My dad used an outdated Dell for work and baseball scheduling, so the only PC I ever had access to growing up was that one. Considering how little The Sims 2 would run on it, my parents—who were avid athletes—couldn’t fathom how anyone could spend thousands of dollars on a computer. I only had the opportunity to test a powerful, glowing gaming PC for a few months at most when I first began my career in games journalism. I’m resolved to become a PC gamer because the genre is expanding more quickly than console gaming (albeit my small hands will probably still require a controller). It’s been a difficult journey.
Game PCs come in two primary varieties: prebuilds and bespoke builds. Preassembled PC towers that are ready to use right out of the box are precisely what they sound like. In contrast, custom builds necessitate that you locate and put together all of the essential internal parts, such as the CPUs, cooling systems, and graphics card. Although more customization and fine-tuning are possible with bespoke builds, they also call for a level of technical skill that might be scary.
During my time at GamesRadar, I had a loaner PC from iBUYPOWER that served me well. It was a prebuild that I used to play Warzone and Overwatch, and occasionally stream on Twitch. The setup was straightforward—remove some cushioning, plug in the tower, and I was ready to go. But it’s been nearly two years since I had a gaming PC, and my attempts to get back into PC gaming have been frustrating as hell.
A few months ago, iBUYPOWER sent me a prebuilt PC to test and review. It required me to install the graphics card (a GeForce RTX 4070) myself. I followed the instructions meticulously, lying on the floor of my apartment, unscrewing brackets, and trying to keep my cat away from all the tiny screws and delicate parts. After watching several YouTube tutorials, I nervously placed the graphics card into the tower, heard the click as it slotted into the PCie port, connected the internal power cables, closed everything up, and plugged in all the peripherals.
When I turned it on, my monitor said there was no signal. I tried other cables and reinstalled the GPU, but nothing worked. I even tested the monitor with my Xbox Series S, and it displayed fine. To their credit, iBUYPOWER’s rep was kind and responsive, helping me get the old PC shipped back and send a new one out. However, it took a few months to sort everything out, and the space I had cleared for the gaming PC accumulated dust.
When the second PC had the same issue, I put out a call for help on social media. Dozens of learned PC gamers came to my aid, and one person walked me through every step of reinstalling the card. Despite my best efforts, it still didn’t work. The person helping me suggested unplugging the Hyte riser cable and slotting the GPU into a different PCie port, but the graphics card couldn’t fit in any other slot due to the low-profile layout of the case. Dejected and covered in sweat, I boxed the PC up and prepared to send it back again.
A generous internet friend who lives nearby saw my tweets and offered to let me borrow their old tower, informing me that I’d need to download Windows onto it. Realizing the new problem I had created for myself—downloading Windows onto a wiped PC required a USB drive, and the only functioning computer I had was a MacBook Air with no USB ports—I felt defeated. However, I had a eureka moment: I could use the iBUYPOWER’s motherboard display port to download Windows onto the flash drive. After several questions to my PC builder friend and a few hours of work, I had Windows running on my friend’s PC.
Then, in a turn of almost mind-numbing hilarity, NZXT sent me a prebuilt PC with the graphics card already installed (I had told them of my installation woes). The Player: Three Prime, which costs $3,700 and looks like a gorgeous, techno fish bowl when turned on, booted up with no issue whatsoever. It took me less than 20 minutes to set everything up, and after months of struggle, I collapsed onto my bed, laughing maniacally. I think it’s prebuilds or nothing for me from now on.
Reflecting on this journey, the challenges of transitioning from console to PC gaming were more than just technical. It was a test of patience, resilience, and adaptability. Custom builds might offer the ultimate gaming experience tailored to personal preferences, but they come with a steep learning curve. The sense of accomplishment from successfully assembling a custom PC is unparalleled, but so are the frustrations when things go wrong. Every misstep, every error message, and every piece of conflicting advice on forums can chip away at your confidence.
The allure of custom builds lies in the promise of superior performance, the satisfaction of creating something uniquely yours, and the community of builders who share tips, tricks, and support. However, this journey also highlighted the practical appeal of prebuilt systems. For many, the convenience and reliability of a prebuilt PC outweigh the potential benefits of a custom rig. Prebuilds offer a gateway into the world of PC gaming without the intimidation of technical hurdles.
Moreover, my experience underscored the importance of community and support in the gaming world. The willingness of strangers to offer advice, share knowledge, and even lend hardware reflects a shared passion that transcends individual frustrations. This camaraderie is one of the most rewarding aspects of the gaming community. It turns solitary challenges into collective experiences, where every victory and defeat is shared.
Ultimately, switching from console to PC gaming involved more than simply technical upgrades—it involved personal development as well. It helped me learn how to use new technology, ask for assistance when I needed it, and recognize the variety of routes available in the game industry. The most important thing is to enjoy the process and accept the learning curve, regardless of whether you go with a prebuilt system or plunge into the complexity of a bespoke build. After all, gaming is primarily about having fun and exploring new things.
If you like the article please follow on THE UBJ.