Do you want to join the band of gaming and curious whether to buy a prebuilt gaming PC or go the DIY route? Building a gaming PC will certainly provide you with more customization and knowledge. On the other hand, buying a prebuilt gaming PC is easier and may be cheaper if you go for the right model employing the right components. It can be a tough decision to make, but it doesn’t need to be, let’s evaluate the pros and cons of both options, then you can make a decision.
First off, when you go the ‘build-your-own’ route, the advantages are that you can select components that can last you for years to come, you can choose components that fit within your budget and you will be saving more money in the long run. You also have the flexibility to easily upgrade components at will, thus you don’t have to buy a completely new PC when you want to upgrade in the future – only change the component that you need which could be a graphics card or RAM for example. Going with this route will also provide you with more control over the system’s setup where you choose every component that goes into your system including the case, cooling modules, processors, lights and more that will keep your PC looking fantastic.
On the other side, buying a prebuilt gaming PC is much easier and faster. You don’t have to worry about compatibility issues between the components, nor do you have to worry about the time that it would take to assemble and test the PC. There’s also an extensive range of prebuilt systems to choose from, and when you’re looking for a prebuilt gaming PC, you should choose one that has been assembled with essential and long-term use components. Depending on the hardware components, these PCs can be cheaper too compared to building your own.
Now, you must consider factors that are specific to your needs before making a decision. Don’t be enticed by prebuilt gaming PCs that seem to cost lower but use lower quality components that need to be replaced in the near future. So make sure you get a variety of offers and never set your PC aspirations too low. Also, you will need to factor in your experience with computers and their hardware. If you are not a technically knowledgeable person or someone with no time to assemble the components, a prebuilt PC is probably going to be a better option. However, if you have experience with PCs, electronics and hardware, building your own PC is likely the smarter decision.
Majority of Pre-built Gaming PCs are Underpowered
If you go for a prebuilt system, it is somewhat impossible to find such gaming PCs with high-end components that can play your favorite games at 4K for less than $2000. That’s because majority of pre-built gaming PCs are underpowered, and you won’t be able to get the absolute best performance with your games unless you assemble the components yourself. If you’re looking to make visual enhancements to your games, optimized gaming PCs will even out the performance gap.
Additionally, prebuilt gaming PCs also have some ability to be upgraded within certain limits. You can always upgrade your prebuilt system but decide what components in it can be upgraded. You can get BIOS updates, a new graphics card, or perhaps a cooling fan, but unfortunately, all these require a specific, compatible part to be added correctly. It is not that you can upgrade at anytime like in a DIY PC build.
Furthermore, pre-built gaming PCs tend to include OEM versions of operating systems that may include viruses and spyware. For this reason, you should always consider an operating system option for your prebuilt gaming PC, either from Amazon or from the manufacturer. Uninstalling the pre-installed version is also an option and should be done with caution.
Prebuilt Gaming PCs includes Pre-installed Drivers and Utilities
Admittedly, building a gaming PC yourself can consume time and be quite a hassle, and with pre-built gaming PCs one of the advantages is hassle-free and convenient setup. Set up time and installation of various drivers and utilities is already done for you and you can get to work as quickly as possible. Pre-built often also come with a software suite that simplifies usage of the system.
You also have access to 24/7 tech support when you buy a prebuilt gaming PC, which means you can call in to the manufacturer’s tech team in case the computer configuration isn’t behaving the way it should. But, you may also be faced with tech support that isn’t very knowledgeable and thus doesn’t actually help you with your problem.
Although building a gaming PC may cost a tad more, it does give you the ability to customize, upgrade, and change out components as you desire. However, if you’re looking for convenience, then buying a prebuilt PCI is likely the best option. Ultimately, it all comes down to you – whether you want the versatility and control of building the PC yourself, or want to go with a prebuilt option from the technology brand of your choice.
DIY Build Gives More Customization and Performance
If you’re a tech enthusiast, builder and you have some spare time on your hand, building your own gaming PC is a lot of fun and exciting because you can shop for components as you wish. You can find the best deals, select your desired CPU and motherboard, pick a suitable graphics card, add an SSD and then, really take your time and make sure you have picked the right components that fit your budget and have the right performance.
By building your own PC, you can also go on the cheap side and purchase used hardware instead of getting a fully branded hardware. In addition, when you buy components separately you can usually find higher-end hardware than what is available in most prebuilt systems. And, building a gaming PC from scratch can provide you with more performance than buying a prebuilt system in the same price range.
Although varying in cost, you generally get more for your money with a DIY build. You don’t need to worry about getting components with compatibility issues and you can customize the components within your price range. Also, when you build your own PC you’re always sure that the parts you’re getting are compatible with each other, reliable and from a good brand.
Finally, if you decide to build your own PC, it doesn’t mean that you have to go at it alone. There are plenty of online communities out there that will help you out with various issues or if you have questions. In addition to that, there are plenty of online step-by-step guides on building your own gaming PCs and you can also consult a technical-savvy friend for further help.
Getting the Right Prebuilt Gaming PC is The Real Challenge
For those of you who don’t have the time to build a PC or are not willing to take the risk of doing it, prebuilt gaming PCs are a great option. Although not offering much customization, a lot of prebuilt gaming PC companies offer variety of options and each of the model offers different sets of specs. The main challenge is to get the right prebuilt gaming PC and it requires extensive research.
When getting a prebuilt gaming PC, make sure to go with a brand that you can trust and offers reliable hardware along with warranties and after-sales service. Also, it’s important to make sure that the hardware components used in the prebuilt gaming PCs are of good quality and will provide good utility. It’s also wise to check what other users are saying about the particular model in terms of performance, reliability, upgradability and the after-sales service.
In addition to that, you should also be aware of the warranties that go along with the prebuilt gaming PCs. Most gamers don’t know that often the warranties that come with pre-built gaming systems are very different from those of components. It’s also wise to know the charges for upgrades and repairs and customer service. And before making a purchase, it’s a good idea to have a clear budget that covers the entire PC configuration.
Prebuilt or DIY: Evaluation of Both Options
Deciding whether to buy a prebuilt gaming PC or to build one yourself depends on several factors. You should always consider the budget, expected performance, stability as well as your technical knowledge and available time. Building a gaming PC can be rewarding but requires technical knowledge, time, and patience to assemble the components, configure and set up. Prebuilt gaming PCs are fast, easy and come with experienced technical support but may not be powerful enough, depending on the price you pay.
The bottom line is that the decision is ultimately all yours, and the best approach is to compare the prices of all the components you intend to buy and then evaluate what you can achieve with a prebuilt gaming PC within the same budget. Also, make sure you’re getting lengthy warranties and customer support before making your purchase. Whatever decision you make, make sure that it works best for you as a gamer.
