Your gaming PC ... did you build it or purchase it pre-built?

[shortylickens]

Built.


Silverstone Temjin

OCZ 1000w power supply.
GTX 760
Turtle Beach Riviera (I think)
Two 1TB WD Red drives
Intel DP55W
Intel i7 870
16gb OCZ PC3200 (I think)

Some other crap.

 

[Sulaco]

Built. In sig.

When you factor in quality, PSU, and GPU, it's almost ALWAYS a better deal, and higher quality.

It also helps I have a MicroCenter 15 minutes up the road.

 

[AgentUnknown]

Building is fun, I build mine. I love to walk into microcenter and fry's. Sometimes they have good deals, sometimes newegg is the better option. So easy to build now, especially if you are a gamer.

 

[StinkyPinky]

I bought my last pre-built in 1998 (p2-350 with voodoo 2). I've built my own since then. Never had a problem and it's still a bit cheaper. Plus you can choose exactly what you want, no compromise.

 

[sep]

Home build...

 

[pontifex]

I have a decent desktop that I built, but barely use it anymore.
I use my Sager gaming laptop more and that is custom pre-built.

 

[TallBill]

I picked the parts at a local shop. Paid about $75 more than if I did it myself.

Previously I've built about 15 computers and it's just not fun anymore. Plus I was living in army barracks and shipping was questionable.

 

[ToySoldier]

In a couple if years I can see myself ordering a $5,000+ Alienware or Digital Storm. Im starting to get burned out building them and my new job allows me to burn that kind of $$.

 

[sweenish]

I don't consider iBuyPower a boutique retailer.

Nor do I consider Alienware one anymore.

I have no issues with boutique vendors, as they usually sell something that can't be built, like the Falcon Northwest Tiki.

As for the people talking about buying a pre-built, then replacing the PSU and adding a videocard, you're better off just buying what you want and putting it all together yourself. Replacing the PSU is admitting that you overpaid for what you got right off the bat. Adding a video card says you didn't buy something that actually suited you. What's your new total price compared to just individual parts at this point? Even if it's still a little lower for the box, at least you didn't throw any of your money down the toilet with parts you'll just replace anyway.

 

[exar333]

I don't consider iBuyPower a boutique retailer.

Nor do I consider Alienware one anymore.

I have no issues with boutique vendors, as they usually sell something that can't be built, like the Falcon Northwest Tiki.

As for the people talking about buying a pre-built, then replacing the PSU and adding a videocard, you're better off just buying what you want and putting it all together yourself. Replacing the PSU is admitting that you overpaid for what you got right off the bat. Adding a video card says you didn't buy something that actually suited you. What's your new total price compared to just individual parts at this point? Even if it's still a little lower for the box, at least you didn't throw any of your money down the toilet with parts you'll just replace anyway.

This for sure.

Unless you going for a custom H2O loop, the time build is very small these days. You just need an hour or two to put the pieces in and boot it up. Loading Windows 7+ is a breeze...and you probably spend more time on software installs and so forth. Applications like Steam (and the like) really help with this too.

Honestly, I would probably spend similar time building online, ordering, and then inspecting the received product vs. just choosing and assembling myself. If there is an issue, I would MUCH rather have one on my build rather than rely on customer support from a OEM.

That's just me though....

 

[AznAnarchy99]

This for sure.

Unless you going for a custom H2O loop, the time build is very small these days. You just need an hour or two to put the pieces in and boot it up. Loading Windows 7+ is a breeze...and you probably spend more time on software installs and so forth. Applications like Steam (and the like) really help with this too.

Honestly, I would probably spend similar time building online, ordering, and then inspecting the received product vs. just choosing and assembling myself. If there is an issue, I would MUCH rather have one on my build rather than rely on customer support from a OEM.

That's just me though....

I used to work for iBP. Their typical customer would not be one of us. The main thing I would hear everyday is "I've been a console gamer my whole life and I want to try out PC" or "I play LoL/DOTA/etc, tell me what I need".

