Anybody build custom computers?

[GoodSteward]

I feel pretty alone in my social circle since I'm the only one who is an electronic enthusiast. I build my own pcs, as well as work on them, etc. I was looking at trying to throw together a cheap gaming pc for my kids and wondered who on these forums are into the same kind of thing?

To make this about money, what price range do you qualify as a budget build? lol

[HundredK]

I don't, but I do have a nerdy friend who recently built his own gaming computer and spent an unbelievable amount of money doing it. He said if he'd wanted a budget one, he'd have just bought one of the off the shelf gaming computers. I don't know anything really about the specs of the components he chose (could ask him), but he seems quite happy with it. Worth noting that he's an uber gamer - a total nerd who is a video game programmer.

We haven't built a computer in at least 10 years. With the ability to spec out machines pretty much to your liking through places like Dell, we just haven't found a need. That said, I totally understand the appeal of it being a hobby.

[GoodSteward]

I don't, but I do have a nerdy friend who recently built his own gaming computer and spent an unbelievable amount of money doing it. He said if he'd wanted a budget one, he'd have just bought one of the off the shelf gaming computers. I don't know anything really about the specs of the components he chose (could ask him), but he seems quite happy with it. Worth noting that he's an uber gamer - a total nerd who is a video game programmer.

We haven't built a computer in at least 10 years. With the ability to spec out machines pretty much to your liking through places like Dell, we just haven't found a need. That said, I totally understand the appeal of it being a hobby.

They can get very pricey quickly. A "budget" gaming system is still going to be around 800$ if you have to buy everything.

I usually do just throw people at dell or Hp. They get warranties that someone else will honor instead of me having to do it. lol WHen it comes to high end systems it is far cheaper to build (sorry NoMacs allowed here...:P) than to buy. Low-end systems are not marked up much, but when you start adding better video cards or processors I've seen 100% mark ups compared to what I can buy one for and add myself. I am not that intense of a gammer anymore, but I enjoy it still. Being froogle I'm all about some ebay.

I got a 400$ power supply for 160$ that was only used for testing. I got a 130$ case for free after UPS broke the corner and I got a refund since it was too much to send back. I just used some epoxy and fixed it. I got a 130$ motherboard for 65$. THe list keeps going. I ended up with a 1000$ system I believe I had less than 600$ in. Same one would have cost 1500$+ with Dell. I guess this could go under the "post your wins" thread. lol

[Singuy]

I no longer build custom computers because it doesn't cost all that much more to have a professional company do it..especially with water cooling. I usually buy my own SSD, additional memory, and graphics card.

[mcsewnab]

I stopped building years ago. I just don't have the time or desire to deal with sourcing or supporting all the parts. I usually buy a Dell with decent specs and add a video card if needed. You can get some great deals on the Dell Outlet.

[HundredK]

Wow, $600 or even a thousand sounds amazing. Pretty sure my friend spent somewhere in the neighborhood of $8,000.

[GoodSteward]

Wow, $600 or even a thousand sounds amazing. Pretty sure my friend spent somewhere in the neighborhood of $8,000.

Jimminy Cricket! That's ridiculous. I hope he also plays on a 4k monitor or uses Eyefinity or something. Else that was a waste.

The problem with buying Dell or HP and adding parts is that they don't come with upgradeable power supplies and motherboards in most cases. You have to move into an already higher end system like an XPS desktop or Alienware that is built to add more in. Even then you are severely limited. I ran into this years ago when I went that Dell route too. Won't do it again. The motherboards and power supplies are built for them and are typically gimped as far as upgrades. To avoid that and get a higher end system from one of them you hit that point where it would have been cheaper to just build if you wanted a better video card.

The power supply I have will support any 4 video cards I want. Overkill? Absolutely, but I never wanted to run into the problem again. It also has a 10 year warranty.

It just comes down to what you want. Most people just want a computer that works. I like to build. To each their own.

[HundredK]

Jimminy Cricket! That's ridiculous. I hope he also plays on a 4k monitor or uses Eyefinity or something. Else that was a waste.

Oh yes, he plays on 4k, and he basically owns every piece of video game equipment that has ever gone to market. He's a total nerd who happens to be loaded. He took his computer building endeavor very seriously. It took him months to choose all the various components, but he's just very methodical like that.

[MonkeyMama]

My husband builds his own computers. I am not sure his reasoning.

My 13yo son is building a gaming computer right now. I am sure some of the motivation is just the experience (son is a tech geek) but I also get the sense it is a way better value than buying off-the-shelf. We are looking at $600 for a gaming computer.

(It probably also helps to live in tech central. I've been submitting all the component costs for my credit card's price match program but we've paid significantly below retail for most of it. I probably wouldn't even bother, but wondering about any Black Friday deals that we can maybe get credit for).

[dojo]

My father does this as a hobby. It's not as lucrative as before, since many people purchase laptops now, but back in the day it was a nice way to get some pretty decent 'specs' together and earn a buck with clients.

[GoodSteward]

My father does this as a hobby. It's not as lucrative as before, since many people purchase laptops now, but back in the day it was a nice way to get some pretty decent 'specs' together and earn a buck with clients.

That's true. Desktops are not nearly as popular, and a lot of those are now all in one systems which use laptop parts a lot of time.

You actually can make more money buying used business systems and reselling. Thats what I did.

[JoeP]

For me, I was into gaming and wanted to build a PC that can do that very well and also provide plenty of options for avoiding or minimizing obsolescence as long as possible by having options open. It is a beautiful system, plenty fast, and lots of capacity...plus I know the insides very well.

OTOH, we have a HP all-in-one touch screen in the kitchen area that is perfect for general family use. Fast, sleek, quiet, and it just works great.

[maryadavies]

Gamers like me do like to build our own systems b/c we can get exactly what you want for not as much money as buying a Alienware.

That said, my current desktop is a custom build by my brother, who will do that for family members if we get him the parts/op system. So it's still going strong, it's just more common among PC gamers really I think, tho I could be wrong.

[GoodSteward]

It's nice to know I'm not alone on this forum as a PC enthusiast. Due to working in the tech field I have a few systems here and there. 3 laptops, iMac, 4 all in one systems, one micro system being used as a ubuntu server for a few things, and my main gaming system. I have the parts for two more i5 systems I plan to build into gaming systems for my kids next birthday in 7 months.

I have two different networks as I test two internet connections for a local internet company. Both are around 20-30mb down and up, one feeds my office and other my house. Sucks for sharing one printer though since they are on different subnets. I have two wifi routers, one for each internet line, so my laptop in the house can just connect to my office wifi to print.

I also have a powerline adapter kit to feed my Vonage phone and my steam link. Those are fun.

[LivingAlmostLarge]

Sigh yes we are about to get a gaming computer. Probably around $1000. Plus an oculus. Anyway DH needs it for work. But he didn't need the $350 bose wireless headphones he just bought.