DIY pc - time and effort needed for maintenance?

[Artyom]

Am considering whether to do a diy pc or get it from aftershock or something. Read online that some people chose not to do diy pc after a while because they don't have time (or rather can't be bothered) to fix and maintain after a while.

I'm likely to start work in a year's time, and not sure how much time is needed to maintain/fix the pc? Wouldn't really want to spend my evenings trying to troubleshoot and diagnosing the problem.

Though of course another things is that buying pre-made is a lot more expensive; tried comparing some of the part prices and it seems like buying from aftershock is about $400 more expensive. Or is it worth it to build it myself and then when the problems come I send to someone for repair? Also not sure how 'easy' a diy pc is, since I haven't really built stuff before.

Budget around 1.5k, will be using for a variety of games. A lot of suggested builds here already, think if i'm building one then I can just kope one of the builds after reading up on the parts.

Edit: Actually, with the current aftershock promotion it seems like the pricing is not bad now?

Warranty (Desktop) : 2 Years Parts Warranty (1st Year ONSITE)
Chassis Design (Zeal) : Zeal (Black & Red)
DESKTOP MOTHERBOARD (ZEAL) : AFTERSHOCK H110MH Motherboard
Desktop Processor : Intel® Core™ i5-7500 3.40 GHz Kaby Lake Processor (6M Cache, up to 3.80 GHz)
Thermal Compound : IC Diamond Thermal Compound CPU (Free Lifetime Thermal Compound Re-pasting)
CPU Cooling System (Desktop) :
Memory (RAM) : 8GB DDR4 2133mhz (1x8)
GRAPHICS CARD (DESKTOP) : ZOTAC NVIDIA Geforce GTX 1060 6GB GDDR5
M.2 SSD BAY (Desktop) : None
Solid State Drive (Desktop) : 250GB Samsung 850 Evo SSD (540 Read, 520 Write speeds)
First Hard Drive (Desktop) : TOSHIBA 1TB 3.5 INCH HDD (Buffer Size 32MB)
Chassis Fans : Standard Chassis Fans
Case Lighting : None
Wireless Lan (Desktop) : None
Operating System : Windows 10 Home 64 Bit

$1439

Not sure how much a bundle + assembly from SLS will be, probably need to go and ask for a quote. But aftershock pricing like can consider eh. Though I think some parts are not as good, but good thing is any problem I can just go back to them rather than going to the individual part distributor next time.

 

[suntanoi1983]

Am considering whether to do a diy pc or get it from aftershock or something. Read online that some people chose not to do diy pc after a while because they don't have time (or rather can't be bothered) to fix and maintain after a while.

I'm likely to start work in a year's time, and not sure how much time is needed to maintain/fix the pc? Wouldn't really want to spend my evenings trying to troubleshoot and diagnosing the problem.

Though of course another things is that buying pre-made is a lot more expensive; tried comparing some of the part prices and it seems like buying from aftershock is about $400 more expensive. Or is it worth it to build it myself and then when the problems come I send to someone for repair? Also not sure how 'easy' a diy pc is, since I haven't really built stuff before.

Budget around 1.5k, will be using for a variety of games. A lot of suggested builds here already, think if i'm building one then I can just kope one of the builds after reading up on the parts.

Assume: 1) you purchased all legitimate parts && 2) no custom water cooling = almost 0% maintenance needed.

unless u wanna learn to do everything urself, that's a difference scenario. I'd rather have the shop which I trust and get them assemble everything.

 

[xdrave]

actually, i was in the same situation as you. Aftershock PC or Custom DIY

If you prefer ease of warranty claim for a premium, go with AfterShock.

If you can dont mind abit of hassle, DIY

It's not hard to DIY, took me 3hrs (most of time spend is cable management)

for a 1.5k Build, see your needs i build mine for 1.5K. Aftershock will be charging much more.

 

[wwenze]

I find DIY PC actually easier for maintenance.

Take it from a guy who owns a Windows 10 tablet. Without any available drivers for the unknown parts, you have to resort to factory reset when things go wrong as opposed to a clean reformat. The reset process is slower than a clean reinstall, and still have to clean away the extra shytz after installation.

 

[Artyom]

Assume: 1) you purchased all legitimate parts && 2) no custom water cooling = almost 0% maintenance needed.

unless u wanna learn to do everything urself, that's a difference scenario. I'd rather have the shop which I trust and get them assemble everything.

self assembly needs more maintenance? Or do you mean more time cause I need to assemble it now? I have some time now though, it's only in the future I don't want to spend a lot of time researching on parts and whatnot.

I find DIY PC actually easier for maintenance.

Take it from a guy who owns a Windows 10 tablet. Without any available drivers for the unknown parts, you have to resort to factory reset when things go wrong as opposed to a clean reformat. The reset process is slower than a clean reinstall, and still have to clean away the extra shytz after installation.

Hmm true, you can just swap out the part and replace it with a new one. I'm also kinda sick of not knowing what's wrong all the time.

