PCSpecialists.

Page 1 of 2 12 LastLast

Thread Information

Users Browsing this Thread

There are currently 1 users browsing this thread. (0 members and 1 guests)

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •