Custom built computers once required years of technical skill. Today, passionate YouTubers have demystified the process, teaching millions through detailed online videos. These PC build channels have unleashed a new era of hobbyists crafting customized dream machines.
This guide looks at the origins of the space, profiles the leading experts, and deciphers trends that will shape its future. Whether a newcomer overwhelmed with options or a veteran debating unsubscribing from stale channels, we have you covered.
The Explosive Growth of PC Building Channels
To appreciate the current landscape with hundreds of active channels and thousands of hours of tutorial content, you have to rewind a mere decade.
In 2010, a handful of channels were only starting to experiment with the format. Most featured a single unedited webcam pointing down at a cluttered workbench. Production value took a backseat to practical instruction delivered through dry technical play-by-plays of assembly.
But the novelty of watching a PC come together on this new platform called YouTube was enough to gradually build an audience. Early pioneers like Carey Holzman with his relaxed fireside chats or schools like Eli The Computer Guy took a nurturing approach fearlessly explaining intimidating specs to novices.
Views and subscribers accumulated slowly but steadily for these channels, doubling yearly until an inflection point around 2015.
PC building subscribers accelerated starting around 2015. (Sample data)
This period birthed a new wave of creators like Paul and Kyle from Paul‘s Hardware and BitWit who added energy and modern editing techniques to the instructional formula. They concentrated on budget builds, making customization financially accessible to average viewers.
Channels competing for attention realized quality production amplifiedgrowth. Investments in camera gear, sets, editing rigs, and merchandise to fund it all became regular expenses.
What started as a niche hobby found mainstream appeal attracting sponsors from computer component manufacturers. Future revenue potential gave some the courage to make YouTube their full-time job.
Flash forward to 2023, many of the top channels now easily clear 7 figures in annual income. They operate less as solo creators and more as mini media companies with dedicated staff and studios rivaling cable TV productions.
But financial motivations only reveal part of what propels the space. We’ll explore the deeper human connections these channels nurture next.
Why YouTube PC Tutorials Resonate
If you only examined computer hardware sales, the numbers wouldn’t justify such an explosion. Pre-built machines still dominate. Yet hundreds of channels thrive.
Pre-built PCs significantly outsell custom builds in unit sales [Sample Data]
The explanation lies in the needs filled beyond products exchanged for dollars. Viewers crave community, empowerment, and purpose.
Belonging in theuild Community
Customization attracts those who don’t fit neatly in off-the-shelf packages. Watching hosts share their passion for optimization and complex configs builds connections beyond isolation.
Comments and Reddit groups form around channels. Advice in response videos addresses viewers directly by name strengthening bonds. Meetups at industry events become reunions of old friends.
Confidence from New Skills
Career software engineers may chuckle at the simplicity of assembly and setup. But for newcomers, comprehending compatibility across thousand components presents a formidable hill to climb.
Seeing a system post for the first time knowing you selected every part fuels self-efficacy. Troubleshooting inevitable crashes teaches resilience valuable beyond PC building.
Purpose Greater Than Gaming
While gaming provides context for many builds, the enjoyment channels bring goes deeper towards empowerment. Skills transfer across technology domains touching all industries. Troubleshooting methodology helps in everyday problem solving of life’s unexpected issues. Some find the pastime leading to new professional opportunities never previously considered.
The human connections behind the millions of views reveals the true staying power of channels making the complex feel accessible.
Channel Comparison Tables
Now that we’ve covered the history and psychology fueling the explosive rise, let’s dig into the top channels. With so many options available, we’ve simplified key data points into comparison tables.
Coverages spans channel specifics like experience levels, editing pace, and content types. Demographic data highlights audience makeup and participation rates. Production factors capture investment into the quality and polish.
We break down channels both with expansive mainstream appeal alongside niche personalities catering to underserved audiences. Use this reference when finding options best aligned with your background and learning style.
Mainstream Channels
The largest PC build channels balance entertainment and education while speaking to wide audiences. Production quality stands out with special effects, consistent editing, and elaborate sets.
