I remember before 2017 when cryptos weren't mainstream (before Bitcoin skyrocketed in value) that buying PC parts separately and then building your own PC was the smartest choice. You could save a lot of money and when you compared it to pre-built PCs you could tell businesses were ripping people off with their overpriced computers. I remember in 2016 with around 600€ I built a very decent PC that could run everything from 2014 and before in ultra, while for games released in 2015 and 2016 it would have to be high or medium but that was enough for me. I could even play many games released after (I remember playing Resident Evil 2 Remake) at 60FPS tweaking some options.
But now thanks to cryptos there's scarcity in GPUs and companies have found out they can put crazy prices because crypto miners will buy them regardless, as most crypto mining nowadays is done by rich Chinese ricecels who have entire warehouses dedicated to it so the price increases don't affect them much. I remember when gamers coped by saying that prices will return to normal when the crypto bubble bursts, but the truth is that crypto has just become another financial asset like stocks, gold, index funds and so on. We're in an era where buying a pre-built PC is cheaper than buying the parts, considering that the GPU alone can cost thousands (in 2016 the most powerful GPU costed like 700€ and it was already considered crazy and nonsensical) and the prices of other components have also increased due to inflation, supply chain issues, etc. PC building is a hobby for the rich only now.
But now thanks to cryptos there's scarcity in GPUs and companies have found out they can put crazy prices because crypto miners will buy them regardless, as most crypto mining nowadays is done by rich Chinese ricecels who have entire warehouses dedicated to it so the price increases don't affect them much. I remember when gamers coped by saying that prices will return to normal when the crypto bubble bursts, but the truth is that crypto has just become another financial asset like stocks, gold, index funds and so on. We're in an era where buying a pre-built PC is cheaper than buying the parts, considering that the GPU alone can cost thousands (in 2016 the most powerful GPU costed like 700€ and it was already considered crazy and nonsensical) and the prices of other components have also increased due to inflation, supply chain issues, etc. PC building is a hobby for the rich only now.
