Building a gaming PC can be a rewarding experience and a great way to stay on the cutting edge of computer technology. It can however, be an expensive venture and a time consuming effort. So when deciding to embark on building a gaming PC, one should ask themselves if it’s the right time to do so. As the current market is loaded with components offering a range of features, prices and performance, it can be a tough decision to make.
The answer to this question largely depends on what type of person you are and the other resources you can bring to the table to build a gaming PC. If you are someone who already has the component knowledge needed to build a gaming PC, and can remain patient while subscribing to deals and bargains, then you may be OK with waiting to build a gaming PC. On the other hand, if you don’t have the component knowledge and rely on retailers, or if you can’t wait for the perfect deal, then this may be the wrong approach for you, and it may be worth building the PC now.
The first consideration when looking at building a gaming PC right away is the current component cost. This can be divided further into GPU and CPU costs. As most gamers would agree, GPUs tend to be the most expensive component in a gaming PC, and go through drastic cycles of high prices and lower prices. If the market is in a high, it may be worth waiting to buy the GPU or looking to an older iteration of the same GPU. This can have a positive or a negative effect, depending on the current market status and demand that doesn’t really correlate with basic supply observations.
On the other hand, CPU prices tend to remain relatively stable, with the exception of the occasional short-term price drops. If the current market is low, it might be worthwhile building a gaming PC now and making the most out of the current offering of components. Regardless, doing some research and crunching some numbers to get a better grasp of where the market currently stands can help decide if building a gaming PC now or waiting would be the best option.
Retailers should also be considered when looking at building a PC now or waiting. Depending on where you reside, there are some retailers offering great discounts for certain parts at certain times. In some instances, the discounts can be too good to pass up, and these should be taken advantage of if they arise. On the other hand, retail stores may also charge hidden fees so it is definitely worth looking around and doing the research.
Lastly, another important factor to consider is the power consumption. If you plan on upgrading your gaming PC later on down the line, you should consider the power requirements of your components and make sure they fit your existing power supply’s capacities. It would be wasteful to buy a new power supply every time you upgrade and you should also consider the possibility of potentially gigabytes of unused power if you already have a sufficient amount of power for the current build.
Performance
Performance is the most important consideration when looking at building a gaming PC whether now or later. After all, the point of building a gaming PC is to get the most out of the components you purchase. If you are willing to wait for the right deal, you can get a high-performance build that is also cost effective. What’s more, depending on the application you plan on running and how you plan on using the PC, you can also choose to upgrade certain parts of your gaming PC in order to get better performance.
However, you should also be mindful of the pitfalls when chasing the best performance. PCs are complex technological beasts and the components inside them need to be compatible in order to work properly. This means that you’ll need to carefully research and double-check your parts if you want to get the optimal performance out of them. It is definitely doable, but it is something to consider if you are chasing performance.
What’s more, when overclocking is involved, you need to make sure your system has sufficient cooling and ventilation as well. This is something that needs to be taken into consideration when building a gaming PC and it can be difficult to do when you are working on a budget. Not to mention, overclocking can also lead to potential instability in the system, leading to potential crashes and even damages to components, something you should definitely be wary of.
Moreover, many hardware enthusiasts choose to customize their gaming PCs to suit their own preferences. These modifications can include custom cooling in the form of liquid cooling and even custom LEDs and windows. These modifications are often done by the knowledgeable but can be expensive and time consuming so that should also be taken into consideration before embarking on the process.
Maximum Value
The aim of any person looking to build a gaming PC should be to get the best possible value for money. After all, if the aim is to play games and have a good time, then you shouldn’t be spending all your money on components that aren’t necessary. Building a gaming PC should be a fun experience and getting the most of your PC shouldn’t mean breaking the bank.
To get the best value for money when building a gaming PC, it all boils down to one simple factor: knowing what components you need and getting them in an orderly fashion. What this means is that you should start off by knowing what it is you need and do some research on the current product offerings and prices. After that, you should be able to know what kind of parts you need and the minimum price you should be paying for them. This way, you can get the most out of your money and you’ll end up with a gaming PC that fits your needs perfectly.
Moreover, many parts and components on the market come with a certain warranty period and this should be taken into consideration when looking for parts and components for your PC. The extra cost for the warranty could be worth it in some cases as it will ensure that your parts are covered in case of any damages and malfunctions down the line.
This should also apply to the power supply that you’ll be using with your gaming PC as well. Many gamers forget to purchase a reliable power supply and end up either spending more or getting something that isn’t suitable for their build in the long run. That’s why it is important to do research prior to buying a power supply and make sure that you get something that is reliable and will fit your gaming PC perfectly.
Conclusion
Building a gaming PC can be an expensive and daunting venture, but if you know what to look for and decide to wait for the right deal, you can definitely get a great value for money. Regardless of whether you decide to build your gaming PC now or wait, you need to do the research and crunch the numbers before making your decision and make sure that your gaming PC will fit your needs and run efficiently.
