Is it still possible to make decent money building computers and selling it?

Sam QS

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Oct 23, 2014
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I'm currently building gaming computers, nothing too expensive, probably like $700 usd, would such pricing be able to make profit now a days? I'll be looking into highly rated parts to put together and will be around $700 when I'm done. The holiday deals are making it very tempting for me to try it but I want to know what I'm getting into first. If anyone has any experience, please shed some light for me, thanks!
 
Solution
Unfortunately, there isn't a lot of money to be made building and selling computers; no matter the level of system (entry, mid-range, enthusiast).

At the entry level, you simply cannot compete with any computer found at Wally-World (Walmart) or CostCo.
At the mid-range level, you simply cannot complete with the likes of Dell.
At the enthusiast level, while you can make some money selling high-end computers over the likes of Alienware (Dell) and IBuyPower, you run into the higher cost of technical support.

So, in short, no. It's not possible to make decent money building and selling computers.

-Wolf sends
Everybody has a different idea of what they want.
Nobody is going to want exactly what you include in a prebuilt.
That is why complete used pc's on ebay will sell for less than the parts individually.

I might suggest offering a building service.
Establish a pricing structure such as cost Plus $100 or cost plus 10%

At a $700 price point, you might build a G3258 demo model and do some benchmark comparisons.
Market it as a upgradeable build along these lines:

------------------------------ budget build ---------------------------
For a budget build, I like to recommend that one builds for future expandability.
That means paying a bit more up front for some parts that allow for an easier future upgrade.
Let me start where you might not expect:
1. Buy a good 620w psu. Such a unit will run any future graphics card.
I would normally suggest Seasonic 620w:
2. Buy a Z97 based motherboard. Z97 will allow you to install a overclockable cpu and even offer a future 14nm broadwell upgrade.
You should find one for under $100.
Here is a M-ATX : http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157529
3. I suggest a G3258. It is a overclockable dual core at a budget price of about $75.
Here is what it can do: http://techreport.com/review/26735/overclocking-intel-p...
In time, you can upgrade to any cpu that you want and market the G3258.
4. The intel stock cooler will do the job up to a point. But, I suggest a $30 tower type cooler like the cm hyper212 with a 120mm fan. It will cool better and be quieter under load.
5. For ram, speed is not important. Buy a 8gb kit of 2 x 4gb DDR3 1.5v ram.
If you will be using the integrated graphics, I suggest faster ram. It improves the performance. 1866 is good. You will get a WEI of 6.4.
6. Cases are a personal thing. Buy one you love. Most will do the job for <$50.
It would be hard to beat $34 delivered for this Antec GX500 :
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129191
7. The graphics card is the most important component for gaming. My usual rule of thumb is to budget 2x the cpu cost for the graphics card. I like the GTX750ti and EVGA as a brand.
Here is a superclock version:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168...
You could go stronger in the video card if your budget permits and your games need it.
On the other hand, you could build using the integrated graphics and see how you do.
By deferring on the graphics card, you will get a better idea of what you really need.
Integrated is fine for sims, but not fast action games.
8. Lastly, I will never build again without a SSD for the "C" drive. It makes everything you do so much quicker. 120gb will hold the OS and a handful of games. With 240gb you may never need a hard drive at all. Defer on a hard drive until your ssd approaches 90% full.

-------------good luck------------





 

Wolfshadw

Titan
Moderator
Unfortunately, there isn't a lot of money to be made building and selling computers; no matter the level of system (entry, mid-range, enthusiast).

At the entry level, you simply cannot compete with any computer found at Wally-World (Walmart) or CostCo.
At the mid-range level, you simply cannot complete with the likes of Dell.
At the enthusiast level, while you can make some money selling high-end computers over the likes of Alienware (Dell) and IBuyPower, you run into the higher cost of technical support.

So, in short, no. It's not possible to make decent money building and selling computers.

-Wolf sends
 
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