Why You Should Build Your Own PC? – Reasons and Benefits

Have you considered building your own computer or buying an already-built system?

Building a PC is not as challenging as you might think. In fact, you’re probably capable of building your own if you can follow instructions and use a screwdriver.

Although prebuilt computers can be fine if chosen wisely (as long as you accept their limitations), the fact is that, when comparing building a PC with buying a PC side by side, building outperforms buying. Aside from being able to brag about your accomplishment to your gaming friends, and look down upon the prebuilt-PC-owning peasants with their underpowered poop machines (just playin’), there’s lots of practical benefits to building your own computer.

If you have a little bit of courage and a sprinkle of patience (I think you are good at that since you are reading this), then you can learn a skill that will help you for the rest of your gaming career (and perhaps for your work life). We’ll dive into why making your next computer and leaving that built computer on the shelf are good things to do and why DIY gaming is the way to go.

16 Reasons and Benefits

Build your own computer for many reasons. In this post, I’ll outline the top 16 Reasons and Benefits related to a self-built computer in order for you to realize how much better you’ll get when compared to purchasing a pre-built device.

Why You Should Build Your Own PC – Reasons and Benefits

1. Building a Gaming PC is Cost Efficient

You can build your own computer at a lower price than you would pay for a pre-built system from the store. It is also possible to build a computer that is specific to your wants and needs.

You can build a basic computer only for internet use for about $300. These computers are great for people who just want to check their email, surf the web, and watch videos. There’s no need to spend more if that’s all you want your computer to do.

The entry-level PC for most gamers ranges between $300 and $400. For those who want something a little more powerful than that, gamers can build a PC that can run most games at maximum settings on a 1080p monitor for around $600 or more. Gaming PC components that cost upward of $800 should be able to handle gamers with higher refresh rates and resolutions, or gamers who want to get into virtual reality gaming.

The final result, though, is that you can get the same performance by building your own computer instead of buying a pre-built model from the store.

2. It’s actually quite easy, even if you’re not tech-savvy.

You could say that building a PC is similar to designing and building your own lightsaber in order to ascend in rank as an aspiring Jedi Master. Building computers is not hard anymore and isn’t just reserved for hard-core tech enthusiasts and computer science students.

Nowadays, building PCs is a whole lot easier and something any gamer can do regardless of their skill status or knowledge level. In a decade too far away (ok, I’ll stop now), computers no longer require a tech whiz to build one. I suspect you’ve overheard the now-overused, cliche comment that building a PC is like building a Lego set as an adult. But is this an accurate comparison, or is it a bunch of bull?

A PC’s construction has become increasingly straightforward over the years, for a variety of reasons. In addition, manufacturers have continuously tried to make components easier to work with (such as modern PC cases are easy to use thanks to easy to use features), and the rise of quick and easily accessible online information and resources has also significantly contributed.

Overall, these factors mean assembling a computer is straightforward if you simply find a good guide to a completed build that you can follow, and then just proceed by taking one step at a time. However, it isn’t just the installation that’s easy, as picking the right parts for a new PC has always been a lot easier thanks to widespread knowledge sharing all over the world (and helpful websites like PCPartPicker’s compatibility checker).

3. Building your own PC makes upgrading and maintenance easier

Building your own PC will let you know exactly where the parts are located. Replacing component parts is a relatively straightforward process, although people who want to upgrade components on their store-bought machines may encounter difficulties. Due to their inexperience with building their own computers, they would be unable to upgrade them themselves, requiring them to pay more for someone to do this for them.

A custom-built gaming PC’s parts can be upgraded relatively inexpensively, and it can often be easily done by simply removing the old components and replacing them with the new ones. And, as an avid gamer, you need to make sure your system is updated every few years.

4. You’ll Have a Superior Cooling System

A disadvantage of prebuilt computers is that they often have inefficient cooling systems for gamers. The machines have components crammed into a tight space that limits the airflow of the machine. Either the fans don’t have enough power, or the cables obstruct airflow or both.

You may select a case with cable management options, as well as slots for installing fans while building your own PC. In most cases, you’ll be able to add two or three fans to a mid-range build. But if you build a high-end gaming PC, you might be able to add liquid cooling radiators as well. Your cooling system can operate at a high level when allowing for more airflow, which in turn leads to your components lasting longer, which will save you time and money in the long run.