 

[ToySoldier]

I used to work for iBP. Their typical customer would not be one of us. The main thing I would hear everyday is "I've been a console gamer my whole life and I want to try out PC" or "I play LoL/DOTA/etc, tell me what I need".

It's nice to hear that the unwashed masses are getting more sophisticated.

 

[preslove]

I get a free license of windows 7 and 8 through work, so the os cost isn't there. My ht/gamingpc is a corsair 250d, which has excellent dust shielding, something I really need. Most prebuilt systems don't have good dust filters, and I have a corgi that sheds too much!

 

[exar333]

I get a free license of windows 7 and 8 through work, si the is cost isn't there. My ht/gamingpc is a corsair 250d, which has excellent dust shielding, something I really need. Most prebuilt systems don't have good dust filters, and I have a corgi that sheds too much!

Haha, this!

I grabbed the 350D for similar reasons....cleanable dust/hair filter on the front intake. My Shiba and cat do shed a respectable amount.

 

[dave_the_nerd]

Of course I built it myself.

 

[exar333]

I used to work for iBP. Their typical customer would not be one of us. The main thing I would hear everyday is "I've been a console gamer my whole life and I want to try out PC" or "I play LoL/DOTA/etc, tell me what I need".

True enough.

I started out building on my own. Before youtube, etc. Window drivers were a 'bear' and there were a lot more components + things that could go wrong (bare CPU dies, etc). Things are much easier now...

Today, I can build an 'average gaming' rig for a friend/family member in almost no time. Case, MB, PSU, RAM, CPU, GPU, HDD/SSD, and optical drive, check. You can seriously assemble a relatively basic build in less than an hour, including un-packaging time.

Load software and you are ready to go...

For your own family...the Windows family packs, when they go on special, are an amazing deal. This is assuming you don't have discounts through work or school.

 

[crownjules]

Been building my own computer since the late 90s.

 

[Tim]

I built/build mine.

The initial investment can be lower/the same/ or slightly higher than buying a pre-built depending on the quality of the parts you buy. Some of the parts can be very nearly perpetually reused to save cost in the long run. For example, I haven't bought an optical drive in years. I could make the case last many builds if I wanted to. Buy a quality PSU, make it last several builds. Get a good keyboard, mouse, monitor, etc. Another thing that will save you money is selling your previous parts when it's time for an upgrade.

With what I have recently upgraded to (below), should last me maybe 5-6 years with a video card upgrade at some point. It plays butter-smooth at 1440p with most bells and whistles on, and a bunch of older games smoothly at 4k... well, the ones that support 4k, that is.

Currently running:
Case: Corsair Carbide 300R
CPU: i7-4790k (no overclock)
Motherboard: Asrock Z97 extreme 4
Ram: Crucial Ballistix Elite 16GB DDR3-1866
Storage: 1TB Samsung Evo 850
GPU: Evga GTX-980 SC ACX 2.0
PSU: Corsair CX600M
CPU cooler: Corsair h80 with (2) Phanteks PH-F120SP 120mm fans
Optical drive: LG bluray drive, I forget the model number.
Case fans: (4) Phanteks PH-F140SP 140mm fans
Fan Controller (Controlling all 6 fans): Nzxt Sentry Mesh 5.25 bay 5-port controller.
Keyboard: Logitech g510s
Mouse: Logitech g700s
Mousepad: Corsair MM200XL
Headset: Logitech G930
Desktop speakers: Bose Companion 2 Series III (Got these for free)
Monitor: Samsung U28D590D 28" Ultra HD LED Monitor

 

[AznAnarchy99]

True enough.

I started out building on my own. Before youtube, etc. Window drivers were a 'bear' and there were a lot more components + things that could go wrong (bare CPU dies, etc). Things are much easier now...

