It is definitely cheaper to build your own, just like it's cheaper to work on your own vehicle or do your own repairs. If you live near a Microcenter you can buy the parts and then pay them to put it together for a small fee.

You can build a basic PC for about $150 if you're happy with used parts and are just looking to use it for browsing the internet and streaming TV, but for a Gaming PC using all new parts you need to budget at least $600 for a basic Gaming PC, $1000 for a mid-range Gaming Rig, and $1500+ for something high-end.

It's possible to build a gaming PC for $1000 that offers excellent performance for most games. However, the specific components you choose and the prices you find can impact the final result. It's essential to do some research, compare prices, and plan your build carefully to get the most value out of your budget.

Yes, you can build good pc for under $500. Though there will be a few small sacrifices. Biggest sacrifice would be not getting a windows license. You can still use windows 10 without a license if you can live without ability to customize and Microsoft reminding you purchase license everyday.