Should I just build my pc or just buy a pre-built?

[cripplecats5]

Seriously, cryptocurrency mining has made parts so expensive now. I can't find a gtx 1070 that's under 500 and on top of that, ram is freaking expensive right now. So what should I do? Wait for prices to drop or buy a pre-built for cheaper?

 

[mazboy]

It has been argued (but I can't find the article, and I just read it 2 days ago) that you can buy an entire computer for the price of the GPU on the open market. I'd be looking at Dell particularly...

 

[delaro]

It's cheaper to buy a Prebuilt right now with the combined RAM and GPU price hike if your looking for something above a 1050 GTX. I don't see it dropping anytime soon, you can order directly from the manufacturer like EVGA but that means getting in line and waiting on them to get a shipment.

 

[bzand7]

I myself (live in Australia) built my own only yesterday and for me it seemed to be a lot cheaper, for the price I paid for all the parts anything that compared close pre built to it was an extra $400-$600 more, but keep in mind that over here it's about 750-800 for a 1070ti and I'm assuming where you live it might be $450-500 if your in the u.s etc so the price difference for a pre built may not be as high

 

[delaro]

Well at the moment nobody can beat Microcenter.

GPU at MSRP if you buy CPU/MB/RAM and Power supply from them. CPU and MB discount combos run $30-$75 off.

As for buying a prebuilt it depends on the amount your going to pay, at below $750 you can find OEM prebuilts that cheaper that what you can build but when your over $1000 you can get something slightly better as DIY.

You can still get GPU's at close to MSRP if you order from the Manufacturer and wait 3-4weeks, EVGA for one does this and it's about the only way you will find a decent price on a 1070 and above.

 

[aquielisunari]

Seriously, cryptocurrency mining has made parts so expensive now. I can't find a gtx 1070 that's under 500 and on top of that, ram is freaking expensive right now. So what should I do? Wait for prices to drop or buy a pre-built for cheaper?

I'd buy a pre-built if it's less expensive. Just make sure it's a normal PC. We don't want any proprietary parts like an odd motherboard shape, itx PSU or SFF case. Tom's recently offered their opinion.