Pro gaming has become incredibly popular over recent years. The world at large is more connected through the Internet than ever before, and with the current level of technology, gaming has become an increasingly interactive and highly competitive activity. As a result, more and more gamers are looking to invest huge wads of cash into their gaming machines. But is buying a pre-built gaming PC ever a logical decision? Here, we answer that question with a look into the pros and cons of buying a pre-built gaming PC.
First off, the most obvious pro for pre-built PCs is that they come pre-assembled. That means, no headaches for the buyer trying to jumble around different computer accessories and parts trying to put together a functioning gaming computer – everything just comes ready to play!
That also means big savings on troubleshooting and management expenses. With a pre-built computer, you don’t need to manually setup the inside of the machine – something that can take significant amounts of time and money to achieve.
However, pre-built computers come with an inevitable trade-off. For one, they tend to come with significantly less options available compared to custom built PCs. This means that pre-built gaming PCs might not be able to handle the kind of performance and gaming specs that a custom-built gaming PC can.
Similarly, pre-built PCs tend to be markedly more expensive compared to custom-builds. The convenience of having a gaming PC arrive pre-assembled does come with the cost of paying for slight markup with each component.
Moreover, pre-built PCs can often come with outdated software and components. It is not always easy for the company putting together a gaming PC to stay on top of the latest and greatest tech – something which can be especially problematic for gamers who want to stay ahead of the curve on their gaming.
Ultimately, whether buying a pre-built or a custom-built gaming PC is a good idea depends on the individual’s needs. Pre-built gaming PCs can be great for gamers who need the convenience and that’s it. Custom-builds, however, come in handy if the individual needs specific components, specs, and software.
Money Savings Benefits of a Pre-Built Gaming PC
One clear pro for buying a pre-built gaming PC is the money saved from not having to manually assemble the components. Custom-builds can sometimes require spending time researching and cross referencing the best possible deal in the market for components. But with pre-built gaming PCs, the buyer gets a one-stop shop for all the computer parts. No need to go hunting around – the machine just gets delivered at the doorstep ready to play!
Perhaps more importantly, the pre-built computer is often the more cost-effective option in comparison to a custom-build. This is because the company selling the gaming PCs can often come to better deals with component manufacturing companies than an individual would be able to. This discounting is often passed on to the customer in terms of price.
Moreover, pre-built PCs often come with bundled accessories like game pads, controllers, and other gaming peripherals that can further reduce the final cost. All these makes the pre-built gaming PC an enticing option for gamers for whom cost is an important factor.
It should also be mentioned that pre-built PCs offer a much easier return policy. If something isn’t working, there is no need to worry about trying to figure out which component is broken. Just send it back for a replacement!
Finally, one other pro for the pre-built gaming PC is that, because it is already pre-assembled and ready to play, the buyer has much clearer idea of what they’re getting than they would with a custom-build. Doing the research and being able to discern the best gaming components and specifications can take significant amounts of time. But with pre-built PCs, that’s all taken care of, as it’s all right there in front of the buyer and ready to go.
Compatibility Traits of Pre-Built Gaming PCs
When considering the pros and cons of buying a pre-built gaming PC, one major point to consider is that of compatibility, as this is a factor that all gaming PCs need to be equipped with regardless of whether it is custom-built or not. As of 2021, many high-end games require a certain specifications of hardware in order for them to run properly, so it’s important to make sure that a pre-built gaming PC is able to handle the required specs. Fortunately, many companies that sell pre-built gaming PCs provide clear information on the key specs of their products.
For example, a customer might need to know the total RAM their pre-built gaming PC has in order to check if its compatible with a particular game. It’s easy to source this information by doing simple searches online or speaking with the company that’s selling the pre-built gaming PC directly. This is undoubtedly a major advantage when considering pre-built technologies.
It’s also worth bearing in mind that many pre-built gaming PCs come with built-in hardware like graphics cards, cooling systems, and other specialty components that are designed to handle heavy gaming. This means that they don’t need additional hardware, giving pre-built gaming PCs an advantage in terms of compatibility over custom-builds.
Interestingly, a pre-built gaming PC can also sometimes come with software specific for gaming, such as support for audio or visual effects. This can further add to the list of pros for pre-built gaming PC, as this software can often be cost-effective and make gaming much easier. It’s certainly worth researching what kind of pre-installed gaming software the pre-built gaming PC you are looking to purchase comes with.
Finally, in terms of compatibility, pre-built gaming PCs also have the advantage of being able to be upgraded over time. Many companies offer the option to purchase extra components and upgrade your pre-built gaming PC, meaning that it can grow with your gaming needs. This is something that many custom-builds don’t offer, and is yet another pro in favor of pre-built gaming PCs.
Factors to Consider With Pre-Built Gaming PCs
When looking into pre-built gaming PCs, it is important to understand the potential pitfalls that come with one. One of these is the potential for pre-built PCs to come with outdated components. With custom-builds, the individual has greater control over which specs they want in order to get the best performance out of the machine. With a pre-built PC, on the other hand, the user is at the mercy of what the company selling the model has supplied it with.
It is for this reason that pre-built gaming PCs might lack some of the features, specs, or software that custom-built PC have. For hardcore gamers who need the absolute best performance out of their gaming machine, pre-built PCs are usually not the best option.
Moreover, it’s worth noting that, due to their limited options, pre-built gaming PCs also tend to lack in terms of adjustability. Many custom-builds come with several adjustable features like fans, cooling systems, and other components that can be adjusted according to the user’s needs and preferences. This kind of flexibility is lacking with pre-built gaming PCs, mostly due to the fact that many of the specs, features, and components have already been predetermined by the company that is selling it.
Another thing to remember is that pre-built gaming PCs tend to come with limited warranties. This may vary from company to company, but in general, pre-built gaming PCs don’t come with long warranty periods as compared to custom-built PCs.
Finally, it’s also worth taking into account that pre-built gaming PCs come with minimal customization options in terms of their design. For example, the user won’t be able to select a particular color scheme that they are fond of or a personalized case design, something which custom-built PCs offer more of.
FAQs About Buying a Pre-Built Gaming PC
Before deciding whether a pre-built gaming PC is the best investment, here are a few frequently asked questions (FAQs) which can provide more insight into the matter.
Q: Are pre-built gaming PCs good for gaming?
A: Yes, pre-built gaming PCs can be great for gaming, provided the buyer has done their research on the specs of the PC, and ensure that it is strongly compatible with their desired games and/or applications.
Q: Are pre-built gaming PCs upgradeable?
A: Yes, many pre-built gaming PCs can be upgraded over time. It is worth checking with the company selling the model to see if additional components and other hardware can be bought and added to the gaming PC.
Q: Are pre-built gaming PCs more expensive than custom-builds?
A: In general, pre-built gaming PCs are more expensive than custom-builds. That is because the company that is selling the pre-built gaming PCs has to add markup to the individual components making up the gaming PC.
Q: Are pre-built gaming PCs more reliable than custom-builds?
A: Generally speaking, pre-built gaming PCs can be just as reliable as custom-builds, as long as the buyer takes care to research their product and ensure that it is properly compatible with their desired gaming and/or applications.
