The Difference Between A Pre-Built Desktop PC And A Custom Built One

January 31, 2010 by Andrew Johnson
Filed under Technology

Everyone has a different reason for having a PC, and those reasons help define whether it\’s a better option to build one, or buy it pre-built. They have their pros and cons, as all things do, and hopefully this article will explain them enough for you to decide on your desktop PC investment.

No matter which choice you make, a computer costs money. The prices are all over the place and depend on a vast amount of different things. It can be cheaper to build your own, or to get one pre-built, it depends on how you go about it, but if you build one yourself, then you\’ll know that labor isn\’t part of the cost.

Pre-built computers have their advantages. They\’re easier, first of all, because there\’s nothing to put together. Unlike building one yourself, they also come with warranties. All you have to worry about is comparing the different specifications of each computer and deciding which ones are more important to you.

What your pre-built computer comes with is only partially up to you, unfortunately. When you buy a pre-built, it comes with a pre-set list of components, and you get all of them or none, no picking and choosing. So if you wanted the 3.4ghz processor, for example, you may also have to get the 2TB hard drive, which you may not want. On top of that, you have no control over what the computer looks like aesthetically, such as having a unique case.

This is where building your own PC comes in. You can completely customize it to have all the components you want in it. You can even eliminate components and just have the bear essentials, making the overall cost incredibly low. Add cool lighting, a unique case design, logos, whatever you want. The world is your oyster.

Putting it together yourself can be a problem, however, especially if you\’re not sure what you\’re doing. Because of the fragility of the components, you won\’t get warranties either, because companies won\’t pay for things you are completely responsible for. Anything could happen, so it\’s completely up in the air.

The best decision is to base it off of what you know and what you want. If you want a desktop pc that\’s completely yours and you know a lot about computers, than building one is a great idea. But if you just want one for the family, then a pre-built may be the best option. Just remember, it is an investment, so spending it on what you really want is most important.

Andrew Johnson is an expert in computer products. If you want more information about varieties of desktop PC or are looking for a trusted computer retailer please visit http://www.ebuyer.com