How do I explain this?

[c_marriott]

My girlfriend and her brother both want to build new PC's but their parents are against custom built's and want to go to a 'guy' about a pre-built one. 

I can understand their concern about custom building as there are a few more risks than pre-built's but how can I explain to them that it is the best option?

 

They do not have a lot of money to spend on the computers so I'm trying to convince them that this will save them a decent amount

[Godlygamer23]

Put together a build that is the same price or even a lower price, but is better.

[STRMfrmXMN]

My girlfriend and her brother both want to build new PC's but their parents are against custom built's and want to go to a 'guy' about a pre-built one. 

I can understand their concern about custom building as there are a few more risks than pre-built's but how can I explain to them that it is the best option?

 

They do not have a lot of money to spend on the computers so I'm trying to convince them that this will save them a decent amount

A Dell or HP prebuilt's PSU will blow up in about 5 years and take out your hard drive when it does go. You only get a warranty on shortest lifespan of whatever components are in there. There's tons of shitty software on the PC when you buy it that slows it down.

 

If you want a hand-made prebuilt then you can PM me as I run a custom PC business and you can tell them that they're getting a warranty and whatnot with one of ours. Nonetheless it's going to save them a lot of money if they get a PC that's actually built well.

[79 Potatoes]

Put together a build that is the same price or even a lower price, but is better.

A million times this...

[c_marriott]

Put together a build that is the same price or even a lower price, but is better.

 

Done that, for both of them, the brother found one on online, I built it on pcpartpicker and it was £100 cheaper, still not convinced

[Guest]

Be careful in situations like those, if anything goes wrong they will blame you. If they are hard to convince than just let them do what they want.

[Godlygamer23]

Done that, for both of them, the brother found one on online, I built it on pcpartpicker and it was £100 cheaper, still not convinced

Do they know you built a computer?

[c_marriott]

A Dell or HP prebuilt's PSU will blow up in about 5 years and take out your hard drive when it does go. You only get a warranty on shortest lifespan of whatever components are in there. There's tons of shitty software on the PC when you buy it that slows it down.

 

If you want a hand-made prebuilt then you can PM me as I run a custom PC business and you can tell them that they're getting a warranty and whatnot with one of ours. Nonetheless it's going to save them a lot of money if they get a PC that's actually built well.

 

That is a very good point, I could look more into warranty's on the pre-builts and the parts I found to show them. Bloatware as well is a pretty good point. 

 

Think they just don't understand how someone can build a PC like its basically a completely different way to pre-builts. 

[c_marriott]

Be careful in situations like those, if anything goes wrong they will blame you. If they are hard to convince than just let them do what they want.

 

I would just let them do whatever but they are planning to go to a guy who will charge them more for less and I want to make sure they get the best for their money

[c_marriott]

Do they know you built a computer?

 

Think so, I've put it together twice and helped a friend build his but still don't trust me

[STRMfrmXMN]

That is a very good point, I could look more into warranty's on the pre-builts and the parts I found to show them. Bloatware as well is a pretty good point. 

 

Think they just don't understand how someone can build a PC like its basically a completely different way to pre-builts. 

I think they think it's literally rocket science to build one which you should show them it's not as hard as they think. Just don't throw your screwdriver at the hard drive and stab yourself with it later and you'll be good. If you have your own PC you can dismantle it and rebuild it in front of them to show that you can do it.

[Guest]

I would just let them do whatever but they are planning to go to a guy who will charge them more for less and I want to make sure they get the best for their money

Just let them do that, i learned the hard way that. Your was to present them with other way, their is to chose.

[SImoHayha]

Done that, for both of them, the brother found one on online, I built it on pcpartpicker and it was £100 cheaper, still not convinced

why not build it for them?

[Yoinkerman]

the power supplies and motherboards are junk in off the shelf computers.

 

It's entirely plausible the power supply will light on fire.  ON FIRE.  Not hyperbole.  Literal flames.  It's not difficult to extrapolate how badly that scenario can end.

 

Also if they ever want to game the off the shelf ones are even more junk.

 

If they want something with a warranty, at least look at something like a digital storm pre-built.

[c_marriott]

I think they think it's literally rocket science to build one which you should show them it's not as hard as they think. Just don't throw your screwdriver at the hard drive and stab yourself with it later and you'll be good. If you have your own PC you can dismantle it and rebuild it in front of them to show that you can do it.

 

Her brother said they thought that 'building one is more dangerous than nuclear war' He may have been exaggerating a bit but yeah, basically what you said. I said to my girlfriend that I could take her old one apart and put it back together for them if it comes to it

[Tedster]

Show them graphs of failure rates of prebuilts.

[c_marriott]

Just let them do that, i learned the hard way that. Your was to present them with other way, their is to chose.

 

I would but I don't want my girlfriend to get a crap PC, they have to have these for the next 5 or so years

[c_marriott]

the power supplies and motherboards are junk in off the shelf computers.

 

It's entirely plausible the power supply will light on fire.  ON FIRE.  Not hyperbole.  Literal flames.  It's not difficult to extrapolate how badly that scenario can end.

 

Also if they ever want to game the off the shelf ones are even more junk.

 

If they want something with a warranty, at least look at something like a digital storm pre-built.

 

I could find some articles about pre-built PC's having issues and blowing up, may help push them

[79 Potatoes]

I think they think it's literally rocket science to build one which you should show them it's not as hard as they think. Just don't throw your screwdriver at the hard drive and stab yourself with it later and you'll be good. If you have your own PC you can dismantle it and rebuild it in front of them to show that you can do it.

This should work if the problem is that they don't have any confidence in you.

But if they're close minded/stubborn people and they look hesitant after you built them a PC be prepared for the worst just in case something happens to the pc...

[c_marriott]

Show them graphs of failure rates of prebuilts.

 

Must be some somewhere, I'll look around, just want to do what I can 

[c_marriott]

This should work if the problem is that they don't have any confidence in you.

But if they're close minded/stubborn people and they look hesitant after you built them a PC be prepared for the worst just in case something happens to the pc...

 

I'm aware that I will need to take the blame for any faults but as long as they don't misuse the PC then any issues I should be able to diagnose and solve easily

[Yoinkerman]

Well I wouldn't worry too hard.  I have no time for people who aren't willing to listen.  If she has a junk computer maybe she'll want to come over and use yours.

[Guest]

I would but I don't want my girlfriend to get a crap PC, they have to have these for the next 5 or so years

Dont worry it cant be that bad. Its true that sometimes custom build can be cheaper but not a lot. Make a configuration for a bit lower price and tell them to ask that guy to make pcs with those components. That way they will have quality pc. win-win

[Yoinkerman]

I'm aware that I will need to take the blame for any faults but as long as they don't misuse the PC then any issues I should be able to diagnose and solve easily

 

It's a trap!

[Yoinkerman]

Dont worry it cant be that bad. Its true that sometimes custom build can be cheaper but not a lot. Make a configuration for a bit lower price and tell them to ask that guy to make pcs with those components. That way they will have quality pc. win-win

 

That's not a bad idea.  If dude builds it with decent components it won't be a lemon.