I've been checking out various pre-built systems, and I even visited MicroCenter in Houston to explore custom build options. However, I'm finding that the prices are quite similar. Is that the norm, or am I overlooking something? For instance, I found this [pre-built](https://www.newegg.com/andromeda-insights-elite-gaming-desktop-pcs-geforce-rtx-5070-ti-amd-ryzen-7-9800x3d-32gb-ddr5-2tb-nvme-ssd-50-vector-black/p/3D5-006J-00056) that seems reasonably priced, but my custom build also costs about the same. Thoughts?
4 Answers
Yes, pre-builts can often be pricier. They typically charge you for labor and shipping, and the components might not be top-tier. Always check the quality of the components they use. It's common for prebuilts to have lower-quality motherboards and power supplies included in the setup.
It's often said that pre-builts are more expensive than building your own. Think of it this way: if you're buying a pre-built, you're essentially paying for the guarantee of having a functional system and support if something goes wrong. DIY saves you on that service—you handle everything yourself!
Most of the time, pre-builts do end up being pricier. It's like buying a banana for 50 cents and then selling it to someone for a dollar—obviously, the mark-up exists to make it worth their effort. I've never seen a pre-built that's cheaper than a DIY build.
If you're shopping at MicroCenter, you should be able to get a better deal than most pre-builts, especially if you take advantage of bundle deals. I tried a PCPartPicker guide and ended up with a build that performed similarly for around $1800, which is a great price compared to many pre-builts.
Totally agree! Don’t forget about RAM configurations too; they can use single channel instead of dual channel, which affects performance.