own build vs custom build

[jimmybrick]

I have come across this custom build
http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showpr...odid=FS-453-OE

I can get the parts a few hundred pound cheaper but have never done a water cooled build before is it better to pay the extra and have the 3 year warranty or risk making a mess of the build

[ModJPB]

There is a wonderful feeling of acomplishment if you build your own, hit the power button, and it all starts up fine.

Water cooling can be a huge pain if not done correctly. If you buy a semi custom water cooling kit like an h100a then I would say go for it. if you are thinking of a full custom install and have never done it before then I would suggest you research A LOT about picking proper parts, especially fans, hoses, and pumps. also sometimes even if a case says it supports water cooling radiators you still may have to do some drilling and cutting. If you have never done this before and dont have someone to assist you it may be worth the extra money for a prebuilt especially with a 3year warranty on a watercooled setup.

[Mokona512]

Liquid cooling kits have gotten easier to setup over the years. It is now at a point where even someone building their first PC, can jump right into a custom liquid cooling setup.

When you buy prebuilt, just know that you are giving up the individual part warranties, for a single warranty from the system builder, which will often require you to spend a lot of money mailing in the entire system (depending on what goes wrong). Most of the individual warranty will be much longer than 3 years, thus if you are looking for long term reliability and coverage, then building the system your self will be the best choice.

PS, that system seems very overpriced. before VAT, you are essentially looking at a £700 price premium over building it yourself (at least if US pricing for components are used, then the price in input into a currency converter). That money can easily go into getting a better SSD, (or 2 512GB 850 pro's in raid 0, or a PCI-e SSD, or a 3rd GTX 980 + extra radiator and waterblock

PS, liquid cooling the GTX 980 will not improve overclocks of that card. On air, it runs well below the overheating temperature, even when overclocked, and there does not seem to be a card available with a completely unlocked voltage regulator.

The 4790K needs liquid cooling to reach its max overclock, but if you are not feeling confident in a custom liquid cooking setup, you can go for the sealed all in one 240mm or 280mm liquid cooling units (they will not look as fancy as the custom loop, but they will get the job done.

If you are 100% not confident, , and have lots of money burning a hole in that wallet, then buying prebuilt may still work okay (since if the system survives 3 years with no failures, then it is likely to last many years more (you just won't have the piece of mine of having some 5-10 year warranties in addition to a lifetime warranty on certain components).

PS if you decide to go custom liquid cooling, on your first build, then I recommend doing some test connections outside of the case first, e.g., rig up some tubing, then run some water through it, or practice making the connections, then put one end over a faucet and get some water pressure in it. Once you figure out the connections, then you are good to go in getting a safe liquid cooling setup.

[jimmybrick]

Yeah unfortunately US pricing doesn't work in the UK because nvidea/amd been American companies and the parts have to be shipped to the UK the stores that stock parts here have to include import tax and custom fees as part of the sale. Someone mentioned in a previous post that they can get a 980 for $500 well here a 980 will start around £480.

[Mokona512]

Wow, that's some serious price gouging. you are looking at a nearly $230 price markup, just so ship a product to the UK from china VS from china, to the US.

if you want no risk,then going prebuilt will work, but if you choose to do your first custom liquid cooling setup, expect to spend a few hours building the system, since you have to make time to do some test fittings outside of the case, then test them with some water pressure to make sure you are doing everything properly before doing the custom liquid cooling setup in the case.

[Counter]

IMHO the real issue is the operating system. It's very expensive to own and install a fresh OS, but it's hard to say you really own the computer otherwise. If you can find a cheap key, and install the OS yourself, the cost of prebuilt and home building are about the same. Performance now ...no person serious about performance would ever buy a prebuilt system. Period!