5. Building a PC teaches you computer skills you’ll keep forever

Whether you are in the workforce or are still studying, building your own computer gives you an edge over those who cannot build their own computer. If you asked 100 people whether they knew how to build a computer, I guarantee that only some of them would raise their hand. The computer has become a ubiquitous source of information; it is used in everyday life; it’s in our homes, our cars, and even our pockets! Knowing how computers work is a vital life skill.

You can fix your computer yourself if it runs into problems. Maybe your parents, friends, children, and other relatives are experiencing computer troubles as well. In place of spending thousands on a new computer, they can call you and learn how to diagnose and fix the problem yourself. Knowing how to build and fix a computer will benefit you for the rest of your life. Saving time and money can be accomplished through these life skills, giving you an advantage over others who lack those skills.

6. Making your own PC gives you the option to purchase better quality components.

Many people believe that certain pre-built computers purchased at stores are of high quality, but their components aren’t always of the highest quality. They often use low-quality brands for components like their RAM, hard drives, optical drives, power supplies, and other components as well.

Because they are constantly in search of the lowest bid, which maximizes their profits, they go with cheaper parts. Build your machine so that you know the components that go into your system, and only incorporate the best.

In our Top Components section, you can browse through our comprehensive buyer’s guides for our components.

7. Tech Support is not needed, you ARE the support.

The technical assistance you receive is limited to what the retailer offers when you purchase a computer. Often, you’ll be on hold for hours, only to discover their tech agent can’t identify your problem or provide a solution. Having to go through this process is frustrating, and it wastes your valuable time. By building your own PC, you can avoid this process.

When the machine you built breaks or doesn’t work correctly, you can fix it all by yourself. That’s right… you’re your own technical support team.

Yes, building your own computer means more responsibility for you, and you’ll find it easier to deal with any issues that arise during your build. Despite the fact that you may learn a lot in the process of building your own computer, you may find that any problems you encounter are easily fixed with a quick Google search after they appear.

Because they already understand their computers as well as most consumers, and they already know how to find answers to their questions in a much quicker and more efficient manner, system-builders seldom have to waste time calling tech support to solve common problems.

8. By building a PC, you eliminate bloatware.

Bloatware: If you bought your computer new, then you probably already have bloatware installed on it. You haven’t installed anything harmful, and your computer is a couple of months old. Do you ever wonder why it runs so slow? Well, the answer is bloatware. While it may not cause any physical damage to your system, it does tend to take unnecessary space on your hard drive, slowing your system down.

You don’t need all of this software that the manufacturer installs on your computer. The reason they do this is that many of the add-ons include third-party applications, which gives them another revenue stream. The other type is called trialware. A common form of trialware is anti-virus and security software. If you don’t renew the subscription, you can just keep it on your computer, and you’ll never use it again.

If you build your own computer, it’s not necessary to consider these issues. Since you’re going to install the software yourself, you won’t have to include any unnecessary programs which will slow down computer performance.

9. Better warranties come with building your own PC

A warranty that comes with retail computers usually covers the entire computer for a year. While this may sound nice, it turns out to be an inconvenience in the event that something goes wrong. Your entire computer needs to be sent away if one part breaks or malfunctions, meaning you’ll be without a computer while the issue is being repaired.

Each component you buy individually for a custom build has warranty options ranging from two to five years, instead of just one. High-quality components come with warranties that last between five and seven years and some components even offer lifetime guarantees.

You can always send individual parts back if something goes wrong. But, even though it’s hard to identify where the trouble is in a computer system, knowing that you made your own computer gives legitimacy to the fact that you must possess the knowledge necessary to fix your computer.

Overall though, when buying individual components and building your own system, you get a longer warranty (and thus better coverage).

10. You learn responsibility when you build a computer

The process outlined here will help you mature faster and teach you more responsibility if you are a teenager or a child who is interested in building a computer. The parts for a PC are expensive, and if you’re paying for them with your own money, then you really must value your money. Maybe your parents are helping you with some expenses. If they do, you don’t want to throw their money away. Don’t give up on the project you began even if you stumble upon difficulties along the way.

It’s important to take good care of your computer once it’s built. Therefore, try to keep it away from liquids, dust, dirt, and anything else that may damage your computer. Failure to be mindful of your machine may have the potential to lead to a costly mistake. The computer must be properly maintained, and you’ll need to tweak or upgrade it as needed to enhance its performance. These factors will help you learn about responsibility, and that doesn’t only apply to children; there are many adults who can learn about responsibility as well.

