When it comes to buying a new gaming PC, you want to make sure you spend your money wisely. Gaming PCs are expensive; you’re also likely to keep your chosen PC for several years. For these reasons, many PC gamers spend hours researching and figuring out what gaming PC to purchase before they spend any money. One decision you’ll need to make is whether to use a PC builder or buy all of the parts separately and build it yourself. In this article, we take a look at both options to help you make a decision.
Using a PC builder
A PC builder is a tool that makes building a PC much easier than selecting all the parts yourself. A PC builder lists all of the parts you’ll need for your gaming PC, including the processor, CPU cooler, PC case, power supply, graphics card and storage. You select each component from a list populated by the PC builder. The website will then inform you of any compatibility issues. This can be a highly valuable resource for novice PC builders. Compatibility is a risk when building any PC; if you select parts that aren’t compatible, you could end up causing damage and even breaking certain components. Some PC builders also do the build for you; they will put together your PC and deliver it to you, ready to use. This can be a huge time saver and great for those that don’t want to learn how to fit the individual components together.
There are some limitations to using a PC builder, there is no way they can list all of the parts available to purchase, so you’re being limited to what they have listed on their website or tool. In addition, some PC builders only give you a few variables you can change or upgrade; this, again, might not provide you with the options you want for your PC. You may also have to pay a premium for the parts or an additional fee for the labour and skills required to assemble them. If you’re buying your first gaming PC and want some flexibility to choose your parts but also want to ensure that everything will work together, a PC builder is a great option.
Building your own PC
In this context, when we’re discussing building your own PC, we mean buying each component separately from various different websites and physically putting them all together yourself at home. The accomplishment you feel when you’ve successfully built your own PC is great. You’ll learn so much that will help you in the future when you need to replace certain components to improve your PC performance. You can also save money now and in the future. You can choose parts from different websites, ensuring you get the best possible prices, and you won’t need to pay for the labour to put your PC together. If you have issues with one particular component, you’ll have the skills and knowledge to change that part without needing to pay for professional advice and support.
There are obvious downsides to building your own PC; you’ll need to dedicate enough time to do all of the research and learn the skills required. This might not be possible if you have a busy schedule and a full-time job. You might also make mistakes that will be frustrating and cost you more money to put right. To finish building a PC, you need to be committed and dedicate enough time to the project. Many people find themselves with half-built PCs that they never get around to finishing; this is a real waste of time and money and something you want to avoid altogether.
The answer to this question might be obvious, but if you’re still undecided, take a look at how much time you have to dedicate to building a PC from scratch. Building one from scratch is a good choice if the answer is a few hours a night and you’re really motivated to get the best possible PC for your budget. If you find you often start projects but struggle to finish them and you’d rather spend your spare time playing games, then you’d be better off using a PC builder.