Prebuilt vs Custom PC – is a prebuilt gaming PC worth it?

Are prebuilt gaming PCs good? Should you buy a prebuilt gaming PC? Let's find out.

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Here at WePC we always recommend you build your own gaming PC, it brings a sense of accomplishment, adds additional value, and, of course, a new skill to your repertoire. That being said, not every new member of the PC master race wants to deal with the added stress that can come from selecting components or the physical building process, whether that’s due to time restraints or otherwise, and this is where the prebuilt gaming PC starts to make a lot of sense.

We are going to pit prebuilt Vs custom PCs, not to find the best option but to go in-depth about each of their pros and cons. We want to definitively answer questions like “Are prebuilt PCs worth it?” and ” Should I buy a prebuilt gaming PC?” to put you at ease when the time comes to buy a new system.

Prebuilt PC vs Custom PC

The main reason we try and get our readers to build a custom PC over buying one is simple – value.  It is no secret that you can squeeze in better hardware for your cash with a custom-built PC, with the markup on prebuilt computers usually costing the same amount as an entire component ($100-$300+).

Performance

While the performance of the prebuilt gaming PC is rarely in doubt, when building your own you could in theory include a better CPU or GPU into your computer for less. This means you could get even better performance for your hard-earned cash, get better in-game results, and future-proof your investment for longer.

Convenience

The main selling point behind a prebuilt gaming PC is it saves you the hassle. We understand that not everyone knows how to build a computer and may not even have the time to learn this new skill, so the convenience of a prebuilt makes a lot of sense. Of course, there are many more benefits to buying a prebuilt gaming PC from manufacturers, obviously, it takes the stress away from finding all the compatible components, while also preventing damage to said components when the time comes to build it.

With a prebuilt gaming PC, you are going to be able to send it back to the manufacturer if anything goes wrong. Furthermore, if you feel you need an upgrade, suppliers will often do this for you or at least insist you send it to them for an upgrade. Manufacturers will also dish out a warranty, usually covering parts and labor for around a year but some companies offer impressive warranties and you can always spend extra on insurance, giving you a lengthy/ lifetime warranty.

These prebuilt computers are from the biggest manufacturers around the world and aren’t just packaged nicely for you either, they normally stress test the system to ensure the components are working before shipping and that it performs as it should. You will also receive your system with software, usually with Windows and drivers pre-installed, so you can simply plug it in and start downloading games.

Why You Should Buy a Prebuilt PC?

• You don’t have to worry about compatibility between components, systems are spec’d, tested, and guaranteed to work from prebuilt PC manufacturers
• If you haven’t got the time to learn the building process, a prebuilt PC takes the stresses away, arriving ready to go straight out of the box
• If you face any hardware issues, you have the option to send them back to the manufacturer to fix
• Prebuilt gaming PCs come with warranties, protecting your investment for at least a year
• Some of the best gaming PCs will often come with additional items, such as a keyboard and mouse, however, these are often entry-level peripherals that you will need to upgrade at some point
• Prebuilt PCs almost always come with Windows 10 pre-installed

All the points above show there are plenty of positives for buying a prebuilt, as long as you understand there is a labor cost added on to these systems. Prebuilt manufacturers are a business after all, so a mark-up on the build is to be expected. The only real negative to a prebuilt PC is value, you are always going to be able to build a gaming PC of the same spec for less. It is down to you, there is nothing wrong with buying a prebuilt but building a PC is not that hard thanks to all the available written and video content out there, so give it a try!

A Prebuilt Gaming PC Is Plug And Play

Sure, you are going to have to download your games before jumping in the server but you can power a pre-built gaming PC and start as soon as it arrives. Manufacturers almost always pre-install Windows onto the PC, along with any necessary drivers and BIOS updates. The PC will also have the RAM speeds match the full potential that is advertised, you won’t have to go into the BIOS and XMP (overclock) the RAM yourself.

Don’t forget, that a few PC-building companies also include a free mouse and keyboard, so nothing is stopping you from enjoying the PC from day one.

Beware Of Entry-Level Prebuilts

While mid-range to high-end prebuilt gaming PCs offer excellent performance, there are some entry-level prebuilts that are simply not worth your money. Entry-level systems that feature integrated graphics or very old, weak graphics cards are a huge waste of money. While you can game on them, your experience will not be very enjoyable as you will be forced to play games in low settings and resolutions.

Sure, these prebuilts will suit some but if you have a small budget then you should reconsider building your own gaming PC and getting some value from your hard-earned cash.

The graphic above was made to show you what an extra few hundred dollars in your budget can do for your performance when building a custom PC. You are probably wondering what this has to do with a prebuilt PC, well because of the mark-up we discussed earlier, you could find yourself having the performance of the $400 build above when spending as much as $500 or $600! This example gets less extreme the higher up the budget categories we go but it gives you an insight into value.

Final Word

So, are prebuilt PCs worth it? Should you buy a prebuilt gaming PC? This is now down to you. We say it time and time again but you should always take the plunge and start building your own, it is very rewarding for a beginner, and with so much help online these days, it is hard to mess up. When it comes to a prebuilt Vs custom PC, a custom PC is always going to win, as they give you much more for your money and you are in control of every aspect of the build.

We don’t want to dissuade you from purchasing a prebuilt PC but if you think you are up the task, learn the building process and start saving yourself some money. Of course, with the current stock issues, no one would blame you for picking up a pre built gaming PC, after all, there are a lot of benefits when going down this path, it is just that none of them are financial.