I wanted to see what you all think when you think about the top ten reasons why someone should build their own computer...

It's built how you want it. That's my biggest reason I think. Other than the fact that it's fun.

Word...
like for me its about customization and control...
10. Its fun
9. Learn a lot while researching for the "perfect" build
8. Saves a TON of money
7. Make it look however I want
....

Few reasons:

1. You get to reuse existing parts. When next I want to upgrade I can still use my case, PSU, drives and soundcard and maybe my video card, RAM, etc. Depending on platform. This saves money.

2. You can OC. Many/most brand PCs will not permit.

3. Boutique PCs are nice alternatives and prolly let you OC but they are pricey. The cheaper major brand PCs have more limitations, as mentioned above. I'd say for an OC, gaming PC it's cheaper to get quality on your own build.

4. You learn how to build and troubleshoot. Keeps you from being at mercy of the god awful geek squads out there.


5. It's fun. I love a new build!

1. Cheaper
2. Sense of accomplishment
3. Greater control of quality
4. Greater flexibility and customization
5. Greater upgradeability
6. Learning experience

I'll add this

6. For the challenge. For some people the challenge is doing it for the first time. For others it's trying to make a build within a certain budget and getting the most bang for your buck.

I think I agree with the rest so far unless anyone has a better trump card.

7. Building it and having it turn on for the first time. (assuming it turns on)
8. Sense of accomplishment.

Avoiding "bloatware".

9. getting an unlocked BIOS
10. More drivers updated more often
11. longer warranty - most parts have 3 yrs
12. because you Can!!!
13. easier to upgrade
14. more power and more drives
15. see # 1

not such a big deal because I tend to NUKE AN PAVE a new PC anyways

Unwrappping the new components is always quite a lot of fun to me

http://www.alienware.com/build_vs_buy_pages/index.aspx

alienware seems to think otherwise. Hey guys lets forget building and buy an alienware (upgrade to q6600 for only $370,) it comes bloatware free(#1)

What a pile of crap from alienware. The only reason to buy and get ripped off by them is if you are lazy, technically inept and have money to waste. Not to mention the fun that comes along with building yourself.

We can have too many reasons why it's actually better to make your own pc. I personally would build my own pc but not everybody is in the same situation. Here are my 10 reasons not to build your own pc.

10. Time spent to learn about computer hardware and software.

9. Time spent to shop around for best deals for single or multiple components.

8. Time spent waiting for new and upcoming technology.

7. Individual warranties.

6. Getting accustomed to personal preference of PC building.

5. Trial and error of building a PC from the ground up.

4. In theory it works, doesn't mean it will.

3. Not practical for general user. Game consoles are.

2. Overclocking only matters to a small handful, the rest do not understand.

1. E-P3niS is a fabrication and is to not be confused with real hardware.

=D


The truth is if you can't spend more then $500 on a computer do not build your own, OEMs can get you a decent $500 computer with the OS pre-installed for you.

Buy a X-BOX360 or PS3 if you want to play games on a budget. If you have $1000+ then build your own computer, otherwise its really not practical.

But, if you are a slickdeals junkie more power to you! =D

only two reason.

more bang for the buck, extract the most out of your budget.

and it feels good beacuse you built the pc yourself.

three reasons =D

I'm all for building my own, and haven't bought one since my very first PC.

I think the biggest con is the rate of failure on components. I've learned to live with it, but I've not known anyone to get a manufactured system that was DOA. My last build went good, but my Seagate drive died during the migration from previous build.

The biggest reason for me is the option to upgrade. Nothing like getting a PC that touts RAID, and then learning after you buy it that you can do RAID 1 only becuase of D***'s locked bios.

I agree with your reasons. those are probably the same ones I would have put down

Another reason to buy prebuilt, is if you have extremely limited space; no room in which to build and test, and save packing material for inevitable RMA. I last bought a system when I was in a little 1 br. apartment.
Then you need to find a boutique vendor who will build and test what you want, although beware the cheap PSU.

because its yours. and you can do whatever you want change any piece without worrying about the seal in the case and void your warranty. and you know exactly how it works and how to make work

I agree with gwolfman, and add:

1a. maximize bang for buck, at any price
2a/6a. utter confidence to repair / upgrade in future
3a. attention to detail.
4a. personalized "value-weighting," e.g. CPU vs. GPU, case vs. HDD, etc...

U can also show off to your friends that you got a better computer than them and u built it yourself. Building your own computer does not get rid of any warranties when you upgrade.