11. Complete Control for Customization

The benefit of building your own PC is that you have total control. You can choose your components based on what you want your machine to be able to do. This also allows for easy changes to be made later. Think of your custom computer as an ever-changing and ever-growing process. Right now, you may only play a very limited amount of games and not be in the market for the highest game graphics quality… you use your computer for streaming videos and online browsing.

However, after a few years, you could be a gamer. Instead of purchasing an entirely new computer, you could just swap out a couple of parts on your old PC to improve your gaming experience. There are numerous parts on your computer that could be changed for customization, including your graphics card, memory, case, optical drive, power supply, processor, motherboard, mouse, monitor, keyboard, speakers, and so on.

12. Problem-solving skills are fine-tuned through building a PC

Problem-solving skills can be applied in many other aspects of your life. Throughout the computer-making process, you will likely encounter some bumps and obstacles. Adversity is more than just a struggle; it fosters your problem-solving skills. There is no need to get upset or freak out when it occurs, instead, it allows you to demonstrate your problem-solving abilities.

Ask experts who have dealt with this before to share their knowledge with you. Don’t be ashamed to reach out to someone for help. You can be sure that there’s an answer to your problem, no matter how confusing or frustrating it may seem. Furthermore, your research skills will be put to the test. You will discover useful information during the research process, which broadens your understanding on the topic and helps you become more knowledgeable about it.

13. Building a PC lets you choose your operating system

When you purchase a computer from a retailer, you are stuck with the operating system that is included with that machine. It doesn’t mean that a company comes out with the best operating system in the market just because it’s new. A lot of these new systems have lots of problems and bugs. Some people tend to think “if it’s not broken, don’t fix it,” meaning they don’t want to change their operating system because they are already comfortable with the one they use.

Installing whatever operating system you feel most comfortable with can be installed as long as you aren’t forced to use Windows 10. If you build your own PC, there is no such problem. We won’t compel you to upgrade without your permission, and your software can be rolled back if you’re unhappy.

14. Building a computer gives you access to an elite community.

Don’t just build your PC with blinders on. Speak to experts and other peers to get advice while you’re building it. Many people have posted their knowledge and experiences of making different machines in online groups, and this information is very useful. You can still contribute to blogs or forums even if you don’t wish to, as at least you’ll have the chance to learn so you don’t make some rookie mistakes.

It is certain that someone else has had problems with this component before and has encountered them during the building process or years down the line. Please contact someone on these message boards, comment sections, or other online forums for help. Communities like this are unique because people are all interested in the same things. Maybe one day you can contribute and give advice to a newbie builder.

15. Building a Computer is Fun

Although the building process can be a little challenging, you will enjoy every aspect of it. Sure, there could be a few hiccups, but that’s what makes things more exciting. There are many quick step-by-step guides (including ours!) to get you started with building a computer. All it takes is a little concentration and the ability to precisely follow instructions.

Your new hobbies could be building computers or cars. Some people enjoy working on model trains, too. A fulfilling way to pass the time, computer building could be your calling. It is a skill that can be used for work and leisure every day, and also a fulfilling way to pass the time.

16. Get the Exact Design and Features You Want

With a pre-made desktop, your options are limited with whatever designs are available, but with a custom build, you have the freedom to tweak everything until the end of time. Looking for a particular design, theme, or color scheme such as white and grey monsters, or maybe white and black ice killers?

It is possible to make an innovative, standout PC with a custom-built PC these days, and it is quite easy to design something unique by using a similar part list that someone else has already used to achieve their desired look.

In addition to looks, it is also practical, and you can include the type of connectors, expansion slots, drive bays, and so forth that you desire when choosing your own parts. Prebuilt has the disadvantage of being stuck with whatever you’re given, so you have to rely on adapters and add-ons if you want to add a given feature.

Do you still wonder whether to buy a PC or build one?

Objectively speaking, building a computer can be worth the extra effort and time if you’re not in a rush to set up another computer and run it in the next 12 seconds. The Jedi patience you have must be much greater than what’s required to build a PC, of course, if you’ve read this far and made it through all of the (bad) SW jokes.

Obviously, building your own computer can be a challenge if you dive in with advanced topics such as custom water cooling loops and overclocking (though overclocking is comparatively safer these days). The thing is, if you’re not a complete hardware novice you won’t know how to build a PC, or if you’re only looking for a regular gaming PC without any of the hardcore features. Sure, but we don’t want you to take our word for it – here is the worst joke uttered on the site so far by our old friend Sheev Shia Palpatine. If he doesn’t get you moving, we don’t know what will.