When an old computer fails or its parameters are not suitable for your goals, there are two options for replacing it: go to a store where ready-made desktop computers are presented, and purchase a suitable device or strain yourself, rummage through component stores and assemble the device yourself.
Obviously, not every user is so versed in the intricacies of such devices to decide on their own to choose the necessary components for assembly.
Therefore, for some, buying a device in a store is the only correct option. On the other hand, more advanced users who understand the principles of hardware operation will definitely first appreciate all the pros and cons of both options.
So we are going to tell you the complete detail and with the help of this article, you can easily decide which option is best for you.
What’s better and cheaper to build your own PC or buy a ready-made one?
Building your own PC gives you a lot of freedom in planning your computer’s components. With a wide selection of components, you have a great opportunity to make your computer unique for different tasks whether it’s a powerful or budget gaming PC, home or office PC.
But even an advanced user is far from versed in all modern technologies. If you are in a quandary and not sure if you should build your PC yourself, we will look at the main pros and cons of the two options.
Self-assembly of a computer
When assembling a personal PC, you can choose the specific parts that best suit your needs, thereby ensuring that you don’t end up with parts that don’t suit you.
In the case of self-assembly, you always have the opportunity to make changes to make the configuration more efficient and cost-effective.
These changes could include increasing or decreasing the amount of RAM, switching hard drive storage to SSD storage, or simply finding the best balance between the CPU and the graphics card.
For example, a finished PC might come with an i7 processor, 32GB of RAM and a GTX 1060 graphics card. And if you’re looking for a good gaming PC, it would be better to pack it with an i5 processor, 16GB of RAM and a newer / more powerful GPU like the GTX 1660 Ti or even RTX 2060.
Another issue to keep in mind is looking several years ahead. Some off-the-shelf PCs may use older processors and chipsets, which can severely limit your PC’s ability to upgrade in the future.
If, for example, you were looking for a ready-made budget gaming PC, then you can purchase them with an AMD FX processor or an older generation Intel Core processor, which use outdated chipsets and outdated sockets, which means that if you need to upgrade the processor in the future, you will also have to replace and the motherboard.
However, many pre-built gaming PCs leave ample room for additions and updates. If you are leaning towards buying a ready-made PC, you should definitely make sure that the configuration does not use too old components.
This way, you can be sure that you will get your money back and that you do not have to spend additional amounts than necessary for future upgrades.
What is cheaper off-the-shelf or pre-assembled PC?
Building a personal PC ensures that you can put together a very economical configuration without spending too much money on overly powerful components that don’t really matter when it comes to gaming, for example.
Sometimes it can be found that individual components can be quite expensive. Not so long ago, during the cryptocurrency mining craze around the world, the prices of GPUs (video cards) jumped a lot in value. And off the shelf PCs can be more cost-effective.
While PC assembly companies must consider the base cost of the components, make a profit, and cover the costs associated with running such a business, they can also get their components from stores at lower prices.
In the end, a finished PC is usually cheaper than if you yourself created the same configuration from scratch. In addition, if you buy such a computer at a discount, it can be a very profitable purchase for you.
Warranty service and repair:
If the purchased computer stops working, you take the system unit to the service center, where they will repair it. The warranty also covers components for a computer, but separately, so you will have to determine the defective part yourself;
Quality of parts:
During assembly, you select the components yourself, although there is still a risk of purchasing incompatible components. In branded PCs of the middle price category, an imbalance of characteristics is often found. The use of more budgetary secondary parts is also typical;
Operating system:
On the finished devices, the familiar Windows OS will already be installed with an OEM license. You will have to install the OS on the assembled equipment yourself, having previously bought it.
The main advantage of ready-made PCs is convenience:
If you are one of those people who, in fact, are not very familiar with PC components, or simply do not want to deal with the hassles associated with laying cables and docking components and further setting up the entire system, a ready-made PC is the most convenient and best choice for the home computer.
Many stores offer customized PCs. This, to some extent, combines the best of both options – you get the assembled PC directly with the components you need.
But on the other hand, purchasing a personal PC in this way will not be the most cost-effective way, since the cost of the components they have is higher compared to the manufacturers of ready-made system units, and plus you pay money for these services.
So what to choose: assembling a computer or buying a ready-made one?
Building your PC with each component purchased separately can help you get the best value for money from your finished PC, customized for your specific needs.
On the other hand, a ready-made PC can potentially save you some money and a lot of time.
We would recommend purchasing a ready-made PC for those who are either completely unfamiliar with the technology or simply not familiar with the PC assembly process and have no one to help you with this. You can also visit Tech Gaming Pro to read some related stuff to hardware and technology
