When it comes to purchasing your next PC, there’s a lot to consider. Before you place an order, you need to be sure that you’ve put in the time to research exactly what it is that you need. It doesn’t matter if you buy a prebuilt computer or start to buy components to build your own – getting it wrong can prove to be costly and frustrating.
We all have different needs when it comes to our machines. Whether you need your PC to play the newsiest games with the best performance, or just to use fast withdrawal casinos, this guide will show the benefits of both pre-built and building your own PC.
Some basic considerations
If you’re looking to get up and running in an instant, a pre-built gaming PC has the advantage of being ready to go. It’s almost as simple as plug-and-play. However, you may find that these types of computers are limited in terms of their components and this is something that may come back and bite you at a later date.
If you choose to build a PC, you’re in full control. You get to select the components that you know can get the job done. The downside here is that it can soon get expensive and any errors can be extremely costly.
Ultimately, both options have their pros and cons. We’re going to explore these now so that you’re better placed to make a decision.
Is building a PC the best option?
No matter what side of the fence you come down on, there is one thing that’s undeniable: successfully completing your own PC gives you one of the most rewarding feelings possible. It’s amazing to see the end result of all of the hours of research and tweaks that make the PC just what you want it to be. Is building a PC the right option for you though? Let’s explore the pros and cons of this option now:
The pros of building your own PC
- Cheaper over the long term – When it comes to assembling your new PC, there’s no getting away from the fact that it’s expensive. When you start to price up the individual components, you may well become tempted to ditch your attempt and just buy a PC. However, the reality is that a self-build project usually has much better components and it’s been designed for the exact purpose that you need it for. This leads to a longer life span and better value for money overall.
- Easy to repair – you can pretty much guarantee that the day will come when something goes wrong with a PC. When this happens with a self-build project it’s much easier for you to repair. You put the machine together, you chose the components and you know how it all works
- Better quality – When it comes to gaming, you really need your PC to be at peak performance. You can only really achieve this by building your own. A pre-built PC puts all of the focus on a GPU or CPU and all the there components can often be cheap and nasty. With your own build project, you hand-select every part of your PC and can assure that it’s all top quality.
Cons of a self-build PC
- Big upfront costs – Yes, long term you’ll see savings but the initial upfront costs can be a little off-putting for some
- User error – There’s no getting away from how rewarding it is to build your own PC. However, the downside is that the simplest of errors can bring your whole system down
- Lack of compatible parts – While repairs can be easy, it is also easy to fall into the trap of purchasing components which you then can’t get hold of again making repairs almost impossible
How about a pre-built PC?
Just as with the self-build option, buying a pre-built computer also comes with its advantages and disadvantages; Here’s a look at the main ones that you’ll need to consider:
Advantages
- Up and running straight away – Getting up and running with a pre-built computer couldn’t be simpler. It’s usually just a case of unpacking it and plugging it in before you’re ready to get going
- Cheaper upfront – Companies that make these PCs have the advantage of being able to buy components in bulk. This means that they get them cheaper and can pass these savings on.
- Fast delivery – Your pre-built PC will come from one supplier with just one tracking number to keep an eye on. This is much faster, and simpler than tracking numerous suppliers for the various components that you need to build your own
Disadvantages
- Harder to repair – Often with a pre-built PC, you’ll need assistance when things go wrong. Unlike a self-build project, with these PCs, it can be difficult to identify what the exact issue is
- Build quality – These PCs are cheaper upfront because there are areas where the manufacturers save money. They often cut costs with inferior components
- Lack of configurations – With manufacturers buying parts in bulk configurations of pre-built PCs is extremely limited. By opting for a pre-built machine you have no choice but to accept certain components
Final thoughts
The truth is that buying a pre-built PC and building your own will both get you where you need to be. It’s just that they take you on very different journeys to get there. Building your own PC is certainly exciting but, if you lack the knowledge and abilities, you can soon see yourself making mistakes and wasting money. A pre-built PC can often be seen as a safer option.
Whichever option you go for, the good news is that there will always be the opportunity to upgrade and optimise performance. Hopefully, by looking at the pros and cons of each option, you now have more of an idea as to which one suits you best.
