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

[amplifyzs]

Thanks!

That"s a good idea ill certainly do that soon.

Computers are my main Hobby now so i"m definitely looking forward to learning everything i can including how to build custom water cooled rigs.

 

[Eric1987]

So I assume you do all your own maintenance on your car as well? Fix your own appliances?

Pretty much.

 

[Aikouka]

As for games the only ones i have purchased so far which was late last night are Battlefield 4 plus premium membership, WoW, and i Pre-ordered Battlefield Hardline plus premium membership.

One thing to try to keep an eye on are sales. It can be a little more daunting than on a console, because there are so many places to buy PC games. Consoles have only recently opened up to having other stores sell digital copies. Anyway, if you install the Enhanced Steam add-on and browse Steam (in the same browser), it will tell you the current cheapest price for a game and the historic low. It's also good to check out the latest Humble Bundle. As of writing, there isn't going to be one until next Tuesday (3/17) as the weekly one ended a few hours ago.

Green Man Gaming also has some good deals with their VIP section. They've got a few AAA games for about 20%+ off such as Batman: Arkham Knight and Mortal Kombat X. I purchased Cities: Skylines (just released this past Tuesday) for about $10 off, and it's only a $30 game!

EDIT:

Computers are my main Hobby now so i"m definitely looking forward to learning everything i can including how to build custom water cooled rigs.

I can tell you that water cooling is certainly a good way to spend a lot of money. Costs really add up if you start buying premium components. A water block for your CPU will run around $70, the GPU is around $115 (+$25 backplate). A good radiator can run you between $40-120 depending on potency and size. Surprisingly, pumps are pricey. A single D5 pump costs around $85+, and it's not uncommon to use two for redundancy.

 

[gammaray]

I saw towers so cheap on that last Black Friday sale with even Core i5 chips,you simply couldn't beat the price when you factor in the whole tower.You simply couldn't build it for the same price.A super cheap tower with a os installed and ready to go.

Those are the type of sales where you may be better off buying pre-built.That is of course if you like a bargain.

i build my own computer not because it's cheaper, but because 1. i like it 2. i get knowledgeable doing it 3. i know when something is wrong or not 4. i like silence 5. i also like quality over generic

it's a bit like finding the right girl friend, do you go for the cheapest?

 

[bigboxes]

My first PC was a Compaq with a Pentium 200 MMX. Yeah, that was the last time I ever owned a pre-built computer. I've built my own ever since. I don't see how anyone on this forum would ever buy a manufactured computer. I enjoy taking the time to research the parts and plan out a build. I take pictures of everything as I put all the parts together to document it. It's a wonderful experience knowing I've put together a machine better than most people will ever see. Of course, I'm like way down the list among you guys....

 

[finbarqs]

sometimes, the pre-built are just so damn sexy... But the trade off are the non-standard parts. Unless you can make/design your own chassis, Somebody in the world has a build that looks like yours (but may not be internally the same).

I've always wanted a really sleek desk and a monitor and the computer be built into the desk. That way, I wouldn't have to deal with an ugly tower and cables everywhere. (Yeah you can get a nice tower, but no tower will always be better than a tower!)

 

[Red Hawk]

DIY, baby.

 

[Patre]

DIY, baby.

+1

DIY and not only for gaming, but mine is also a pro digital audio worstation (DAW).

 

[Aikouka]

I've always wanted a really sleek desk and a monitor and the computer be built into the desk. That way, I wouldn't have to deal with an ugly tower and cables everywhere. (Yeah you can get a nice tower, but no tower will always be better than a tower!)

I've been wanting to make a computer-in-a-desk setup for a while now, but one of the big things that I'd like to do with it is also set it up with water cooling. It would be really cool if I could also make it completely passive by doing something like using copper tubing for the desk's legs. Although, that does add some drawbacks... especially given that increasing the tubing makes it harder on the pump(s).

 

[amplifyzs]

Hey Thanks for the Tips! My alienware area 51 came with Steam and origin installed (i asked therm to do that before they shipped it to me) i haven't heard of Green Man Gaming you mentioned but i will go check them out as soon as i"m done with this reply.

it took me a year to save up for my PC plus all the accessories i bought due to the fact that i have a couple friends living with me and my disabled mom who all financially rely on me so so i researched a lot of stuff before my computed arrived two days ago thats how i knew about steam and origin but there is still so much i don't know so i greatly appreciate you taking the time to give me those tips, means a lot to me thank you!!!!

And as far as my Water Cooling adventure i ordered about 500$ worth of parts last night and i ordered a nzxt full tower case and some other PC parts so i could start learning how to build PCS. I'm pretty excited haha! ( had a little money left over that i saved for my gaming rig)

Btw i just checked out the Cities Skyline game you were talking about and purchased it on Green Man Gaming, looks awesome! I saw a few YouTube vids the other day about city building games and i liked what i saw so figured id order my first one and see how it goes =)

 

[Patre]

Wait for Steam's Summer sale or during Christmas time their Holiday sale.....you can get some really good deals on some really good games.

Good luck with your build.

 

[amplifyzs]

i will, Thanks man =)

 

[mrblotto]

First computer I got was a 'Columbia' brand from Sun Computers (neither are around any more lol), then I got a ZEOS Pantera b/c all the magazines said it was the best.
After that (mid 90's?) I started building all my own.
1. It's fun
2. You learn - both what NOT to do and what to do lol
3. You know what you're getting (get what you pay for)

 

[schmuckley]

Built it.

 

[dud]

I've always built my own desktop systems but the prices of some pre-built i7 systems is getting insanely low. Yes, you might have to replace the PS and install a new vid card but you do get the OS and a year warranty:


http://www.fatwallet.com/forums/hot-deals/1432328/

http://www.fatwallet.com/forums/hot-deals/1432622/


Please convince me not to do it .......

 

[HeXen]

^Sometimes 2 or 3 yr warranty. I have 2 on mine plus full support. I didn't build mine this time for a couple reasons. One because I loved the total design of the G20 and power efficiency and cooling layout and they licensed Waves audio technology which I knew would be great for headphones..I have their audio processor in my car and it's way under rated.
I just added an SSD drive as a primary and 970 gtx.

Second, whenever I build a new computer I always buy all new parts anyway. I prefer a complete and balanced system. Not using a 4 year old 1000 watt PSU when I won't even use 600 watts. Plus I didn't find any ITX cases that could house a full size video card that I liked. G20 is too sexy and looks good next to my PS4.

 

[finbarqs]

I've been wanting to make a computer-in-a-desk setup for a while now, but one of the big things that I'd like to do with it is also set it up with water cooling. It would be really cool if I could also make it completely passive by doing something like using copper tubing for the desk's legs. Although, that does add some drawbacks... especially given that increasing the tubing makes it harder on the pump(s).

first thing's first. nice desk

Then design a computer around it. I'm tired of Water cooling, unless it's a closed loop setup, where sound is key here. Overclocking is fun at first, but stability and reliability and low maintenance remains king for me.

 

[AMD64Blondie]

Built my own custom PC.

Way back when(2002),I had a crappy HP Pavilion 1.6 Ghz P4.

After that painful experience,I've always built my own PC.

(Or I've bought a custom build from Ibuypower-that was before I felt comfortable enough building my PC from parts.)