Engadget: Prebuilt PCs May Be Better Value Than Custom Builds in 2026

The article said finding an affordable GPU during the 2026 memory shortage is difficult. High RAM and storage costs make assembling a PC expensive. Market experts do not expect the RAM shortage to end soon, according to Engadget. The author, who has built PCs for more than 20 years, said he bought an RTX 5090 for $2,700 shortly after the GPU launched in 2025. At the time of writing, the same card was listed on Amazon for $11,565, while another listing was around $7,000.

Engadget compared component and prebuilt prices. The most expensive RTX 5080 on Amazon was about $2,150, but a complete RTX 5080 build with an i9-13900K CPU, 32GB of DDR5 RAM and a 1TB SSD cost $2,899. The article advised readers to add up the prices of the components they want and compare the total with a prebuilt model. Stores that sell ready-built PCs, including Costco and Sam's Club, regularly offer deals that can bring more savings, it said.

Custom builds give buyers complete control over every component. Engadget said assembling a gaming rig can be satisfying and is not extremely difficult with research and YouTube tutorials, but it takes patience and can involve troubleshooting. Problems can include a Blue Screen of Death on first boot and applying thermal paste. The article said people who are short-tempered should avoid the custom-built route. Reusing still-capable parts can reduce costs, but not everyone has parts to reuse.

Prebuilt PCs are mainly attractive for convenience. Bought from a reliable outlet, they work out of the box, come with Windows ready and are covered by one warranty, unlike custom builds. Buyers avoid mail-in rebates, waiting for a part to return to stock and checking whether all parts fit together. Manufacturers buy parts in bulk, which can save money, and OEMs have not yet fully passed rising costs on to consumers, though Engadget said that will not last forever. The main downside is less control over the parts inside, which can make a prebuilt system harder to upgrade. The article recommended buying a machine that uses standard parts that are easy to swap later.

On the question of whether a $2,000 gaming PC is worth it, Engadget called the number arbitrary. Budgets could start at $1,049 for the entry-level Valve Steam Machine or reach $7,000 for a 5090 rig. Engadget said $2,000 is a reasonably fair price for a system that should comfortably outperform a $900 PS5 Pro, though whether it is worth it depends on personal preference. It said such a PC can handle 1440p/120 fps gameplay or 4K/60 fps action when settings are lowered.

Editor's Summary

Engadget reported that AI data center demand and a memory shortage have raised PC component prices, making prebuilt gaming PCs a better value than custom builds in 2026. Prebuilt systems offer convenience and a single warranty, while custom builds offer more control but higher costs and more troubleshooting. The article said $2,000 can buy a capable gaming PC, though value depends on individual needs.