We all know you can go along to your high street (or out of town) computer store, pick a package off the shelf and be home in 10 minutes. Sure, it will do the basics well, you should be able to access the internet and run straighforward programmes. But will it fulfill everything you need it to? Well here's just a few reasons why a custom built PC may be more appropriate.

Whether you purchase a custom PC,or build your own, you have the opportunity to have something unique. You also have the chance to have a computer that, despite being tailored to your specifications, should actually cost you less in the long run than the ones you get from the big national stores. This is because you have the ability to upgrade various parts over time, whilst keeping the same core PC. There are an endless amount of people who would be better suited by a custom computer. Here's just a few:

The reason why a lot of people purchase a custom built PC is for gaming. The high specification required to run most new games (and some older ones) is often beyond your standard PC. Particular graphics cards and RAM is needed to play them. A custom computer will be built specifically with this in mind.

Gamers love speed. They seek out motherboards with fast system buses and forward compatibility (upgrading the CPU and RAM as newer, faster models become available). They stuff that motherboard with the fastest processor they can find and all the memory they can squeeze into it. After that, a powerful video card with its own graphics processor is crucial to make full use of the game's realistic visual effects. Those are the essentials, but nice speakers and two big monitors never hurt.

Fancy the idea of becoming the hottest new DJ or music producer? The possibilities are almost endless for what you can achieve on your own computer, but only if it is built to be capable of doing what you need it to. Obviously sound is a priority, with a top of the range sound card and fancy speakers, but you will also need a high specification processor, particluarly if you are mixing different tracks.

The advancement of the internet has meant that a lot of people who previously would have had to work from an office or studio can now work from home. A prime example of this are people who edit video for a living. This can range from large scale movie editing to wedding DVDs. This has meant a raft of software specifically designed for video editing, and as per the gaming machines it is vital that your PC can not just run the software, but run it well.

The more powerful the better is the guideline for video editing. Faster and more efficient computers render fancy effects and titles faster. For High Definition editing, then it is generally better to go for the most powerful processor available. For video editors, it's vital to ensure that a system has the capability to be upgraded, particularly if you are doing high-resolution work or 3D graphics production.

Just three reasons why a custom built computer is superior, even necessary for some. Something to think about if you're planning a new purchase.