PCs: Is it better to build or to buy?
Deciding to build or buy a PC is a much-debated topic. Some see building a PC as a way of saving money. Others see buying as a less complex option, with easier aftersales support.
There’s pros and cons either way, but which is best? After doing the research, I concluded that there is no ‘‘best’’ option. It comes down to your needs. That said, a simple rule is that it is cheaper and easier to buy a low-end PC. Building a high-end PC will often deliver more bang for your buck.
The rationale for this is simple. PC manufacturers operate massive economies of scale and buy components in bulk. This means that a low-end desktop PC is likely to be far more affordable than one you’ve built. Performance-wise, odds are that you’ll not notice many performance differences either.
One exception to this is notebook PCs. Trust me, buying is best. Unless you have watchmaker-like skills. Unless you have access to affordable notebook PC components, and infinite amounts of patience, don’t build a laptop.
Another consideration is support. Pre-built PCs tend to have solid after-sales support. DIY PCs are a usually mash-up of many different components. This and big variations in how computer stores offer tech support means that your mileage will vary.
With high-end PCs (e.g. for gaming and other demanding tasks), the rules are different. There are many reasons. One of the biggest is that most pre-built high-end PCs cost a bomb.
With some judicious shopping, you can build a powerhouse desktop PC for less using components that PC makers aren’t likely to incorporate into their PCs for some time.
Building has other added benefits. For a start, you get to tailor your PC to your specific needs. This allows you to make compromises that would be unavailable with a pre-built PC. So, you don’t need to decode the human genome or crunch mountains of data, no problem! Buy a mid-tier CPU and spend the savings on a better graphics card.
Building also means you use off-the shelf components. Many PC makers use proprietary parts to keep costs down. Upgrading proprietary components isn’t always possible. This is important as you’ll be able to save money longer term by re-using some components when you upgrade.
While high-end PC components such as Intel’s Core i9 10 core CPU (which has enough grunt to handle almost anything you’re likely to throw at it) and a motherboard that supports Intel Optane (which combines the affordability of old school mechanical hard disks with near solid-state drive performance) can be bought from most good computer stores, few big brand gaming PCs offer similar specs at a comparable price.
A quick check online reveals that Alienware’s excellent Area 51 gaming PC (which sports a core i9 CPU, NVDIA GeForce GTX 1080 graphics card, 64GB of memory, a 512GB SSD and 2TB hard drive) sells for $7699.
Checking at my local computer shop revealed that a comparably spec‘d DIY PC was $6977.25. This represents a saving of $721.
So, which is best? The answer is that there is no correct answer. If the thought of dealing with the complexities of building your own PC gives you hives, buy. If you don’t mind rolling up your sleeves and want more control over your PCs specifications, build.