SLS vs prebuild?

[yang_nastyman]

I should preface this by saying the last time I built a computer from SLS was more than 5 years ago.

After doing some price comparisons I realized that certain online boutique "prebuild" companies do offer very competitive prices. Not sure if I can name the company (it's the largest one in SG) or it's against the rules here.

Due to GPU shortage, some shops in SLS don't even have them on hand, and those who do are offering them at high markups.

Is it still worth it to "bargain" hunt in SLS? Or is buying off pre build ones the best bang for buck ?

 

[watzup_ken]

This has been an age long question that we see very often. At the end of the day, you should know the benefits of DIY vs prebuild.

1. DIY gives you the option to pick any parts you want since you procure the parts yourself, while prebuild gives you some flexibility, but may not necessarily offer the best parts. Are you ok with the limited selection of parts on the prebuild machines?

2. DIY - Generally I would recommend this path only if you are PC savvy, i.e. can troubleshoot and maintain the PC, and, if you have the time to do it. If not, the prebuild takes these issues away.

Price wise, prebuild tend to be more expensive, because they factor in the after sales servicing. Generally if you select like for like parts, i.e. same brand and model, the prices on DIY tend to be cheaper. Tend to be cheaper because the GPU prices may skew the price advantage from what I observed recently.

 

[chaoprokia]

Carousell has alot GPU seller from oversea import buy those with international warranty like EVGA u be safe.

there is no need to care much about GPU. get an inbuilt GPU with processor.

Unless u are sure to do 4k gaming or high intense gpu power there is no need to buy expensive gpu.

or get a cheap gpu that wont be used for mining those gpu will be alot cheaper.

SLS and pre built no diff all ask someone to do.

DIY is the way to go watch some youtube and u good to go. buy the parts when it arrive plug it u done and it boot up.

Window 10 just do a bootable usb thumb drive.

 

[KYZT2021]

Not all SI are the same, some will you but liao no after serivce, some will provide after sale support, so remember to ask cos some are out to earn a quick buck, some are already very long in the market

 

[entertaint]

Personally highly recommend pckaki if you want those you give a budget/part list they build for you kind (I forgot what this is called). Great after sale support and don't try to upsell when I ask questions also.

But honestly I think nowadays best is you know roughly what you want go out there get quotes from multiple stores then compare yourself. Then pivot the discussion here to the after sale support after you narrow down.

 

[transparos]

I should preface this by saying the last time I built a computer from SLS was more than 5 years ago.

After doing some price comparisons I realized that certain online boutique "prebuild" companies do offer very competitive prices. Not sure if I can name the company (it's the largest one in SG) or it's against the rules here.

Due to GPU shortage, some shops in SLS don't even have them on hand, and those who do are offering them at high markups.

Is it still worth it to "bargain" hunt in SLS? Or is buying off pre build ones the best bang for buck ?

my last build is also around 5 years ago. now GPU are slowly more in stocks in SLS, give it more time and i think can go back to the past where it's readily available i guess. as for pricing, we have to see if it will drop.

one thing about buying from online retailers is that some of the parts they give u limited option to choose whereas in SLS, of course if parts available u can choose those brands you want.

 

[guile]

Problem with DIY from SLS, getting a graphics card from them will be a bit hard unless you get a complete system or 3/4 of a system. Sometimes the shop may not have the other available part that you're looking for or its cheaper to get a certain part from another shop which you can't if they ask you to get a complete set from them based on the graphics card you're looking for.

Its not like last time when it comes to graphics card. But if you aren't particular about what graphics card model/brand to get, then its fine.

 

[soulblader_89]

I prefer old school SLS

it is not abt the price or cost saving, it is more like the experience of me building something, some component can get online, some I prefer to get from SLS, and the weekly comparison of pricelist between different shops and choose the best value item is more interesting than me walk in to best denki and randomly select one prebuild model right

The time and sweat and research involve make the whole process more meaningful. The last time I have such experience is 10+ years ago when I was still a student. You can get the joy and ownership after u successfully build a desktop

Nowaday not much do such thing with the advancement of technology, and convenient of buying prebuilt from challenger/online

And also nowaday ppl buy iMAC, so building is not longer mainstream as last time