Building your own gaming PC can be rewarding, but the current RAM prices might deter many. In a recent attempt to construct a high-end AMD gaming PC for Cyber Monday, I compared the costs of parts against prebuilt options and discovered that RAM prices are through the roof, making prebuilt systems more appealing.

I initially aimed high, opting for components like the RX 9070 GPU and Ryzen 7 7800X3D CPU. Unfortunately, as I reached the memory and SSD stages, the prices began to escalate unexpectedly. RAM, which is critical for performance, has jumped from a few hundred dollars for a decent kit to nearly $400 or more for a 32 GB setup.

The search for affordable SSDs yielded better results, with some decent options still available, but the rapidly inflating prices of RAM have left many would-be builders reconsidering their plans. In fact, while I settled on a DDR5-6000 kit rated to CL36 for $300, this was still significantly over budget.

The disparity between building from scratch and purchasing a prebuilt rig has never been more pronounced. A prebuilt system with similar components can cost around $1,650, which might just save you hassle and headache. Thus, for many, the prebuilt gaming PCs are the logical choice, especially during sales events like Cyber Monday.

To summarize the painful conclusion of this endeavor, the boons of DIY builds are overshadowed by the current chip shortages that have rendered essential components extremely pricey. As I venture forth, I’ll keep an eye on the dynamic market—hoping to build my ideal PC in the future.