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Comment by beart | Hacker News Reader

Putting the computer together is typically the fastest step in the process. However, you have to factor in trouble-shooting time if some component doesn't work. More wait time if you need to ship it back and get a new component. Then there's all the time up front to research desired parts and find the best prices. Filling out rebates and then having to think about getting the rebate check back for the next 4 to 8 weeks.

There's a lot more to time and cognitive load to account for than just plugging in RAM sticks.

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> you have to factor in trouble-shooting time if some component doesn't work.

> More wait time if you need to ship it back and get a new component.

> Then there's all the time up front to research desired parts and find the best prices.

These three downsides are not avoided by purchasing a pre-built, either.

Aren't they?

1: The computer has been tested before shipping (at least enough to install an OS on it), so odds that it's got a DoA part is virtually nil. 2: Sure, but see above: less risk that any components will be broken. 3: You don't have to do nearly as much research - you know that they're shipping you a working configuration, that the motherboard socket fits the CPU and the RAM in the listed configuration. You might still want to do research to try to find the best bargains or performance, but the time is way less.

What you described is not a normal experience. Sure problems crop up, but it also can and definitely does happen with a prebuilt machine. If you're already working on existing machine, wait time doesn't exactly factor into any of it.

I've never built a machine without at least one DOA part. I've never had one just turn on and work the first time either.

As someone who has built at least a hundred PCs, I have to assume that you are either breaking the parts yourself or buying from the shadiest resellers. Or, only built one and gotten very unlucky.

I build a PC every few years. You've built at least 100, so you're much better at it. You have the experience to avoid problems and solve problems that come up that the average builder doesn't.

The advice to someone like me, someone who just needs a new computer once in awhile, that building is the way to go, is not so obviously the best advice.

You said that you always receive DOA parts. This shouldn't be affected by experience, unless you are damaging them.

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