Own build Vs PC World

[chrisjdw]

Go DIY 100%, there are so many guides on there to building your first pc! Once you've done it, you'll have a great machine for a fraction of the cost, huge satisfaction knowing YOU built it, plus if things go wrong, the man who built it isn't called Tian Won from Xiangdong province. Lol.
To be fair it's pretty simple too, once you've got the mobo in it's like a dottodot/jigsaw

 

[ubersonic]

Own build (if I can do it) Vs PC World All-in-one computer; thoughts?

Own build:

Cheaper and/or Faster (these two battle each other but you can have both).
Good learning experience/fun (if you like it).

Store bought:

Has warranty.
Less hassle.

 

[Mariusz]

Either build it yourself, or buy a prebuild from OCUK that matches your requirements.

 

[Thekwango]

Own build:

Cheaper and/or Faster (these two battle each other but you can have both).
Good learning experience/fun (if you like it).

Store bought:

Has warranty. usually only 12months unless you stump up extra - the components you buy for a self build all come with their own individual warranties that are often 2,3 even 5 years - example: my corsair psu went pop after ~4years - brand new replacement shipped under warranty
Less hassle. unless something goes pop outside warranty, then they will try and screw you over which can be a lot of hassle

but I get where you are coming from on the warranty and hassle

 

[Quartz]

I just feel like it's much easier to just get one from there as I can't mess it up.

You can most certainly mess it up by not buying the right PC in the first place. Will their PC take a GPU? Or will you need to replace the PSU? Can you add extra RAM? Etc.

Surely building your own isn't that simple? I watched a vid online, but still not convinced I can do it.

Like many here, I can build a PC blindfolded, but it's a simple enough process if you take your time. The most difficult things are usually the case connectors for the reset button, power switch, etc. And you WILL make the Red Sacrifice.

If you're going to buy a pre-built system, then go to a top-tier company, not PC World. And avoid Packard-Bell.

 

[Greboth]

From best to worst, when considering buying a new PC you should;
1. Build your own
2. Order from OCUK and have them build it
3. Don't buy one
4. Continue using your old one
5. Steal one
6. Buy from PC World or other such retailers

When considering a single area on its own i.e. cost, then places like PC World can come out on top or near the top at the cheapest end of the scale. However when considering everything on balance PC World never ever wins as building yourself you can ensure good quality parts, balance the whole PC rather than focus on one area, keep options open for upgrades etc. It isn't something I have looked in to for a while but it used to be that ~£500-£600 it starts becoming cheaper to buy the parts individually and build it yourself.

Building a PC is easy though, there are plenty of guides around on how to do it. If you're nervous I would suggest watching/reading them a couple of times so you have it down and then give it a go. Run in to problems of have questions then just ask on here.

 

[spudbynight]

If you want an All-In-One get an iMac. If you don't want to buy an iMac, don't get an All-In-One.

 

[RyanF]

I spent ~£1k on my first ever self-built PC after suffering through half a dozen junk piles of garbage that PC World had to offer. I've changed components a fair bit since then but still running with it. It's dead simple and definitely worth it over dealing with "PC shops" likes PC World. If you absolutely don't want to self build it, do as others have suggested and buy a self built one from OcUK, guaranteed a good PC at a good price.

 

[AshB1989]

1. Build your own
2. Order from OCUK and have them build it
3. Don't buy one
4. Continue using your old one
5. Steal one
6. Buy from PC World or other such retailers

That's hilarious !!

I went to said shop today and checked out the AIO computers - not overly impressed to be honest.

As a result I'm going to brave it and build my own! Wish me luck and thanks for all the replies.

 

[wigster]

The only problem with building it yourself is if you dont know to much about them when something is not right.

My pc is home built and ever since it was built in 2005 ive had a problem with tearing in games,could never fix it,Then i started to notice it on youtube videos,If something is moving slow across the screen you get it. I had replaced near enough everything all but the mobo and cpu.

This is why im now getting a OC built one.

 

[AshB1989]

What cause that then? Can you get a spec together and pay them to build it for you?

 

[foster grant]

Self build is the way to go , and if your not too sure about how to do it....get advice on here ( Recommended ) ..and watch a few PC Build videos

 

[trisp]

I dont want to be rude but in pc world and currys in past years i have had 5 good helpful people who knew what they were talking about or understood what i wanted.... the rest just walked behind me and read what was on the plastic label and with the more = better mentality.

When i was young self building was faily complicated because parts were not as reliable and there was a lot less places to buy them, now everything comes with 3+ warranty usally and there is so much information around about building that its like playing with knex so if i were you i would buy the part's and build it yourself and if you want to be on the safe side just see if a family member or friend knows how to build pc's

 

[wigster]

What cause that then?

Are you asking about my problem? if you are then to this day i have no idea whats causing the problem, its got to be the mobo or cpu,i guess i could have took my pc to a repair place to see if they could find the cause. see to me unless you know about computers its a bit silly making one yourself as i spent something like £500 and it wasnt 100% perfect.

 

[AshB1989]

I know a fair bit about computers in terms of software and other bits 'n' bobs, but never built anything before.

I friend of mine (who told me to join this forum) should be able to help me if I get into hot water. I'm just waiting for a forum member to help me finalise a spec.

 

[[HB]Rugrat]

It's very very easy - pretty much like lego, but a bit more expensive.

You've obviously not bought any Lego recently

The main problem with any prebuilt system is that they're often compromised to keep costs low - so the motherboard may be a bottom of the range cheapo brand, the Psu may be unbranded and just about enough to power the system as it comes etc etc.

When you build your own you pick every part - it may not seem like much but the extra bit of performance in each component can add up to a fair bit, not to mention the additional reliability of getting higher end (or at least branded) gear.

From a decent retailer you often offset performance against backup if anything goes wrong. Where the purple shirt brigade are concerned however their appalling customer service is reason enough not to buy from them. Going back for years now, every single person I know who has bought from them and had a problem with their system has had a nightmare getting it resolved afterwards (or they've been sold something entirely inappropriate in the first place)

 

[P.B]

Just read a few tutorials build your own possibilities are endless

 

[foster grant]

I myself wouldnt go to either of those outlets to be honest , you can of course get OcUK to build for you