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.

Generally, a $1000 gaming PC can provide a good balance of performance and affordability, allowing you to play many modern games at high settings. However, the value ultimately depends on your budget, gaming preferences, and whether the PC meets your specific requirements.

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.