Did prebuilt PCs actually kill something worth keeping from the custom build era?

[Thomas_69]

Prebuilt gaming PCs have genuinely gotten way better value and more reliable over the years, making the traditional custom build from individually selected parts feel increasingly unnecessary for a lot of casual buyers. But something about the actual learning experience of researching, selecting and assembling your own components seems to have quietly gotten pushed aside for a lot of newer builders who just buy something ready made instead. Curious whether people think something genuinely worth keeping got lost in that shift toward prebuilt convenience

The case for prebuilt usually centers on genuine convenience and warranty support without needing any technical knowledge at all. The case for custom building usually comes down to the actual learning experience and typically better value per dollar if you're willing to put in the research and assembly time yourself

What's your actual take, and did you learn anything building your own system that a prebuilt purchase wouldn't have taught you. Genuinely curious what people think got lost or gained here