Why Build a Custom Computer

You can get the hardware that you need and want. Most manufacturers today have options to configure their systems however these options are limited by model. This sometimes forces buyers to take more expensive models to take the one option that is needed.

Cost-Efficiency

Manufacturers are able to get big discounts on the hardware they are using. Despite that, custom built computers are still able to remain less expensive because of the associated side costs (R and D; employee salaries; margin; etc.). While you may be able to find cheap base computers, manufacturers usually overcharge for added options, such as memory, which can be as much twice the retail price.

Software

Many retailers offer software that are pre-installed on your computer. For some, there is the added benefit of not having to install it yourself. The drawback is that many of these programs often go unused by owners and use memory and hard drive space. You cannot choose what software you receive and cannot get a discount if you do not want them.

Upgradability

In designing and building your own PC , you have the added benefit of choosing components that can be easily upgraded in the future. The common drawback of manufacturers is custom made hardware that are not standard. At best, the hardware is not using standard parts and cannot be upgraded with anything but the manufacturer’s OEM part that are of course more expensive than off the shelf parts. It was the motus operandi a lot of manufacturers a few years ago. At worse, you cannot add anything because the manufacturers OEM part does not have an extension slot. For example, some low end systems can have an integrated video card with no AGP or PCI-E slot for you to put in a new video card.  Other systems only have enough PCI slots for the card you bought with the computer, so there is no way to add a sound card if the one on the motherboard is of bad quality or if you choose to add a tv tuner. Some manufacturers do use standard parts. However, it is usually for high end systems at a premium price.

Warranty

Most people think that because they buy from a manufacturer that they will have a better warranty. It is one of the most common misconceptions. Without buying an extended warranty, you will have a warranty equivalent to the one you will have buying everything yourself. Some components have a 3 to 5 year warranty (hard drives) and more flexible customer service.

Remember also that having a manufacturer’s warranty you will be at the mercy of that manufacturer. Your hard drive is acting up? You have the basic warranty? You need to return the whole computer to the manufacturer on your dime. If you are lucky you will have it back quickly.If not you will have to wait 3 to 4 weeks without computer. And of course your data is LOST, although there are an increasing number of manufacturers who offer data saving services for a high price. With a regular warranty, you could simply call the manufacturer to ask for an advance replacement where they send you the replacement part first, to back up your data to the new drive and send the old one back.

Quality

As mentioned above, most of the manufacturers use custom made motherboards that simply do not have all of the added features of the retail ones that may present the following drawbacks:

• Less extensions slot on the motherboard
• No name memory
• Subpar power supply (usually more noisy too)
• Less memory on the video card or lower clock speed
• Older chipset on the motherboard
• Custom made bios with less tweaking options.