Why You Should Build Your Own Gaming Computer

January 5th 2008  
File under: Build PC

Sometimes, it is more worthwhile to build your own gaming computer.

There are several advantages:

Firstly, building your own computer allows you to have more flexibility and control. By buying a fully assembled PC off the shelf, you are changing your needs to suit the PC, whereas when you build your own computer, you are customizing the computer to suit your needs. Which one do you prefer?

Secondly, it is much cheaper to build your own computer. There is no mark up, no labour cost, no service charge, no delivery fee etc. Check out the comparison table below:

Parts Specification Commercial Gaming System* Tiger Direct**
CPU 3GHz Dual Core Processor 3GHz Dual Core Processor $229.99
Motherboard Not stated Asus P5WD2-P Intel 955 Motherboard $209.99
RAM 2GB Dual Channel DDR2 SDRAM at 667MHz 2GB Dual Channel DDR2 SDRAM at 667MHz $174.99
Hard Drive 320GB Hard Drive Maxtor 500GB Hard Drive $319.99
Graphics Card 512MB nVidia GeForce 7900 GTX XFX 512MB nVidia GeForce 7900 GTX $429.99
Monitor 20 inch Widescreen Digital Flat Panel Viewsonic 20.1 inch LCD Monitor $289.99
ROM Drive 16X CD/DVD burner (DVD+/-RW) w/double layer write capability 16X CD/DVD burner (DVD+/-RW) w/double layer write capability $29.99
Software Genuine Windows XP Media Center 2005 Edition with re-installation CD

McAfee SecurityCenter with VirusScan, Firewall, Spyware Removal, 15-months

 Genuine Windows XP Media Center 2005 Edition with re-installation CD

McAfee Internet Security Suite v8 Wirelesss Home Network Ed

 $139.99
Keyboard Not stated Logitech G15 Gaming Keyboard $63.99
Mouse Not stated Logitech G7 Laser Gaming Mouse $64.99
Case & Power Supply Not stated Ultra X2 Connect 550-Watt Casing $119.99
Total: $3194 $2213.88

* Parts specification and price taken from a commercial retailer website
** All price quoted are from TigerDirect.com

For the comparison table above, I have chosen parts that are either similar or better than the commercial gaming system, and the total cost is only about two thirds of that.

Convinced that it is worthwhile building your own gaming computer?