Pre-Built Gaming PC's. A good alternative to custom-builds?

Discussion in 'Hardware' started by Luno, Mar 4, 2011.

  1. #1
    I'm speaking to you guys right now from my Dell 1555 Studio Laptop. For my first ever PC purchase, i am still pleased with my choice even at close to 2 years down the line. However for about £800, i'm sure many of you here will disagree with me.

    Anyway, it's on it's way out, and definitely becoming out-dated. I want to buy a fast PC as cheap as possible, with it's major functions being games and Photoshop. I've had a look at a few websites that offer pre-built PC's dedicated towards playing games (DinoPC.com is my favourite website as it rates all of the components for comparison).

    What do you guys think of websites like this? I understand that generally speaking, pre-built PC's are practically a rip-off. I feel very capable of building my own PC, however some of these prices seem quite appealing.

    Should i buy one pre-built from a website (recommendations would be nice) or should i just buy the parts (recommendations would be just as nice)?
     
    Luno, Mar 4, 2011 IP
  2. Kerosene

    Kerosene Alpha & Omega™ Staff

    Messages:
    11,366
    Likes Received:
    575
    Best Answers:
    4
    Trophy Points:
    385
    #2
    Build it yourself.
    - It's fun (if you want it to be)
    - You'll know EXACTLY what's in your PC
    - You won't end up with cheap noname components (PSU, case, heatsink/fans etc)
    - It will be YOUR computer :)
    - Better value for money
     
    Kerosene, Mar 5, 2011 IP
  3. VIJAY22007

    VIJAY22007 Greenhorn

    Messages:
    43
    Likes Received:
    0
    Best Answers:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    16
    #3
    Try to find the cost difference if you were to build the PC. If it is low then you could buy it from the site. Else build it yourself. Also other key point are will the site give you after-sales service, length of the service, will you get any pre-installed applications?
     
    VIJAY22007, Mar 5, 2011 IP
  4. Vhaleandra

    Vhaleandra Peon

    Messages:
    17
    Likes Received:
    0
    Best Answers:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    0
    #4
    build your own computer, so you can get the specification that you want.
    and you will be more satisfied, if you build your own PC
     
    Vhaleandra, Mar 10, 2011 IP
  5. hexagonJamie

    hexagonJamie Greenhorn

    Messages:
    30
    Likes Received:
    0
    Best Answers:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    16
    #5
    Yeah I'm gonna go with customs here, just for the difference in price. If you do it, it can actually be quite fun (depends how geeky you are tho :p)
     
    hexagonJamie, Mar 11, 2011 IP
  6. Grandcruiser

    Grandcruiser Peon

    Messages:
    34
    Likes Received:
    0
    Best Answers:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    0
    #6
    You can generally build it for a better price. However, you'll have to provide support to yourself(obviously :p). What are you looking to use your computer for exactly?
     
    Grandcruiser, Mar 14, 2011 IP
  7. sylents

    sylents Peon

    Messages:
    5
    Likes Received:
    0
    Best Answers:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    0
    #7
    Yeah I going with what most are saying. Custom builds is a great experience
    and your getting a better quality as well. An ideal range for spending on parts may vary
    from $1000-$2500, but even then are you getting a better pc from the pre-made manufactures.
     
    sylents, Mar 15, 2011 IP
  8. boundlessmartin

    boundlessmartin Active Member

    Messages:
    714
    Likes Received:
    0
    Best Answers:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    51
    #8
    Build yourself its better but you should have all the drivers.
     
    boundlessmartin, Mar 16, 2011 IP
  9. nihangshah

    nihangshah Prominent Member

    Messages:
    5,536
    Likes Received:
    271
    Best Answers:
    3
    Trophy Points:
    395
    #9
    I would suggest you directly order yours from Dell. You'll get licensed software + latest drivers updates + warranty.
     
    nihangshah, Mar 16, 2011 IP
  10. DoktorKubik

    DoktorKubik Peon

    Messages:
    110
    Likes Received:
    0
    Best Answers:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    0
    #10
    I built my own (though I'm rather a technophile), as I wanted the excitement of doing it myself. Now, I've built probably close to 50 computers in my day, but it's always a lot scarier to build your own. :D
     
    DoktorKubik, Mar 19, 2011 IP
  11. Eclipse23

    Eclipse23 Member

    Messages:
    50
    Likes Received:
    3
    Best Answers:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    45
    #11
    I would say building it yourself is much better, you know exactly what is in there. Plus from my experience with pre built PC's
    the company tries to save money by putting poor components inside for the money
     
    Eclipse23, Mar 20, 2011 IP