After building my own gaming PC five years ago, I notice that high-end GPUs like the RTX 4090 now cost more than my entire rig did back then. I've started to wonder if the value proposition of custom hardware is shrinking for everyday users, especially when pre-built systems are getting cheaper and more compact. Is it still worth the time and effort to assemble your own PC in 2024, or have the benefits been overshadowed by inflated prices and limited availability?