A Personal Computer (PC) is an investment that comes in handy for people at multiple levels. You might be wondering whether you should buy something pre-built, or build it yourself. Well, this guide is here to help you! Building a PC gives you more options, lets you pick each component according to your needs, ensures quality along the way, is more flexible and upgradeable, and gives you room for personalization. On the other hand, buying a ready-made PC is good if you want to use it immediately without putting in the time and effort to build it. You can rely on the whole machine as an integrated unit, and the single warranty is easier to deal with. However, you cannot be sure about every part of the machine and can not deal with the components separately. Both options require research, but no technical skills that you would have to learn in advance. Let us know ‘Building Vs Buying A PC’.
Building Vs Buying A PC
Let’s look at;
- Research and skills required
- Price
- Warranty and customer support
- Upgrades
- Customization and computer components
- Repair
- Miscellaneous
Research and skills required
Both options require research, but building the PC requires extra, easy-to-learn DIY skills you can get for free online, even if you are a non-technical person. To build a PC, you will need to understand how to fit the components together, the parts needed, how to ensure the parts are compatible and will fit in the case properly, et cetera.
When buying a pre-built PC, you should still look at the PC components and understand what specs you need according to our usage. You will need to check the details of each part, including the RAM, motherboard, processor, graphics card, et cetera, especially the components that are not openly advertised so you know what the box contains because manufacturers may cut costs – and quality – on lesser-known components, which hinder the advertised ones. You should be extra careful if you are a heavy user like a gamer, full-time worker who needs PC performance, cryptocurrency miner, et cetera.
Both require research, but you need some extra for building it yourself.
Price
If you build your PC you can get discounts on each component and even afford better-quality parts. Individual parts are likely to be of better quality than those bought in bulk, so they are likely to last longer. You invest your own labor, can choose to spend only on components necessary for your use and can save on repairs and troubleshooting. You can even buy tested, high-quality second-hand parts. However, mistakes can become costly (we will look at this in a bit). Moreover, shipping and limited quantities can increase component prices, so it might get more expensive upfront.
On the flip side, pre-built PCs have the added cost of skilled labor, the warranty, and a higher profit margin because they deliver instant gratification. However, manufacturers can afford to buy components and software/operating systems in bulk and cut initial costs, so they can offer lucrative deals to customers. Low-end PCs for casual users can be much cheaper if they are pre-built. Time is also money, so you might buy a pre-built one and earn more in the saved time – your choice.
The price depends on your scenario, but many claim that personally built PCs have a better price-to-performance ratio.
Warranty and customer support
Building a PC means you purchase parts separately, so each part has a separate warranty, tracking IDs, and payments, especially if you buy from different places. Managing separate buys can become difficult. Moreover, if you damage the parts while assembling them or one part damages another – for example, an incorrect power plug damaging the attached components – the damage may not be covered by the warranty. In short, you can make costly mistakes. However, individual warranties are often longer than the pre-built piece’s warranty.
A pre-built PC comes with a single warranty, and you do not tamper with the internal components, so accidental damage can be more limited, and the single purchase is easier to manage. You can also get better customer support after the buy, with special forums and technicians available to help with queries related to your model. However, ensure you read the fine print on the warranty.
Therefore, pre-built PCs have a more convenient, reliable warranty system, but you must read the terms first.
Upgrades
PCs you build are easier to upgrade because they have more expansion slots on their motherboards, and are more flexible. You know your components and can replace or add a single part – like extra RAM in the slots available – to upgrade the computer or tweak it to your liking. You can buy a motherboard with long-term upgrade support to make your investment last longer.
Pre-built PCs, especially with an OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) motherboard, might not have as many expansion slots or the same upgrade support. Research the upgradeability and flexibility of a pre-built computer before making a buy.
If you want a longer-lasting machine you can tweak to match the changing times, consider building it to be what you want.
