Abstract: This article examines the merits of investing in a prebuilt gaming PC by analyzing the context in which this decision is typically made and the many pros and cons that make up a prebuilt gaming PC. The article further explores the viability of a prebuilt gaming PC from a financial, technical and practical perspective. Ultimately, it recommends that potential buyers weigh up their needs carefully and make an informed decision.
Is getting a prebuilt gaming PC worth it? This is a question frequently posed by serious PC gamers looking to upgrade their gaming hardware. The decision to invest in a prebuilt gaming PC is often seen as one of convenience in comparison to the technical knowledge and time requirement that comes with building a custom PC. However, there are a number of factors to consider when weighing up the pros and cons of prebuilt gaming PCs.
A prebuilt gaming PC is assembled by a third party, and as such has a much higher price tag when compared to building a custom gaming PC from individual components. This is due to the fact that the company that has put the PC together typically adds a margin to recoup their labour costs and make a profit. Unsurprisingly, this means that someone buying a prebuilt gaming PC may not necessarily get the best value for money.
When purchasing a prebuilt gaming PC, it is also important to remember that the performance of your new machine will only be as good as its lowest-spec components. Therefore, it is important to research and understand the components that make up a prebuilt system to ensure that the PC you buy is suitable for your gaming needs, as well as any future upgrade potential.
Another potential disadvantage of buying a prebuilt gaming PC is the lack of customisation options. Generally, companies will preconfigure gaming PCs, so you get what you get, and there is no scope to tweak the individual components to fit your bespoke requirements. Furthermore, it is not uncommon to find prebuilt gaming PCs with bloatware, which can slow down the PC and can be difficult to remove.
Contrarily, purchasing a prebuilt gaming PC does have a number of advantages. Firstly, the time and effort needed to build a custom PC can be quite labour-intensive. By buying prebuilt, all the technical knowledge, building hours, cable management, and other fussy tasks are taken care of for you. Furthermore, many prebuilt gaming PCs come with warranties and customer support, just in case it all goes wrong.
Comparing Prebuilt And Custom PC’s Financial Viability
For many, the cost of a prebuilt gaming PC may be too great in comparison to building one from scratch. Building your own PC can provide huge savings, as authors at Techspot have noted, and there are significant cost savings to be had if the components are bought at the right time. Generally speaking, building your own PC will require some investment in learning the technical skills necessary to put the components together, but with YouTube tutorials and online guides, there are plenty of resources to get you started.
The financial viability of custom building a PC is often determined by what kind of gaming experience you are looking for. If you are a casual or entry-level gamer, then a prebuilt gaming PC may come with components that are more than adequate to meet your gaming requirements and, due to the convenience factor, may provide a cost-effective solution.
On the other hand, if you are a hardcore gamer, you may want to invest the time and effort in building your own custom PC, as not only will you benefit from potentially larger savings, but you will also have greater control over budgeting and cost-cutting. Furthermore, as you will be assembling the PC yourself, you can ensure that all of its components are up-to-date and able to meet your gaming needs.
Ultimately, what’s important to remember is that the purchase of a prebuilt gaming PC is best done after careful consideration of your gaming requirements and the performance of your current setup. Depending on the scale of your gaming ambitions, it may be well worth the time and energy to construct a custom gaming PC, as the long-term cost-savings when compared to a prebuilt alternative can be substantial.
Assessing Technical Features Of A Prebuilt Gaming PC
When comparing prebuilt and custom gaming PCs, the technical attributes of each should also be taken into account. The type of components present in a prebuilt gaming rig can vary widely, making it important to research the setup to ensure that it will meet your gaming requirements. Typical components in a high-end prebuilt PC include an Intel® Core™ i7 processor, a 2930X AMD Radeon graphics card, and 16GB of high-performance RAM.
Whilst it is true that the technical features of a prebuilt gaming PC can provide you with a great level of gaming performance, it is important to remember that these components are not necessary for everyone. Many gamers may find that their current setup is perfectly adequate for the type of games they play, in which case it may be better to invest in external components, such as an external graphics card or an advanced gaming mouse, instead of upgrading the entire system.
Also, with a prebuilt gaming PC, you may be limited as to what components can be replaced or upgraded. This could be an issue for serious gamers as it can make it difficult to keep up with the rapid advancements of modern gaming hardware, as in-depth knowledge on the various components that make up a gaming PC is often needed in order to keep track of industry trends.
Finally, the cost efficiency of prebuilt gaming PCs should not be overlooked. Depending on the setup, the cost of building a custom gaming PC can be high, so investigating the cost-effectiveness of prebuilt gaming PCs can be beneficial. It is important to note, however, that whilst they may be cheaper in the short-term, prebuilt gaming PCs may not offer the same value for money as building your own custom rig in the long run.
Exploring Practical Solutions For A Prebuilt Gaming PC
Whilst researching the components and cost of prebuilt gaming PCs, it is important to remember that there are a number of practical solutions that could benefit gamers who are on a budget or who are looking for a more convenient solution. For example, many prebuilt gaming PCs come with a range of pre-installed software, such as antivirus software or gaming-exclusive software, which can provide gamers with a number of useful features and easy access to a variety of gaming platforms.
Furthermore, prebuilt gaming PCs come with a range of additional services, such as free trial periods or access to exclusive games. This means that for gamers on a budget, prebuilt gaming PCs can still provide an affordable route into the world of PC gaming. Similarly, prebuilt gaming PCs can be a great solution for gamers who are put off by the technical knowledge and effort required to build and manage a custom gaming PC.
Another practical solution often offered by prebuilt gaming PC companies is the ability to upgrade or even trade in your current setup for a new one. This may be particularly useful for gamers who have a limited understanding of PC hardware and coding but still want to enjoy the latest gaming experiences and stay abreast of the rapid advances in gaming technology.
Finally, many prebuilt gaming PCs come with great customer service and after-sales technical support. This is an important factor, especially when considering that gaming PCs can be prone to technical and software issues. Having the peace of mind that comes with a warranty and support system in place can take away the potential hassle of such an investment.
Comparing Setup And Maintenance Needs Of Custom And Prebuilt Gaming PCs
It is important to remember that, when compared to prebuilt gaming PCs, custom gaming rigs require more knowledge, effort and time to setup and maintain. Not to mention the fact that building your own gaming PC also presents many different challenges, from purchasing the right components and being able to install them properly, to managing the cables and optimising your system’s settings.
The setup and maintenance of prebuilt gaming PCs, however, is typically the responsibility of the company that sold the PC. This means that, for new and experienced gamers alike, the time and energy involved in building and maintaining a custom gaming PC can be reduced significantly.
Nevertheless, many people still prefer custom gaming PCs as they allow greater control over the components that make up their system, as well as giving them the freedom to upgrade or downgrade specific components as and when they need to. This can be particularly beneficial for gamers who are looking to create a system with the maximum life-span and durability.
Conversely, prebuilt gaming PCs may be better suited to gamers who are more limited in their budget and knowledge. As the after-sales technical support and warranties that come with many prebuilt gaming PCs can make the process of troubleshooting and maintaining a gaming PC relatively straightforward, such systems can be a great solution for those who are new to the world of PC gaming.
Ultimately, it is up to the individual to weigh up their own needs and make an informed decision. Prebuilt gaming PCs may be convenient and cost-effective, but bear in mind that custom gaming PCs offer greater control and a higher level of performance.
