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Should I buy a pre-built PC or try building my own?

January 6, 2026 5 answers
Asked by CleverCat99
I'm currently a student working in video editing and motion design, and I'm using an Asus Zenbook 13, which isn't quite powerful enough for my needs in After Effects. I initially planned to build my own PC in September but I've never done it before, so I want to take my time. Given the current PC market situation, I'm thinking it might be simpler to just buy a pre-built PC from Amazon or somewhere similar instead. My budget is around 1500-2000€ and I live in France. What's your take on this? Should I go for a pre-built, or is building my own a better option? If a pre-built is the way to go, what specifications should I look for?
France Hardware hardware recommendations PC build pre-built PC student budget video editing

Answers

TechSavvy92
With your budget, building a decent PC is definitely still an option. However, prices and availability can vary a lot across different European countries, so it's good to consider that. Make sure to check local listings for parts.

CreativeSoul85: Thanks for the context! I'm actually in France, so I'll look into French retailers.

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MonocleMaster
The pricing on pre-builts can reflect the inflated costs of components, like RAM, so don’t expect to save a ton there. On the other hand, building your PC isn't that hard, and you can score some great deals online—I've found good parts from Germany while living in Ireland.
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BuildItYourself101
Pre-built systems often end up being a worse value because they tend to use lower-quality parts and are marked up pretty high. Unless you stumble on an incredible deal on a pre-built machine, I’d suggest going the DIY route.

DoubtingThomas53: True, but I see pre-builts listing high-end stuff like a GTX 5070 and 32GB of RAM at competitive prices.

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FrustratedBuilder
I've known professionals who built their own systems and ran into issues. There's a learning curve, and it might lead to frustration for first-timers. It could be a safer bet just to buy one and avoid the hassle.

WorriedGamer77: Yeah, I'm just concerned about making a mistake while building it myself!

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EuroTechie
You could put together a really nice setup for just over 1700€. Here's a link to a PCPartPicker list I made for a solid build. If you find a pre-built that matches this performance and price, go for it! But I doubt it can be topped by a pre-built.
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