PC Gaming Platform

Written By Charisma Nguyen

The Beginner’s Blueprint: Choosing Your First Gaming PC

By Charisma Nguyen

Jan 29, 2026

The benefits of having a gaming PC are unbeatable compared to consoles; PS4, XBox, etc… Not only do you have the obvious performance and graphics, but the freedom to play games with different controller inputs, modifications and support from the local gaming community. The overwhelming part of having a PC is: do I build one or buy a prebuilt? 

In this guide, we’ll break down the two main paths: buying a prebuilt gaming PC or building your own. We’ll explore the pros, cons, and costs of each to help you make the right choice for your budget and gaming goals.

Pre-built Options

One of the benefits of buying pre-built PCs is the convenience. Once the package arrives, you would simply connect the power and press the power button. This frees up time from placing the parts together and figuring out what goes where. On the flip side, pre-built may be a bit more expensive than building your own. You also have to trust that the vendor is properly seating the components correctly to avoid any issues. When shopping around: check the reviews, see the parts that are used, and find if there is extended support/warranty in the case an issue occurs. (As a tip: pre-built vendors usually have seasonal sales!)

Here is a pre-built option that is budget-friendly ($659.00): MXZ Gaming PC Computer (R5 3500X| RX580) Item#: 9SIAZBDKCZ6947

  • Components

  • 8G DDR4-3200

  • 500G NVME SSD

  • Ryzen 5 3500X 6-core 6-thread 3.6-4.2GHz

  • PSU: 80+ Bronze Certified

  • RX 580 Graphics Card

Here is another pre-built option that is under $1000: Cyberpower Prebuilt Gaming PC GM 99636

  • Components

  • 1TB PCIe NVMe M.2 SSD

  • AMD Ryzen™ 7 5700 3.7GHz

  • 16GB DDR4-3600MHZ

  • AMD Radeon™ RX 6700 10GB GDDR6 Video Card

  • 600 Watts 80 Plus Gold Power Supply

  • Peripherals included (Mouse, Keyboard)

Build Your Own

Finding a handful of components to get the best out of your PC can be daunting, yet rewarding. One of the benefits of building a PC is being able to see and choose all aspects of what is needed. In the case something goes wrong, you already know the autonomy of the PC to easily buy and replace the component. The only downside of building a PC is really research and the building itself. But there is plenty of information on the internet that is free to use as a guide. Once you finish, you will feel the self empowerment of completing this project all on your own. 

The benefit of the PC realm of gaming is the community that’s built. One of the best ways to get inspiration is to look into www.pcpartpicker.com. This website allows you to create your own build and displays the total price and compatibility. 

Here is an example of a creative and aesthetically pleasing PC built by celestefleurs.

Here is an example of a budget build, created by SpiralCaseMods

The customization and originality are endless. Another rewarding part of building your PC is that you can always improve and enhance your components overtime. 

Conclusion

Whether you prefer the convenience or the journey, you have many different pathways to choose. Make sure to do your research and find what fits your budget. Remember, the end goal is to choose what is best suited for gaming!

Charisma Nguyen