Customization and computer components
Building a PC offers complete control over what parts the PC has and what it looks like. From the outer case to each detail, you choose it personally so you know what you need for a product that suits you. However, you will need to know which components will be compatible with each other while also fitting comfortably in the chosen casing, with enough room to avoid overheating, short circuits, et cetera – you need to know your components. Also, components might be difficult to find for the right price. Once you handpick the components, you can be sure that each part is of the highest quality and no one can mislead you by adding substandard parts you do not know of. Assembly comes later and is often easier.
On the other hand, a pre-built PC is made by professionals according to a standard pattern. It might be efficient, but it may not be what suits you best and may include cheaper, low-quality, or older components. Even when the manufacturer/seller offers customization options, there is a limit to what you can do.
In short, build it if you want complete control and quality but are willing to experiment, research, and design for personalization and practicality.
Repair
Once you build your PC, you know it inside out, and it can be easier to troubleshoot it and identify faulty parts. You can repair the PC by replacing the faulty part, saving up on potentially expensive and hassle-prone technical support visits. Individually-bought components sometimes come with spare parts you can use for the repair without paying anything.
Pre-built PCs are often covered by a warranty which might mean initial technical issues get solved for free, but you would need to do without your PC all the while it gets serviced, taking up valuable time. You cannot trace the fault yourself. After the warranty period, or following damage not covered by the warranty, repairs can become expensive.
In short, you can service and repair a build-it-yourself PC at home, potentially faster or for cheaper.
Miscellaneous
- You can optimize your PC for overclocking if you build it yourself, to improve its performance. It is a common, inexpensive practice that just needs the right components – better cooling, a motherboard that supports overclocking, and a CPU with an unlocked multiplier, for example, will not cost you as much as they give you in performance. Pre-built computers are not likely to have this option unless they are specialist ones.
- Bloatware is software that is pre-installed on a new computer and uses its resources even when you do not want it. It can include demo and trial versions of software, too. Bloatware allows the seller to earn from advertising the software, but it can get irritating and take time and effort to get rid of software and notifications you never asked for that clog your system. If you want a clean slate, you might have to build it.
- However, pre-installed software can come in handy when you do not know which software to install or you want free, hassle-free trials before buying appropriate software – once again, this makes it immediate-user friendly.
- Building the PC is a rewarding learning experience that does not require expensive classes or prior skills. However, you need to be interested in the process because it involves a lot of research and learning.
- A pre-built PC can be harder to clean because you are not familiar with the wiring.
- A middle ground between pre-built and build-it-yourself PCs is also available in the form of a System Integrator, which assembles your PC from commercially-available hardware rather than manufacturing it. Their expert technicians customize the product to your needs and give you a stress-tested, optimized PC with an installed Operating System and drivers. You get more of the latest tech, decent customer support and warranties, and more variety. However, you are limited to what they have in stock, or the prices can be affected by their deals with specific manufacturers, and bloatware/low-quality peripherals can be an issue. This service can be more expensive.
Conclusion
As a device you will be using personally, you might be able to build more trust in your PC if you build it from scratch and know that each part is what you chose and of the highest quality. However, if convenience matters more, buy a pre-built piece you can use immediately with fewer complications, at least at the outset. Buying a PC is an expensive decision, and you should do your homework well to make sure you are not misled by flashy advertisements or cover looks – focus on what is inside, and it may last you longer. There is no ‘wrong’ option here.
FAQs
Q: Is it difficult/expensive to find the right software once I have assembled my PC?
A: Not really. Buying a Windows license on your own can become expensive, but you can look for open-source (free) software, even for your Operating System. For example, your computer will work just fine if you use a Linux operating system, which – again – is a DIY option: you install it manually, you get support from informal forums, and you use hacks and learn to use it – which is not very difficult. It can also include pre-installed software and games that will help you get started, with handy, free alternatives to expensive options. Alternatively, you can run unactivated Windows for free.
Q: What kind of user should build a PC?
A: As mentioned above, a low-end, simple PC for the casual user is much cheaper if you buy it pre-built because they can offer better deals with their cost-cutting and bulk manufacturing. However, if quality and personalization matter and you are a professional/heavy user, you might want to customize it to your needs and build it yourself.
