Is buying a pre-built gaming PC a rip off?

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only_human89

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Nov 28, 2012
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I don't feel comfortable building one on my own. I'm guessing I would have to pay a premium for a pre-built setup, but are there any decent rigs out there? Is there a general consensus on a good site?

I have $1000 dollars.
 
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mamasan2000
If you can build yourself, prebuilt is always a rip-off. Paying for parts you don't need, replacing those parts etc. It's not that hard to build a computer. If you know how to use a screwdriver and read. Motherboard manual tells you exactly how to do it. I built my first one in 2000. There was no youtube, nothing, just the mobo manual to go on. Came out just fine. Watercooled too, when there were no kits to buy, none.

CPU decides what motherboard you need (socket). Also what memory you need, DDR3 or 4.
The rest generally works on anything, as long as motherboard has the connections. Most of the stuff is standard but m.2 is new and not available on every mobo. USB 3.1 is another that might not be standard yet. Can't think of anything...
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Martell1977

Martell1977

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Oct 26, 2010
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If you are not comfortable building your own and you don't know someone that can do it, then a pre-built system is the way to go. Custom built PC's would be cheaper for the same parts, but if you built yourself a system for the $1k you have, you would be able to get higher performing parts for that same money. Essentially, you have to pay the OEM to build it and for the longer warranty that they usually offer.

Basically:
Best Bang for your buck: Custom build
Cheaper for same performance as pre-built: Custom build
No assembly required, longer warranty: OEM built

As for good systems, I've heard good things about ASUS and some Dell machines, thought it's been a while since I've used one.
 
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mamasan2000

mamasan2000

Distinguished
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Jan 13, 2014
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If you can build yourself, prebuilt is always a rip-off. Paying for parts you don't need, replacing those parts etc. It's not that hard to build a computer. If you know how to use a screwdriver and read. Motherboard manual tells you exactly how to do it. I built my first one in 2000. There was no youtube, nothing, just the mobo manual to go on. Came out just fine. Watercooled too, when there were no kits to buy, none.

CPU decides what motherboard you need (socket). Also what memory you need, DDR3 or 4.
The rest generally works on anything, as long as motherboard has the connections. Most of the stuff is standard but m.2 is new and not available on every mobo. USB 3.1 is another that might not be standard yet. Can't think of anything else.

You could always link to a build on pcpartpicker or similar and ask the boys here for advise.

https://pcpartpicker.com/
 
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Geekwad

Geekwad

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Sep 25, 2015
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It isn't really a rip-off, you're just buying several hours of someone's (professional) time....which is money not going towards the parts.

Consider Microcenter for good pricing and reputation:

http://www.microcenter.com/product/459895/Envy_750-220_Desktop_Computer

That example is not an off-the-shelf assembly, but does offer decent specs for the price. The downside is that because the GPU is an OEM-style specifically made for HP.....the resale value isn't as high, but again, good specs for the price.
 
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