Build It Yourself?

In broad terms, building your own PC will bleed your wallet less than buying a pre-built system, but this isn’t always the case. If you’re patient, waiting to snap up decent parts on sale, you can always assemble a powerful computer on a sensible budget, but pre-built models do have their advantages: Tidy internals and manufacturer-assured assembly mean that issues such as overheating and component incompatibility are seldom a problem. It can also be a relief to have that manufacturer warranty to fall back on. Some even come with lifetime coverage.

A pre-built system lacks a few things against custom builds: They’re not bespoke, and many are needlessly tricky or even impossible to upgrade. If you’re looking for the ideal purpose-built PC, you’re better off taking the leap and assembling it yourself. Bulk-purchasing components means that pre-built systems can contain high-end parts at a relatively low premium, and there’s a certain degree of assurance that the chosen parts will function optimally together. Many come with unique cases that can’t be purchased standalone. These are often extremely nice to look at, but a challenge to actually work in should you want to fiddle around with your rig’s guts.

Pre-built systems have come far in the past few years. Current offerings from companies such as Alienware, HP,, and Corsair are powerful and effective, although they will result in a heftier price point. Higher-end pre-builds are generally a better option – if you’re assembling a PC on a tight budget, DIY is often the way to go. Ever evolving standards mean that prices are always in flux, and trying to build your own computer from scratch can be a potential minefield of bad prices. There’s also the funny middle ground occupied by groups such as PC Case Gear, who will build a custom PC on your behalf for an additional fee.