Though I'm not sure how easy diagnosing the problem will be.. and I probably need to see if the replacement part is compatible also.

 

[stylechap]

self assembly needs more maintenance? Or do you mean more time cause I need to assemble it now? I have some time now though, it's only in the future I don't want to spend a lot of time researching on parts and whatnot.



True,you can just swap out the part and replace it with a new one.

Though I'm not sure how easy diagnosing the problem will be.. and I probably need to see if the replacement part is compatible also.

Changing parts/maintenance will be very easy once you know how to build it and how each part works.

You probably only need few days to learn how to build one than wait few weeks for aftershock to build your rig.

 

[suntanoi1983]

self assembly needs more maintenance? Or do you mean more time cause I need to assemble it now? I have some time now though, it's only in the future I don't want to spend a lot of time researching on parts and whatnot.



True,you can just swap out the part and replace it with a new one.

Though I'm not sure how easy diagnosing the problem will be.. and I probably need to see if the replacement part is compatible also.

I do not know your technical background, and assumed this will be your first time.

If u want hassle free, just pay for a pro service, not to mention, if u buy some parts from the same shop, they offer free assembly. warranty and assurance from a reputable diy shop is the same as any branded boxes, only thing is u gotta find the distributor of a specific part for claims/repairs. I have never once had any issue with all my DIY boxes from SLS in the past 14 years, just know the limit when doing OC.

Warning, if u really do-it-yourself, it can be addictive! save the learning time for something else in life that will earn u better buck.

 

[Krabs.]

the only maintenance I did was use a rag to to wipe the outside filters every 2 weeks , wash the front filter with hose every 6 months , wiped half of accessible internal fan blades at the 1year mark

I don't expect myself to wipe the "hard to reach" heatsink before the 3yr year mark


I have 7 fans excluding graphic card
if you don't care .... can omit cleaning the fans totally

 

[singupingu]

Buy a casing that's easy to maintain. Clear the filter every 3 months. Clean the fans with vacuum every year. Air can spray the dust away from your components yearly too. That's all.

As long no liquid cool, that's all the maintenance.

Sent from Overpowered Phone Mark III using GAGT

 

[lifeishard]

I do not know your technical background, and assumed this will be your first time.

If u want hassle free, just pay for a pro service, not to mention, if u buy some parts from the same shop, they offer free assembly. warranty and assurance from a reputable diy shop is the same as any branded boxes, only thing is u gotta find the distributor of a specific part for claims/repairs. I have never once had any issue with all my DIY boxes from SLS in the past 14 years, just know the limit when doing OC.

Warning, if u really do-it-yourself, it can be addictive! save the learning time for something else in life that will earn u better buck.

LOL....totally agreed on the addictive part.

 

[JoePilot]

For me, DIY is definitely a fun hobby.
I'm especially interested in the thermal management aspect, and that includes airflow engineering. And then tweaking the fan speeds to achieve optimum temps with positive air pressure and minimum airflow.

 

[Pepperisk]

Barely any. usually once every few months just to clean out the dust

 

[u0206397]

Basic PC no need maintain. My PC 6 years never clean. Only opens up if need to check on something. Cheap PC site just buy a new one. No need worry. Once installed working fine no need to touch it. In fact the more u touch it by disassembling and reassembling parts for no good reason, there's a higher chance of breaking something. If it works, don't touch it

If you install many moving parts like cans and water cooling, that one requires more maintenance.

 

[archyng]

all pc pre build, diy or what not have to be kept dust free even watercooled pc (fans and radiator).

remember frying my gpu 20 years back as dust collected in its fan its so think it stop spinning then kaboom...

 

[haylui]

Just buy parts and ask the shop assembly for you. Maintenance wise is the same given a pre-built or diy pc.

 

[Trans-Am]

I prefer Diy.

It is cheaper than "branded" and there is an sense of achievement/happiness when you finish assemble your pc.

For maintenance wise, as many bro mention, If your pc isn't using water cooler, the only maintenance you need to do is clean filter and fans.

For me I'll do 1 more step, every 6 or 12 months I'll reapply thermal paste.

Sent from ┬──┬ ノ( ゜-゜ノ) 
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[rvyne7]

DIY or Pre-built you still need to do the maintenance. It's like owning a car you need to take care of your own stuff otherwise you'll spent a lot asking other people to do it for you

 

[rvyne7]

Just buy parts and ask the shop assembly for you. Maintenance wise is the same given a pre-built or diy pc.

I always do this.. Good shops actually recommend/advice parts and can even fit your budget while taking your preference too.

 

[wwenze]

With prebuild you get to have people look at it for you during the warranty period

But the typical enthusiast with a diyed com already knows more technical knowledge than the customer service. Most of the time spent calling is to convince them the part has spoilt and needs exchange.

 

[CrispyPeddler]

LOL....totally agreed on the addictive part.

yea. really very addictive. end up spending more time and money to diy.

i build my first one few years ago. now keep checking this forum for new stuff and plan to upgrade now and then