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I purchased a pre-built gaming laptop in 2021. Now it’s time to upgrade and catch up with the latest games. Here’s why I decided to build a gaming desktop and how this can help you choose to build your PCs. When it comes to gaming, it’s a debate on whether you should build your PC or buy a pre-built PC. A custom-built PC may last longer. If you’re stuck on what to do, you can find videos on YouTube and pick the creator(s) that provide the best info for you.
At least for me, where is why I decided to build a gaming PC and why you should, too, if you plan on upgrading.
If you don’t have much experience, don’t worry, there are videos on YouTube for you or you can go to best buy or a computer shop where someone can help you
It’s cheaper to build your PC. Sure, it may cost the same as a pre-built PC. You can buy the parts one buy one when you get money. It seems easier to save for each part than to save 1k. I am a small creator trying to get support on Ko-fi or Patreon. It could take years before I can get good solid support. It’s difficult to get support as a small creator, that’s why I think most small creators rely on ad monetization. Instead of taking years to save 1K for a gaming PC, I can save 100 for one part, then 200 for the next part, and so on. Or I can buy a part when each check comes. You can search YouTube for Gaming PC builds that accommodate various budgets. So if 1k or 2k is out of your budget, you can try 700, 800, etc. My pre-build gaming PC was 800 bucks.
I decided to go with the 600-500 budget. I want to send a message you don’t need a 2k PC to play the games you want. I want to send a message you don’t need a 2k PC to play Call Of Duty. It all depends on the games you want to play. You don’t need a beast machine if you play indie games, the Sims, etc. My gaming PC runs the Sims with all of the DLCs and mods/CC. It mainly depends on the games you want. I want to play the latest games especially since game devs are done with PS4. I’d go on the Steam page of games I want to play and compare the specs.
I always pick a recent video since we’re in a different era for gaming. A video from 2 years ago may not work for 2024 gaming. I’d say at least a year old at least in my opinion. As long as the video was made in late 2023-2024, the current era of gaming should be covered. Game devs ditched the PS4 as soon as the PS5 dropped. That is another reason I am going to Gaming PC, I struggle to get outside support (Patreon). It could be a while before I can save for a PS5, or prebuild gaming computer. Also, games that were originally for PlayStation are being exported to PC. Like the Last Of US remake, it came out for PS5 and then ported to PC. Until Dawn was remade for PS5 and PC. Nowadays, game devs are including PC because now PCs are equipped with the graphics and CPU to run the games. I still want a console. It would be easier to get the PC first and then get the console. Or if I want to play the game again, play it on a different console. When I eventually finish my gaming PC, the Last of Us Remake will be the first game I’m playing. I wanted to play it when it came out and was disappointed when it wasn’t on PS4. The 5 wasn’t out yet when I got my PS4.
When it’s time to upgrade to stay up to date with the latest games, it’s easier to upgrade the CPU/GPU or RAM, etc than buy a new computer. If a part quits you can replace it. In the end, it saves you more money at least in my opinion. 200 for a new graphics card vs 1k for a new computer. Which is better?
I decided to go for a gaming desktop because I don’t have to make sure it’s plugged in when streaming and I go afk. Desktops have better performance. I may even have better performance when I stream on Twitch. I’ve dealt with a lot of frame drops with no idea how to fix the issue. I want to be able to play any game I want. GTA V, Call Of Duty, Fortnite, The Last Of Us Remake, RE4 Remake, etc. Imagine pre-ordering a game thinking your computer can run it, only to find you it can’t.
I can let a video export overnight if I have to. Or let a video upload without worrying my laptop battery will die before the video finishes. The same with if I am streaming and go afk to take a shower and forget to plug in my laptop. The flip side is a power outage while updating windows, I can turn off auto updates and check for an update weekly.
I could have my gaming PC finished within a few months versus taking 2 years to save for a pre-built one. Everyone’s budget is different, however. I prefer to buy the parts one by one or 2 at a time depending on the cost. Overall, I want to do something nice for myself. For 2 years I struggled money-wise due to helping my grandma with the heating system. Upon agreeing to help her, my blog earnings on my cryptocurrency blogging sites were still intact and started dropping in April 2022. I want to do something for myself because I couldn’t for the past 2 years. 2 years of giving my grandma 125 bucks of my already tight funds.
I want to get myself a birthday gift. I couldn’t get myself something nice for my birthday/Christmas because of the 125 bucks for the heating system. I want to get that rant out of the way.
Also, the holidays are coming up. That means there will be sales since most people shop as early as Thanksgiving for Christmas.
The holidays are the perfect time to shop if you need upgrades for your streaming gear.
If you are new to PC building, you can look up videos online to help you. From the best parts for your PC to building, installing windows, etc.
It might be a challenge building my gaming PC, being a small creator and no one will see my posts, etc. If it were for YouTube, I’d be stuck. Yeah, just type into YouTube “gaming pc build for 600” or “how to build a gaming PC”
Overall
Easier to get the parts to build a PC than saving for a prebuilt computer
now games that were on PlayStation exclusively are being ported to PC, so either way I get to play. I may have to wait for the PC port though.
You can easily upgrade the graphics card/CPU to keep up with the latest games
You can find videos on YouTube where the creator(s) cover various budgets.
I wish I knew building a PC was an option. I could have already had a gaming PC buying the parts little by little. To make it easier for me, I will buy the parts one by one and put them together as I go along. You could try it, too. Whatever works for you.
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