Today, I can build an 'average gaming' rig for a friend/family member in almost no time. Case, MB, PSU, RAM, CPU, GPU, HDD/SSD, and optical drive, check. You can seriously assemble a relatively basic build in less than an hour, including un-packaging time.

Load software and you are ready to go...

For your own family...the Windows family packs, when they go on special, are an amazing deal. This is assuming you don't have discounts through work or school.

I will say with iBP though is if you play your cards right with their sales and promotions you can get one cheaper than you can build one with the same components. The margins on name brand good components aren't that high. They money comes from the add-ons and shipping.

 

[exar333]

I built/build mine.

The initial investment can be lower/the same/ or slightly higher than buying a pre-built depending on the quality of the parts you buy. Some of the parts can be very nearly perpetually reused to save cost in the long run. For example, I haven't bought an optical drive in years. I could make the case last many builds if I wanted to. Buy a quality PSU, make it last several builds. Get a good keyboard, mouse, monitor, etc. Another thing that will save you money is selling your previous parts when it's time for an upgrade.

With what I have recently upgraded to (below), should last me maybe 5-6 years with a video card upgrade at some point. It plays butter-smooth at 1440p with most bells and whistles on, and a bunch of older games smoothly at 4k... well, the ones that support 4k, that is.

Currently running:
Case: Corsair Carbide 300R
CPU: i7-4790k (no overclock)
Motherboard: Asrock Z97 extreme 4
Ram: Crucial Ballistix Elite 16GB DDR3-1866
Storage: 1TB Samsung Evo 850
GPU: Evga GTX-980 SC ACX 2.0
PSU: Corsair CX600M
CPU cooler: Corsair h80 with (2) Phanteks PH-F120SP 120mm fans
Optical drive: LG bluray drive, I forget the model number.
Case fans: (4) Phanteks PH-F140SP 140mm fans
Fan Controller (Controlling all 6 fans): Nzxt Sentry Mesh 5.25 bay 5-port controller.
Keyboard: Logitech g510s
Mouse: Logitech g700s
Mousepad: Corsair MM200XL
Headset: Logitech G930
Desktop speakers: Bose Companion 2 Series III (Got these for free)
Monitor: Samsung U28D590D 28" Ultra HD LED Monitor

This.

Also, by purchasing my own parts, I generally keep the packaging and manuals for reselling. I can often get a CPU/MB combo from MicroCenter and use it for 1-2 years and recoup my costs (or close to) after reselling it.

You command a much better price reselling in original packaging, plus you don't have to spend as much time/$$ on packaging.

This has worked great for me 10+ years.

 

[Eric1987]

I would if I don't want to spend my life as their tech support.

"Hey man, my Alienware is acting funny!"
"Go, call Dell."

Never had that issue yet. I teach them how to do it then they fix it themselves.

 

[Rezident]

After years of building I bought the last one. Too busy to be fiddling with tiny headers (that I can't believe it is still not a single keyed block) these days and I can afford to outsource the work to professionals now.

Still like having a poke about the case but in fairness, the guys at OCUK did a much better job with the cabling than I ever did!

 

[AdamK47]

The thought of gaming on a pre-built gives me cold shivers.

 

[Eric1987]

After years of building I bought the last one. Too busy to be fiddling with tiny headers (that I can't believe it is still not a single keyed block) these days and I can afford to outsource the work to professionals now.

Still like having a poke about the case but in fairness, the guys at OCUK did a much better job with the cabling than I ever did!

So you make more money and then you pay people to do what you can do...Is it me or does that seem incredibly stupid? I hope I never get rich enough to think like that. I don't wanna go broke from paying people to do shit I can do. LOL!

 

[runzwithsizorz]

Haven't bought a pre built PC since 1998, and that was a purchase on e bay from a guy that built the rig himself. Computer was fine until it became outdated. So, why not build one myself? Have never bought a pre-built since. (Except for an Asus ROG laptop purchased three years ago which is still great for older games such as DAO).