Prebuilt PC vs Custom PC: Which One to Go For?

In this article I will tell you the major differences between a Prebuilt PC vs Custom PC. What are the things you should consider before goi...

In this article I will tell you the major differences between a Prebuilt PC vs Custom PC. What are the things you should consider before going for any one.

"Yaar PC lena hai, kaunsa lu? Assemble kara le!" The question and an answer when a person wants to a buy a new computer. A common question and a common answer.

Prebuilt PC vs Custom PC or the Branded PC vs. Assembled PC battle is a long one. Long-long time ago, during the ice ages Custom PC clan raised their heads against the dominant prebuilt systems and the rest, as they say, is history. Well that is a bit of exaggeration but I think that you get the story. To find out who wins this battle, read on!

The difference between the systems

Before moving on to the points of scoring, let us know the difference between both the systems. Keep in mind that by systems I mean the common desktop format PC. (I think you should know that by now by looking at the site's name)

Prebuilt PC System


This is a Prebuilt PC. Image courtesy- HP



This is a prebuilt PC too. Image courtesy- AVADirect

By definition any computer system which was assembled or manufactured by the company and sold under its brand name can be termed as a prebuilt system. This also includes custom prebuilt systems like AVADirect, Digital Storm Systems and many others. Usually they offer little to no selection of parts or customization. They also vary by types and configurations and some are productivity and home oriented and others are mostly suited for performance or gaming. Reputed suppliers include Dell, HP, Lenovo, Alienware, Acer etc.

Custom PC Systems


A SFF custom PC. Yes that is wood! Image Courtesy- Wikipedia

Custom systems are built by you and for you. You are the sole person responsible for choosing the parts and assembling them. You can build the systems for your specific needs and customize it to the last bit of wire. You can go for a SFF (small form factor) home theatre PC or can build yourself a behemoth of a PC. Every configuration is unique and every PC has its own personality.

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Prebuilt PC vs Custom PC - Choosing One


Choosing a system can seem like a daunting task at first. If you have never done it before or you are a novice then GBs, TBs, MHz, M-ATX or ATX - all these terms can give your brain a serious workout. Even an experienced person can sometimes get overwhelmed with the various choices available. Then it all comes down to the person - what should he choose? Should he sit back and order a prebuilt system or stress his brain and build it himself?

Fret not; all you need to do is analysis of the uses of the system and your needs and wants. So here is a brief rundown of the points that will help you to make a better decision and investment.

Ease of setup

If you just want to pick up a system and use it straightway then you should choose a prebuilt system. Set a budget, prioritize your needs or wants and just choose the desired system. Setting up a custom PC takes some time and work. Moreover reputed manufacturer like Dell, Acer, HP and others also provide free home assembly services. On the other hand while building a custom PC you have to go over the tiresome process of checking every part and finally putting it all together.

Winner- Prebuilt system

Warranty and After Sales

You get more warranty for individual components; that is a fact, but the peace of mind that you get from the after sales services of a prebuilt PC system is unmatched. Got a problem with the computer? Just make a call and a serviceman will arrive for inspection. All the big players provide this service and it is of great use for office environments. Get an AMC service and the deal gets even better.

Individual warranty of the components of a custom PC can be beneficial. The warranty can range from anywhere between 1 to 5 years. Some components also have lifetime warranty. Problem here is with the after sales support. It is largely dependent on the area of customer and the firm responsible for the service. There are

many stories

, both good and horrible, about the services of the component manufacturers in India.

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Winner- Both. Prebuilt for after sales and custom PC for warranty period

Customizability and Community

You know it; Custom PC= Customizability: The reason people get a custom PC. You can choose almost every component of the PC, that too according to your needs. Aesthetic reasons or performance needs, everything is covered. No prebuilt system builder provides you with this much of customizability. There are custom prebuilt system manufacturers, but they usually give you a package with limited choices.

The custom PC culture is also community driven. Various forums on the web provide you with such informative news, tips, reviews, troubleshooting options that most of the times it is the first place you want to visit when you have a problem or want opinions. This information and support is much more than an OEM manufacturer will ever provide you.

I would like to add one more point here. Many system manufacturers use OEM parts or components which can sometimes cause a nuisance. Custom PCs, on the other hand, with their openness allow the tinkerers among us to tinker to their heart's content.

Winner- Custom PC, that too by a large gap

Price and VFM Options

Price: The elephant in the room. Every decision of buying a new product boils down to this. Your wants are overshadowed by the needs which are in turn limited by your budget. To see how both the systems differ or are similar in price, I conducted a small research. I took a prebuilt system, noted the price and found the closest components and their price. And the result is this-

I chose the http://www.snapdeal.com/product/acer-veriton-ie3789-desktop-dc20302gb500gbkbdmouse3yrs/814993379?utm_source=aff_prog&utm_campaign=afts&offer_id=17&aff_id=94871 for the prebuilt system costing Rs 24,000 on Snapdeal at the time of writing. Specifications were-

Processor- Intel Pentium Dual Core G2030

Motherboard- H61 Chipset

RAM- 2 GB

HDD- 500GB

Keyboard Mouse Combo- PS/2

Chassis and PSU- OEM

Now the a custom configured PC with the same specifications was priced this-

Processor- Intel Pentium Dual Core G2030- Rs 3775

Motherboard- H61 Chipset- Rs 3152

RAM- 2 GB DDR3- Rs 900

HDD- 500GB- Rs 2947

Keyboard Mouse Combo- PS/2- Rs 400

Chassis and PSU- OEM- Rs 1500

DVD Writer- Rs 1000

TOTAL-  Approx. 14000

The result is clear. The custom configuration is cheaper and will perform at par with prebuilt system. Both the PC will perform basic office tasks efficiently but you are paying almost 9K more for the former.

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Winner- Custom PC

So who won the battle?

No one. They both lived happily ever after. They agreed on their differences and similarities and decided to end the battle for the better. But why this decision? As I said this is a difficult task. Every PC has its own uses and limitations. Prebuilt PCs have their own users and others prefer the Custom PC.

A person who wants to buy a PC for just normal business or office use, or want it for the kids or beginners, then he is better off with the prebuilt system. By going this route he can get discounts for bulk purchases or get the satisfaction of the comparatively superior after sales service. A basic user does not need the customizability offered by the custom PC nor does he want to tinker with its complex systems.

A power user, as they term it, wants more from his investment. He knows what he wants and how to get it. He is ready to compromise the comfort of the shady after sales support for better warranty period. He is ready with the band-aids that he will need while building his dream machine. He is ready to shed his sweat and blood... And no, it is not necessary to have an expensive machine; a properly configured cheap machine can also perform the desired tasks with same efficiency. At the end of the day, both machines are computers.

In the end you will need to bring out the analysis sheets and prioritize your needs. You will have to take into considerations all the factors and make an informed decision so that after the purchase you are happy and I am happier.

So thanks for giving your time to this article. If you had a good time reading this article or felt that this post helped you in some way, then please leave a comment below or share it with your friends.

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