Is it still cheaper to build a PC from scratch than to buy prebuilt?

I didn't build from scratch but before Covid, I found a Dell Optiplex desktop with an 3.6 GHz, i7 processor with no RAM or HDD for $70. I had (2) 4 GB RAM laying around, so I bought two more for $20, a 1 TB SSD for $50, upgraded the PSU which was $60 and a GTX 1660 for $130. So, $330 and it runs the games my family play with zero issues. I had a spare 32" TV that we hooked up to use as a monitor.

I'm not a big "bells & whistles" guy so the clear case and lights weren't necessary.

I haven't bought anything pre-built (besides laptops) since the early 90s. What everyone else has said about corner cutting is accurate. The vast majority of users will never notice, but when you try to upgrade something, that's when you usually find the "WTF! All these expansion slots are Microchannel, not ISA!" (That's proof of age, whippersnappers.)

My tactic is to buy components over time to take advantage of sales and bundle deals at places like Newegg. Power supplies and cases never "age" out, nor do cables. You can upgrade to a huge SSD in your current rig, and the transfer it into your new rig next summer, etc. The only sort of danger point is RAM, if you're ultra concerned about something being on the manufacturer compatibility list.

Also, the video card is a *huge* cost factor, but all you have to do is go one or two generations back and reap the savings. I'm playing Cyberpunk 2077 on an RX580 I bought 5-6 years ago just fine, for instance.

Take a different view on the PSU. Yes, I can find a great one for $200. However, think about the PITA of pulling off both sides of the case, unplugging things, etc. The power supply is my second least favorite component to mess with, only front panel audio/USB connectors make me want to murder people more.

quote:

---

Not necessarily cheaper but if you spend more you get more bang for you buck.

---

Ummmm, nah

I haven't bought a pre-assembled desktop machine since the early 90s. Prefer to select my own parts and build it myself. It used to be significantly cheaper, maybe not so much over the last 6-7 years... but I get exactly what I want in my machines, and have no compatibility issues with non M$ OS's.

Either way Best Buy would not be near the top of my list for purchasing any computers.

It’s more satisfying to build your own.

I’ve always bought new ones but I’ve enjoyed making “Frankie” pcs that wound up costing nothing.

Build your own. The pre-builts all use cheap motherboards, RAM and PSU's. They also usually use stock Intel/AMD coolers which suck.

If you're going for the latest gen CPU's (Intel Raptor Lake or the AMD AM5), a stock cooler will not cut it. New Intel processors can pull 300 watts (lol) if you turn off power limiting. AMD isn't as power hungry, but you can still pull 200 watts or so with the 7950X. If you use stock coolers on either of these, your speeds will be throttled.

I’ve built 2 PCs and they last much longer because the hardware is a higher quality.

He probably doesn't know what that is. OP, PCPartPicker lets you pick components, warns you of compatibility issues, and tells you the cheapest vendor to get each component from, including what rebates are currently available.

If you look at this basic example, you can see how it works. You can take a pre built template and modify things as you see fit to fit your objectives.

Pre-builts can be cheaper because they used outdated parts and generic shite that gets the job done.

It depends on what you need a PC for. If it's just to connect to the internet and do spreadsheets - get a chromebook and put linux on it.

If you want a gaming PC, do what the others said and use PCPartpicker. They have good templates for putting together a PC at whatever budget you have.