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Make your own custom gaming PC or laptop

The two main custom gaming PC options are "build your own" - where you buy and assemble the parts yourself - and "build your own," where you choose components to add or remove to a base model before it's built and shipped. In either case, competitive gamers love custom gaming PCs: they get the system they need, with the specs they need to play the games they love.

The easiest method is to "build your own," which is also known as "customize and buy" or "make to order." Almost immediately after unboxing your new gaming PC or laptop, you can start using it. The build-your-own-from-parts method has advantages, too, but it requires a lot of knowledge.

Custom-built gaming rigs from Lenovo

Most experts believe that buying a custom gaming rig from a major manufacturer will get you up and running faster, with greater reliability, and possibly at a lower cost. There's no better compromise. You take a known quantity and transform it into something you make your own - a famous laptop brand, for example, or a popular tower PC series.

Just think of the possibilities within the Lenovo PC ecosystem alone:

Custom LEGION gaming PCs

The Lenovo Legion gaming laptops and Legion gaming desktops are already top-of-the-line products. What if you fitted yours with a faster CPU or a graphics card with more RAM?

Custom ThinkPad gaming laptops

Why not mix business with pleasure? You'll be ready to win at work or in an eSports arena with game-quality components in a ThinkPad laptop.

Custom Yoga gaming 2-in-1s

For convenience and easy mobility, nothing beats a Yoga 2-in-1 laptop/tablet combo. You can use this super-flexible gaming rig anywhere you use a 4K display and an upgraded processor.

Any way you look at it, buying a customized gaming system is much easier than assembling one on your own, where you have to find parts, confirm they're compatible, then put everything together - and hope it all works. A built-to-order gaming rig from a global manufacturer such as Lenovo comes with warranty protection and technical support just like a pre-built computer. You try to do that with a screwdriver on a PC you built yourself!

Benefits of custom gaming PCs and custom gaming laptops

A lot depends on your system components when it comes to competitive gaming. Sharp eyes and quick reflexes will only get you so far. If your system cannot support the game's frame rate, if you lack CPU cache or RAM, or if your keyboard doesn't respond quickly enough, you'll be out of the game almost immediately.

A level playing field is necessary for fair gaming, technically speaking. Today's gamers are attracted to custom gaming desktops and laptops for this very reason. What is better, assembling your own computer from parts or buying a custom-built gaming rig from Lenovo? Each method has its own advantages.

Advantages of a buying a custom-built gaming PC

Whether it's Lenovo or some other company, buying a customized gaming system from a major manufacturer offers many benefits. The following are some of the most frequently cited benefits of configuring your own gaming laptop or desktop:

It's faster and easier for most gamers than assembling a system themselves.

A variety of options is available - and parts compatibility is assured.

Manufacturer's warranty coverage, technical support, etc. are included.A custom-built gaming PC has two additional advantages: delivery speed and price. Ordering individual PC components can take weeks, but you can get a complete, custom-built gaming PC in about the same time. If you add up the price of each part you order, the cost of returning parts that don't fit, as well as the time it will take you to assemble everything, the true cost of a build-your-own system may rival what you would pay to build it yourself.

Advantages of building a custom gaming PC from parts

Building a gaming system from separately purchased components (such as RAM memory modules from Lenovo) can provide several benefits if you are handy with tools. Among them are the following:

Your system, components, and operating system are exactly what you want - no compromises.

You won't find pre-installed software on commercial PCs.

It's easy to upgrade your frame and other components if you choose the right ones.

Generally speaking, it is far easier to build your own gaming desktop or gaming tower than it is to build your own laptop. A variety of desktop/tower frames and cases can be found, and they typically have plenty of interior space to fit a variety of components. Unlike so-called barebones laptops - which consist of little more than a frame, a display, and a motherboard - it is sometimes hard to find compatible components (SSDs, RAM modules, fans, etc.) to fit within them.

Configure your own custom gaming laptop or custom gaming desktop/tower

PC manufacturers typically list their prices based on the least expensive configuration available, so customizing or "building your own" system typically has an additional cost. Sometimes, however. If you own a system without the normal operating system, you can install your own. Sometimes, you can swap a smaller storage drive for a bigger one.

Experts recommend starting with the cheapest product line or series that has the features you want - a big display, lightweight construction, or special cooling features, for example. To find the base model you prefer, look for the customizable models (at Lenovo, they are identified by colorful "Build Your Own" banners). To configure your new system, click "Customize & Buy" - or something similar.

You will add, remove, or change components until you have the exact specs you need to play your favorite games. For instance...

If your games do not require one of today's fastest CPUs, you can upgrade to a better processor (Intel Core i7, AMD Ryzen, etc.).

A high-end graphics card from AMD or NVIDIA with a lot of video RAM will boost your game's visuals and frame rates.

Boost system performance by adding more RAM (games at the top of their game require at least 16 GB), or use empty RAM slots so you can add more later.

When buying a laptop, consider one with a 4K display for greater luminance and color depth, or one with HDR technology for gaming environments.So you can keep more games in local storage, you can add disk space -- either a fast SSD or a less expensive HDD.In general, you cannot replace every component inside a PC, but you can usually change the CPU, GPU (unless graphics are integrated), storage drive(s), RAM, and operating system (if applicable). Optional battery, security, and wireless options are available, and a few offer cameras, keyboards, and the like.Lenovo provides helpful explanations of components and often lists "recommended" components based on different types of users and needs. The displayed system cost updates as you make selections so you can judge the financial impact of each option.In addition, customizing your gaming PC doesn't have to stop at its internal components. You can download pre-installed software from most manufacturers, including Lenovo, such as Microsoft Office or security suites from Norton or McAfee (sometimes at a discount). Furthermore, you can add compatible accessories, such as game controllers, headsets, custom keyboards, speakers, and high-resolution external displays. You may also be able to extend your warranty beyond the standard one-year coverage, or purchase optional support packages such as Accidental Damage Protection or Legion Ultimate Support.