What qualifies as a 'custom' computer?

[H0R53]

Before making a post complaining about 'wrong section' it doesn't really fit anywhere else.

 

What qualifies as a 'custom' computer? I have some examples I'd like to discuss. This has been bothering me for while now.

 

Example one - "The case swap"

Taking an ordinary PC out of its OEM case and putting it in a new case. Is this now a custom PC, or is it just 'Dell Inspiron 545 in a Core 1000"?

Example two: the 'tweakening'

An ordinary PC, but with a few aftermarket parts. Swap the processor, add more RAM and maybe an aftermarket video card - is it still the same PC just upgraded, or is it now custom?

 

Example three: "Nothing left untouched"

This pretty much qualifies as 'replace everything but the motherboard'. Aftermarket RAM, PSU, GPU, CPU, and maybe some spray paint on the case. Only parts left untouched are the MB and the case (maybe). Is it custom now?

 

Example 4 - The Frankenstein Monster

Finally, after replacing all your parts in your OEM PC you find that the case is a bit tight. You've replaced everything but the motherboard, including the case fans and the CPU heat sink! You transfer your OEM motherboard into a new case so things are a bit roomier. But oh no! Did you trade your "Dell Optiplex" business case for PCMR status? Or is the Optiplex 7010 SFF motherboard keeping you from ascension?

 

Example 5 - the 'Refurb Demon'

You found an older PC in a dumpster, a Dell Precision workstation, but it looks like it's missing quite a bit. You think you have enough money to fix it up. You buy all of the 'original' parts, but alas, they are still 'replacement' parts from Amazon and not truly the originals. You've found the service tag and the work you've done has upgraded the machine considerably from its default configuration, however all of the parts are still OEM certified, be they from other models or another product line. Have you ascended to godhood, or are you still a lame consumer?

 

 

These are all questionable. I didn't include things like:

Custom PC in OEM case

Prebuilt custom PCs

Perfect OEM refurbished (100% original configuration from replacement parts)

 

What are your guys' thoughts? What defines a custom PC? Is it the RGB and water cooling or is it the feels of an aftermarket case?

[samcool55]

Imo a custom pc is a pc that has something different than the OEM version.

If you have a pc and did something to it that isn't something it came with from the factory, it's a custom one

 

I draw the line there because you added something, you customized it to your needs and as soon as you do that, it's a custom one.

 

[Droidbot]

IMHO it's the user's customisation to the machine. 

 

if I have a prebuilt and I've thrown in an LP 1050Ti and called it a day, it's still 'custom' - it's 'customised' by the end user.

[Bananasplit_00]

ex1: not really but its still custom

ex2, 3, 4, 5: yes

 

thats is. a case swap is on the line but seeing as its not an OEM system entirely and you had to assemble it yourself its a custom PC too.

[Oshino Shinobu]

To me, "custom" is doing something that you can't just buy off the shelf. Anyone can put PC parts in a case, doesn't really make it custom to me. I'd say a watercooling loop is custom as you have to actually arrange things to fit what you want, rather than just plugging things in to already determined slots. Things like custom mounting plates, mid-plates, custom sleeved cables (again, not ones you can just buy off the shelf) are what makes a "custom" PC to me. 

[H0R53]

Hmm... I just think of these things as 'Dell Inspiron with a GTX 460", not a "Custom PC". One or two things doesn't seem to be enough to warrant the custom label to me, which is why I asked for a broader perspective.

 

Like on a forum if someone asked for a spec I'd just say 'Oh, I have a Dell Inspiron 545 but i put a GTX 460 in it."

[Jumper118]

Even if it has a line drawn on it with a Sharpe it's custom. 

[Dzzope]

Wow you're really overthinking this... also many OEM motherboards are garbage and thus it's one of if not the first thing I'd replace if the CPU is going anyway.

 

 

IMO, its a custom build when it's not an OEM design.. thats to say the power & motherboard need to be replaced.. Case doesn't matter and a cpu is a cpu as is ram and storage, the OEM's do the same thing as you as far as those parts are concerned. It just so happens that most OEM boards have massively cut down features vs an off the shelf part and really shitty PSU's, hence they are what I consider to be core of an OEM build vs a custom build..

 

In taking an OEM build and adding to it / replacing parts... again, as the motherboards are often custom designs for their builds, I'd say it's XXXX model with / in etc

[PrimeSonic]

I don't think I've even heard the term "custom PC" uttered at all in recent memory.

Is this an actual concern?

 

Making something "custom" in any case means that you've made some change to the item beyond what the "off the shelf" version of it could be.

No matter how much or how little of a change it is.

 

Did you build your PC yourself, assembling it from all the individual components? Yes, it's custom.

Did you buy an off the shelf DELL and through a new graphics card at it? It's custom too.

Did you transplant that DELL into another (prettier) case? That's custom too.

 

I wouldn't over think this too much.

[RAM555789]

If it voids the warranty you definitely know its custom

[juretrn]

That's a bit of a philosophical question; kind of like asking "what's moral?".

None of the examples is wrong; it all just depends on who answers.

Personally, I'd call a PC "custom" if it was

a. built to spec on order by a professional

b. built by end-user. 

[NumLock21]

Anything that has been changed by the user from the original specs.

Got 8gb and you change to 16gb, it's a custom build.

[ZackBarletto]

Some of these sound like simple upgrades. Like when I add 4GB of ram to my grandmas laptop, I just simply upgraded her and did really make her a custom PC. She still has a shit install of HP Windows 7 with 15+ 100% useless apps. So to me she doesn't have a custom PC now, she still has one of the worst pieces of machinery in the family. lmao

But i do understand it was still "Customized"

 

To me, custom is anything that would cause you to load / re-load your own operating system. If its pre-built and you put a stick of ram in it.... it still has all the downfalls of an OEM computer. And even a reinstall of OEM versions is a nightmare with all their customization. Its not quite as bad as it used to be, or when you by business grade hardware, they tend to lighten up on the bloatware.

 

If you upgrade the storage, cpu, chipset, etc. and have to reinstall OS and load your own drivers with no bloatware or useless power managers, battery doctors, smart safe lock useless things, more software, useless software, etc....

 

THEN its custom. You know what you put in it, and what you installed on it.

And as @RAM555789 said. If it voids the warranty, its also probably custom