Gaming PC Prebuilt vs Console vs Build Your Own

With video game revenue surpassing the global movie and North American sports industries combined in 2020, it’s no wonder more and more people are looking at either buying a video game console or getting into desktop gaming [1]. While playing games on computers has been a thing for a long time, more people are recognizing the benefits it offers than ever before. There are advantages and disadvantages for both PC and console. Likewise, there are different ways to get into playing games on a desktop. In this article, you will learn about some of the clear-cut advantages of each to help you make a better and more informed purchasing decision when you are considering buying a gaming PC prebuilt, console, or building your own.

Why Consoles?

Consoles have been incredibly popular for a variety of reasons. For one, they make it increasingly accessible to get into playing games for many. After all, they sell ready-to-use systems that are plug-n-play. Because of this, you can purchase a console, bring it home, and get started with it with minimal hassle. Along with being plug-n-play, they are also very easy to use and maintain. They are dedicated to the sole task of playing games. Therefore, you don’t have the same maintenance requirements that would normally come with a desktop.

Why PC’s?

Playing games on a computer has been around for a long time. One of the reasons for its popularity stemmed from the ‘video game crash of 1983 [2].’ A lot of people who choose to use their computers to play games do so for many reasons. For one, it doesn’t require you to make an additional purchase. Most people already have one and the majority of people need one for daily life. As a result, it is even more accessible than a console which requires an additional purchase. Also, it comes with the ability to scale your experience to get the experience that you are after. If you want the highest graphical fidelity, you will want to game on a rig with dedicated components to help you play games at their highest settings.

Advantages Of Console:

1. Accessibility and Compatibility

While it doesn’t take much in today’s digital landscape to get started with playing games on your rig, you can’t say it’s more accessible than playing on a console. After all, a console makes it incredibly simple to begin playing games. You either buy the physical discs and insert them or download them digitally and start playing. For anyone who is looking for the easiest possible end-user experience, a console is likely the preferred option. You won’t have the same error messages or troubleshooting that would normally be required to get some games to work on a desktop.

2. Smaller Boxes

While you can find rigs that offer the same compact nature as consoles, the majority of consoles are streamlined in their design to offer compact yet powerful performance. A lot of people enjoy the console experience because they can fit their boxes right underneath their entertainment center, behind their televisions, or elsewhere in the living room. This results in having an easy and streamlined couch setup. Not everyone wants to game at their desk or invest in a smaller rig that they will have to move around. If you were to seek out the same measurements for a desktop, you would end up having to pay more for the “Small Form Factor” or a laptop.

3. Exclusives

While exclusives are becoming less frequent with more traditional console exclusives crossing barriers, this benefit cannot be ignored. Sony is a brand in particular that still has a lot of excellent exclusives that you can only play on PlayStation. The same holds with Nintendo.

Advantages Of a PC

1. Better Performance

Even some of the most affordable pre-built or custom-built computer will outperform a console. A console is capped in performance for the entire generation. While developers do have a baseline in which they can optimize performance, they won’t be able to take advantage of something that isn’t available through the hardware. You can find one with top-of-the-line specifications. Meaning, you will be able to get better performance from a desktop. Along with having better components, you can do things to customize the performance you are getting to ensure you are getting the most out of your components. This includes doing things like overclocking your CPU, RAM, and GPU.

2. Upgradeability

We saw the disadvantages of buying a console during the PS4 and Xbox One generation. The brand’s pushed out consoles that were not fully baked. This caused them to have to bring out a mid-generation refresh so developers would be able to avoid compromising on the games they created. This meant gamers were forced to either live with poor performance from their experience or spend another several hundred dollars to get the refreshed unit. With a computer, you can open the case and swap out hardware and components at will as long as they are compatible.

Reasons For Buying a Gaming PC Prebuilt

1. Console Level Accessibility

With a pre-built, you are paying for convenience. A pre-built computer will deliver the same high level of accessibility that you would expect from a console. By getting a system that has been pre-built by Skytech, you will be able to plug your desktop in and have everything necessary to get started with playing games.

2. Seamless Performance

When you are buying a pre-built, you are buying a computer that has been thoughtfully curated by professionals. Therefore, you know the parts are fully compatible and that they will deliver optimal performance.

Reasons To Build Your Own

1. Choose Your Parts

Getting to choose your components can help you get exactly the kind of performance you want out of your computer. It can also ensure that you are putting the majority of your budget towards the components that will deliver the best value for your money. For instance, if you are going to be primarily playing games on it, you don’t necessarily need the top-of-the-line processor with 12 cores. Because the majority of the games being produced only utilize fewer than 6 cores, you can save a lot of money by purchasing a more affordable CPU. That way, you can allocate more of your budget to your GPU where you will see the biggest jump in your performance.

2. It’s Easier Than Ever Before

There is so much information readily available that has made building out your own much easier than ever before. You shouldn’t have too much difficulty finding parts that are compatible and choosing the right parts for your build. This is even more so true when you use the Custom Builder on Skytech’s website.

3. More Choices

Building out a custom desktop is one of the best ways to ensure you have something that delivers you more choices. Having more choices is worth it when it comes to getting a desktop because you can pick and choose exactly what parts and components you want. Some people may have their brand preferences and more. This can be especially helpful if you are someone going for a certain aesthetic with your build.

As you can see, the computer market has caught up with the console market when it comes to delivering a machine that is highly accessible. By either buying a pre-built or using a custom builder interface like the one provided by Skytech, you will be able to get a machine that offers you superior performance without the traditional hassle that comes with physically putting together your PC.