Most PC gamers will have no problem telling you that choosing a pre-built gaming PC package has its advantages. They are as close to plug and play gaming systems as you can get with a PC and can be very cost effective, but if you are used to gaming on a laptop or games console you may find that the number of peripheral goods that go with your gaming PC can add up and complicate the process.
Not only do you need a tower to play games on your PC, you also need a mouse, keyboard and monitor among other items. Many computer companies offer complete bundles which have everything you need to get started, as they are designed to save you time, money and effort when all you want to do is get your head in the game and start enjoying yourself.
Many bundles are configured to the unique needs of different players, and will include a choice of CPU and motherboard combinations, as well as case options, headsets and more to enhance your gaming experience right out of the box.
The advantages of choosing a gaming PC package
One of the biggest advantages that packages and bundles have is that they tend to offer a large discount when compared to the cost of buying all the individual components separately. This is because retailers prefer to make a large guaranteed sale than making their money by selling components individually. Processors and graphics cards are some of the most costly PC components you can buy, and most retailers will offer a package deal for PC gamers looking to buy both at the same time which can save them a lot of money.
It is always worth checking the separate prices of any components you are looking to buy as this gives you a good indication of whether a bundle really is cheaper than buying things individually. Furthermore, many retailers will be happy to offer a discounted price for buyers who are picking up a good amount of kit in one go, so it can be well worth asking if they are willing to offer you a discount on bundled items.
Buying a bundle with everything you need for PC gaming means you can spend a lot less time researching your options. This is one of the major benefits to choosing a cheap gaming PC bundle over a set up that you have had to spend a lot of time researching to make sure every item and component is perfect for your needs. While this approach might not give you the perfect machine it does save you a lot of time and stress which can make PC gaming much more accessible for new players and people making the switch to PC gaming from console gaming.
As bundles are put together by people who understand the requirements of PC gamers, you can be confident that everything will be compatible and will work well as a package. This is important as it is often a step that can trip up new PC gamers - it is quite common for them to choose something that is not appropriate for their set up without realising it.
Disadvantages of choosing PC gaming packages
While a bundle might be cheaper than if you were to buy all the components separately, it does not necessarily mean you will be getting the most bang for your buck as there is a good chance you will end up spending money on components you either don’t want or don’t need. For example, many gaming bundles come complete with headsets or speaker systems - this is fine if you plan to use them, but if you don’t plan to use them or already have a headset or sound system from your previous set up then it can be a waste of money to buy a package which includes them.
Another thing that reduces the appeal of gaming bundles is that many PC gamers love the fact that their rig is completely unique to them. Unfortunately when you choose a bundle you will often also lose quite a bit of the personalisation that can be found when creating your own gaming system.
Resources:
Gaming PCs - Wikiful
PC Gaming Bundle - Unicorn Platform
Gaming PC UK - Bloggi
Graphics Cards - Jemi