[asdff]

Is there data for that? Anecdotally, I was thinking about buying a gaming PC recently. Every single thread you find on reddit about PC gaming starts with 'don't buy pre built.' It is engrained in the gaming community at this point that pre-built wastes money to the tune of hundreds of dollars, and PCs aren't all that difficult to put together.

As it stands $500-700 gets you 1080p gaming thats better looking than current gen consoles; this is the entry level and its already several notches above APU.

[ChrisSD]

But if you're reading reddit threads on this I think you're several levels removed from the average person who plays games. Sure "gamers" will read up on this and be part of the gaming community but PC games are now mass entertainment and not the niche it used to be.

Few people build their own PC. Many more play games.

[arvinsim]

For me, the "don't buy pre built" mantra essentially means "research on what you want and buy accordingly".

I have heard that there are some prebuilts that are worth it. But you won't be able to know which ones are good until you had experience building your own.