Most focus on gaming systems with the occasional office PC or compact configurations. While detail varies across hundreds of videos, beginners can still extract fundamental knowledge like component selection and physical assembly from even high-end builds.
| Channel | Subs | Years Online | Skill Level | Pace | Strength |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Linus Tech Tips | 11M | 10 | Beginner – Advanced | Rapid Fire | Production Quality |
| JayzTwoCents | 4M | 7 | Intermediate – Advanced | Steady | Entertaining Personality |
| BitWit | 2.3M | 6 | Beginner – Intermediate | Rapid Fire | Animated Explanations |
| Paul‘s Hardware | 1.4M | 11 | Beginner – Intermediate | Slow & Steady | Methodical & Thorough |
Mainstream channels convert complex topics into easily digestible content through strong production and hosting skills. Finding the right balance across education, entertainment and skill levels keeps viewers engaged across a spectrum of needs.
Specialist Channels
Beyond general builds lie a vast landscape of specialty content from budget guides to overclocking lessons. These creators zoom in on targeted niches.
Setting expectations proves critical with specialists – their deeper dives may overwhelm complete newcomers. But for intermediate builders looking to level up specific skills, hobbyist channels deliver immense value condensing years of experience.
| Channel | Subs | Years Online | Skill Level | Strength |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Craft Computing | 390K | 9 | Intermediate – Advanced | In Depth Troubleshooting |
| ScatterVolt | 123K | 3 | Beginner – Intermediate | Budget Component Selection |
| Actually Hardcore Overclocking | 88K | 7 | Advanced | Extreme Cooling & Benchmarks |
Specialist creators occupy vital niches advancing techniques like cooling and benchmarks for experienced builders. Their advanced content overwhelms some yet provides immense value to committed subscribers looking to master specific domains.
Advice For Newcomers
Between the mainstream entertainment focused channels and hardcore specialists lies a chasm for the true first timer. The flash and complex terminology assumes foundational knowledge not yet acquired. Where should genuine beginners actually start?
We surveyed forum members and Reddit groups catering to those building their very first PC. The most common recommendations focused less on build tutorials but instead centered on complementary lessons explaining individual components.
| Series | Channel | Strength |
|---|---|---|
| Understanding Computer Hardware | Eli The Computer Guy | Broad introduction without assuming prior knowledge |
| Upgrading & Fixing PCs | Carey Holzman | Calm troubleshooting walks users through failures outside builds |
| The basics of computer networking | PowerCert Animated Videos | Crucial networking layer rarely covered in consumer PC channels |
Before diving headfirst into a complex custom water cooled build with exotic cooling, first reinforce fundamentals. Lessons focused explicitly on foundation concepts reduces confusion when terminology flies fast and furious in more advanced content.
Predicting the Future of PC Building Channels
As creators mature and new generations inspired by their childhood heroes take up streaming webcams and editing software, what trends will shape the space next?
VR Exploration – Growth in virtual reality hardware opens opportunities for channels to showcase visually stunning footage examining parts and system setups. Some channels already attach cameras to wires snaking through cases or leverage macro lenses for unboxing. Expect more experimentation as VR viewer counts rise.
Tech Infrastructure – Many channels only skim the surface on complementary components like networking gear and storage arrays as they chase the next hot GPU or CPU launch. Elevated coverage explaining how devices interconnect expands value beyond individual PC assembly.
Career Development – Passionate builders invest countless hours perfecting expertise across hardware domains. Some channels already replicate informal computer repair apprenticeships aiding skill development. More formal recognition of acquired skills through certifications helps talent flow into tech industries.
After over a decade of exponential growth, PC channels continue pushing boundaries expanding information accessibility. While trends will shape content styles and focus areas, the ultimate mission remains – empowering audiences with technical skills far beyond gaming frames per second.
The communities formed through comments, events and discord channels builds connections that teaches lessons transcending any single computer. And the confidence that comes from comprehending the complexity of code running across silicon enables creators and consumers alike toManifest new realities once unimagined.
