Having a PC has become much more of a necessity these days instead of a luxury as it was a decade ago.
And undoubtedly, the sheer influence of the Internet contributed to gaining the momentum of this evolution. But more specifically, the PC has become a great source of online gaming.
You can choose to stream online gaming on any other device.
However, the question pops up, should you buy or build a gaming PC? Well, there is not a clear-cut answer to this. Both building and buying a gaming PC have their own pros and cons.
The final decision ultimately lies with you. Your preference, choices, and budget decide if building up or buying a gaming PC is better, building a gaming PC is cost-effective.
But the question still prevails. How do you decide between the duo? In this article, we will explain the pros and cons of both building and buying a gaming PC and clear your confusion.
Key Factors To Consider In Gaming PC
Regardless of whether you’re buying or building a gaming PC but if you are well aware of what you want to do on PC, it will help you to sort out the specifications that you prefer. In this section, we will explain to you the standard components and basic terms you may come across while assembling or buying a new PC:
1. Storage Capacity
The storage capacity refers to the number of files, media, and programs you can store on your PC. The storage capacity is often measured in Gigabytes (GB) or Terabytes (TB). The more the storage size on a PC, the more files or programs you can install. It can be easily expanded by using external storage chips or cloud storage such as HDD and SSD. With the help of the solutions offered by HDD and SSD chips, storage is not much of a concern while buying a PC.
2. Power of CPU
The CPU power is directly proportional to the power of the PC. The CPU power is usually measured in several ways but the most commonly used is clock speed which is expressed by Gigahertz (GHz). To say, the higher the GHz, the more will be the power of the CPU.
3. RAM
Random Access Memory (RAM) is that component that stores all the data that the computer is using currently. When the computer turns off, all this data is erased. You can upgrade the RAM afterward but there are some limitations as It depends on the model and compatibility of the motherboard, checking the model number of the motherboard is quite easy and user friendly.
In layman terms, the more RAM you have, the more tasks you can work on simultaneously.
4. GPU
The installation of a Graphics Processing Unit or a GPU allows your computer to process and visually represent the images created with an accelerated speed. The installation of a GPU will not only enhance gaming experiences, but will significantly boost the overall process of content creation, Machine Learning, and will unlock various other possibilities. Therefore, be sure to incorporate a GPU in your computer system.
If you have overclocked your GPU then it is one of the major factors that can cause computer stuttering. This generally happens when the overclock is unstable, so it is recommended that you must have a compatible GPU with your CPU
5. System Cooling
In order to maintain optimum efficiency of a computer system, it is imperative that people install a cooling system that tracks and moderates the ambient temperature of the computer. It provides an additional sense of security and helps you to avoid overheating issues which may damage your PC in the long run.
Building a Gaming PC: Pros And Cons
Assembling a powerful PC that helps you to work with complete efficiency is a satisfying task, to say the least. However, you have to devote several hours to research and must put in continuous work to achieve the set goal.
Assembling a powerful PC that helps you to work with complete efficiency is a satisfying task, to say the least. However, you have to devote several hours to research and must put in continuous work to achieve the set goal. This can prove to be a stressful job. Ranging from issues in setting up compatibility to fixing user errors, you have to deal with a lot of difficult tasks. You can take help from a custom PC building website like UltimatePC to build your dream PC that meets your needs as a gamer for the best gaming experience but still we are going to explain the advantages and disadvantages of building a gaming PC.
Pros of building gaming PC
- Cost-Effective In The Long Term: The initial cost of building a gaming PC might just prove to be a cheaper option as you have the option of flexibility involved. Moreover when you purchase the components individually, they are far better in quality than the ones which are used in prebuilt PCs. Gamers can independently select the parts which suit their needs the most and likewise draw out a budget that would help them to achieve this goal. Therefore, building a gaming PC is a more cost effective option where optimum performance is guaranteed.
- Fix Problem Easily: If something went wrong with the PC you built, then it is much easier to spot the problem since you’re aware of each component. And when you buy these components, they usually come with extra parts that the prebuilt PC lacks. These extra parts save your repair bills.
Cons of building gaming PC
- Higher Initial Cost: When you purchase a component, you have to incur the expenses of shipping or limited numbers that spike the price. But when you buy a prebuilt PC, you don’t have to bear any such cost as all this is already included in the billing amount.
- User Error: The user error can lead to broken pins or snapped cables that can exploit expensive components. Even experienced PC builders face user error issues. Therefore, it is recommended that you should make use of tutorials to install the components.
Buying a Gaming PC: Pros And Cons
The easiest way to get a gaming PC is to buy a prebuilt PC. No need to go through the strenuous task of research or fixing the components. They are already installed in a prebuilt gaming PC and start working already! However, before you jump onto buying a PC, you know how to choose the right gaming PC for yourself.
Pros Of Buying A Gaming PC
- Cheaper Cost::The initial cost of buying a PC is comparatively much lower than building a PC since the manufacturers purchase the components in bulk which lowers down the cost of gaming PC.
- Plugin The PC & Start To Play: The prebuilt PC is very easy to set. Unlike building a PC, you just have to plugin and turn on the prebuilt computer and get set go! You’re ready to rock the online gaming world with your skills.
Cons Of Buying A Gaming PC
- Hefty Repair Cost: In the future, if the prebuilt PC acts up and needs repair, you can’t find the source of the problem on your own since you’re not familiar with the components. And if the main issue can’t be spotted, then a repair service of the whole PC has to be run which can prove to be a costly affair.
- Configurations Are Limited: The manufacturers of prebuilt PC purchases the components in bulk and accordingly build other same machines, which signifies that the configuration of these PC is very limited.
Conclusion
After going through the pros and cons of both buying and building up a gaming PC, a clear image of whether you want to buy or build has been formed in your mind. Both the methods serve the same purpose but the ways to achieve them are different.
If you have time and resources, and want a better gaming experience with good FPS than you can build up a PC but if you don’t have time and want to plug in and play immediately, then a prebuilt PC is the best choice!
