Custom build vs custom buy vs on-forum

[thatdamnjoe]

In the market for a square box after many many years of laptop only gaming.

Like the title says - I could just buy a pre-built custom rig off one of the many pc shops that supply such -but of course that comes at a price - curious how much I'd save by just speccing parts myself and building.

Could also buy parts on forum of course, but somehow the thought of component level buys without knowing usage history irks me. Feels like with lappies(which I have bought on forum before) the cooling *should* have been taken care of and its also less likely to have taken a beating from overclocks etc. could still be convinced otherwise. Also harder to judge whether getting good value - harder to figure out what a two/three year old part should cost vs laptop where its so standardised its easier to see whether you're getting a good deal.

Or buy parts/ another laptop off amazon and build self?

Thoughts? Advice?

 

[Dom]

In the market for a square box after many many years of laptop only gaming.

Like the title says - I could just buy a pre-built custom rig off one of the many pc shops that supply such -but of course that comes at a price - curious how much I'd save by just speccing parts myself and building.

Could also buy parts on forum of course, but somehow the thought of component level buys without knowing usage history irks me. Feels like with lappies(which I have bought on forum before) the cooling *should* have been taken care of and its also less likely to have taken a beating from overclocks etc. could still be convinced otherwise. Also harder to judge whether getting good value - harder to figure out what a two/three year old part should cost vs laptop where its so standardised its easier to see whether you're getting a good deal.

Or buy parts/ another laptop off amazon and build self?

Thoughts? Advice?

1 Rule - not Evetech.

 

[QuiXilver]

For me hands down first prize is buying parts myself and building it. There's fewer things as satisfying as building that rig yourself and fewer things as nerve wracking as powering it on that first time.

Second prize is buying it from Carb and doing it. I understand your concern though. I've only ever had good experience here. If you do your homework on the seller you should be good.

I'd never do pre-built. I like every bit to be high quality down to cables and thermal paste.


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[T3CH 1D10T]

Build it yourself! It’s so much easier than people realize and it’s quite a lot of fun.. You can get brand new items on this forum, save a fair amount of money too and know you are getting top tier components! But also wait a bit.. we have a lot of new stuff (cpu and gpu) launching over the next few months. So better tech, or better prices of older tech. I would say to stay away from pre-builds from like Evetech and them.. they don’t always use the ‘nice’ components.. Hope you come right bud! Just don’t buy from Evetech

 

[thatdamnjoe]

got the evetech message loud and clear - but there are plenty other players. Not sure what the thinking is for dealers, do I get a better price because I'm buying more or a worse deal because there's effort in putting it all together?

Also not afraid to build it myself have done so many times before albeit a decade or so ago. Just a little worried about getting a good deal - When I buy a machine its typically for a a good 3,4,5 years before its time to do it all over again

 

[thatdamnjoe]

Build it yourself! It’s so much easier than people realize and it’s quite a lot of fun.. You can get brand new items on this forum, save a fair amount of money too and know you are getting top tier components! But also wait a bit.. we have a lot of new stuff (cpu and gpu) launching over the next few months. So better tech, or better prices of older tech. I would say to stay away from pre-builds from like Evetech and them.. they don’t always use the ‘nice’ components.. Hope you come right bud! Just don’t buy from Evetech

Thanks for the advice.

Had to smile a little bit though because I recognise some of what I normally feel when putting together a parts wish list - if there's one thing I've learnt in 30-odd years of speccing Pc's its that there's *always* something hot and new just around the corner if you just wait a little while, only for it all to start all over again

 

[AinsleyHarriott]

Budget is important... What's yours?

 

[thatdamnjoe]

Budget is important... What's yours?

I typically play strategy/RPG titles and have a steamlibrary with plenty of unplayed games so no need for cutting edge stuff. Probably around R30k I reckon, but haven't got stuck into enough detail to see if that gets me a nice system.

 

[AinsleyHarriott]

I typically play strategy/RPG titles and have a steamlibrary with plenty of unplayed games so no need for cutting edge stuff. Probably around R30k I reckon, but haven't got stuck into enough detail to see if that gets me a nice system.

Wow OK... you can get a great system for that price.

 

[fatty]

But off carb don’t buy new, because the value for money you get here far outways new stuff


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[rinners]

I typically play strategy/RPG titles and have a steamlibrary with plenty of unplayed games so no need for cutting edge stuff. Probably around R30k I reckon, but haven't got stuck into enough detail to see if that gets me a nice system.

Sounds like you may as well do VR

 

[thatdamnjoe]

Sounds like you may as well do VR

how so?

Havent done any VR- but part of the reason for turnbased games/ ones I can stand up in the middle of is to be able to run off after toddlers/babies so not sure VR will work for me right now. 🏃‍♂️👨‍👨‍👧‍👧

 

[Dirtdiver]

If you on this forum you can never buy pre built, it's forbidden by the mods..rule. 554433 🤣.

Can get a great system for that budget. Buy where it's the cheapest and value for money. No point buying secondhand part here if you saving R100. So a mix of new and used is what I do. It's all about value for me