I'm looking for a prebuilt gaming desktop for Minecraft, Fortnite, and newer games, plus some schoolwork. It would replace an older laptop that barely handled Minecraft and couldn't run Fortnite properly. My budget is roughly CHF 1,000–1,200, with an absolute maximum around CHF 1,400. I don't need a monitor or other peripherals. Are there reliable Swiss retailers worth checking, or would importing a system from Germany still be better value after shipping, taxes, and warranty considerations? I'm unable to build the PC myself, so I'm specifically looking for prebuilt or second-hand options.
4 Answers
For buying within Switzerland, check Digitec and Joule Performance. Importing may look cheaper at first, but shipping and Swiss taxes often reduce or eliminate the savings. Buying locally also makes warranty claims and returns much less complicated.
If you’re able to assemble a PC, building it yourself can save a substantial amount. A preconfigured system I compared through a German integrator was around €600 more than buying equivalent parts separately. There are plenty of clear assembly guides available, although a prebuilt is completely reasonable if building isn’t practical.
Second-hand systems could fit the budget, but check the exact CPU, graphics card, power supply, storage, and age before buying. For Fortnite and modern games, prioritize a dedicated graphics card and at least 16 GB of RAM rather than paying extra for unnecessary accessories.
German system integrators can sometimes be cheaper, and Dubaro is often worth comparing, especially its partner configurations. Just calculate the complete cost for delivery, Swiss import charges, and any possible warranty return before deciding.
That was my initial thought too. I’ve also heard of Mindfactory, so I’m trying to work out which German retailers are actually worth considering.
I’ve built one before, but health issues mean I can’t do that now. I’ll need either a ready-made system or a second-hand machine.