I spotted a prebuilt PC from Microcenter for around $1,950, but I'm curious if I can build a similar one for about $1,500 instead. The prebuilt, a PowerSpec G756, comes with a 5070 Ti graphics card and a Ryzen 7 9800X3D processor (you can check it out [here](https://www.microcenter.com/product/697882/powerspec-g756-gaming-pc)).
Before this, I had my own build organized, which totaled about $1,691.73 after tax at Microcenter, and I might search for cheaper parts. You can see my planned build [here](https://pcpartpicker.com/list/gcVvJn).
With a price difference of $261, is it truly worth it to buy the prebuilt? I've never built a PC before, and unless I can find someone to help me do it cheaply, I might end up assembling it myself. I'm aiming for a PC that runs smoothly at 1440p with high frame rates for gaming, but I also want to use it for productivity in the future. I also need to factor in the costs of a mouse and keyboard. If anyone has suggestions on potential changes to my build or insights on the prebuilt option, I'd greatly appreciate it!
3 Answers
The prebuilt PC includes assembly and comes with Windows pre-installed, which adds value to that $2,000 price tag. I tried to match the build using known quality parts, and my total came to about $1,800 without mouse and keyboard and with a good air cooler instead of liquid cooling. You can check my setup [here](https://pcpartpicker.com/list/bxjrFZ).
If you're looking for a better option, here's a build I put together that might improve aesthetics and performance: [Check it out here](https://pcpartpicker.com/list/7sxBVF). It's got more and faster RAM, which will definitely help!
Honestly, building it yourself is usually the way to go. It's not as hard as it sounds! With some decent tutorials and manuals, you can handle it. The main perk of buying prebuilt is that it's quicker, but for the long run, building it yourself is more budget-friendly and can be tailored to your needs.
Totally! Plus, you can always customize the case to fit your style, making it look even better!