How Much Does a Gaming PC Cost? Comprehensive Guide

While the gaming generations have evolved over the years, from Atari to Playstation, still most game consoles can’t be compared to the ever-evolving gaming PCs. In comparison to a TV-bound system, a gaming console is known to soar higher. But how much does a gaming PC cost?

Many PC gamers are confused when it comes to the performance ratio, which dictates how their gaming rig will run and how they will play games. Ideally, the best gaming PCs will cost anywhere between $800 to $2000 or sometimes more, depending on the aesthetic and functionality.

Is A Gaming PC Worth It?

Although there are several cons of using a PC for gaming, gaming PCs are definitely worth it. In the long run, the benefits outweigh the costs of acquiring one. This is because a PC provides a wider choice of game titles, better graphics, and great complexity, unlike the downgraded titles that would come with other gaming consoles.

Furthermore, the consoles have a five-year lifespan which causes older game titles. So, if you want to get a long-lasting experience, consider getting a PC. However, be prepared to ensure your system stays up to date.

How Much Does a Gaming PC Cost? Prebuilt Gaming PC

A standard gaming PC varies in price from $800 to $1,200. However, if you want to run high-end games at 60+ frames per second on maximum settings, you may have to pay up to $2,000.

The final cost is greatly influenced by what you want to get out of your new gear. For example, the World of Warcraft and League of Legends is less demanding games, unlike Virtual Reality. The nature of gaming you do and the level of performance you expect will directly impact the pricing.

How Much Does it Cost to Build/Construct the Best Gaming PC?

Constructing the best gaming PC might cost up to $3,000 or $4,000, based on how you want to use it. So, if you’re hoping to save on costs, you can choose to assemble your own PC and pay as low as $1,500 for a high-end system.

Once you start estimating the cost of building a gaming pc, you need to clearly define what you intend to use it for. You can get away with a good-ranked PC if you simply play Fortnite or League of Legends. However, if you want to stream or play virtual reality games in high settings, you’ll need a more powerful system.

Cost of the Components In a Gaming PC

When it comes to finding out how much you need to get your own gaming PC, then you should consider the components. The average cost of a gaming computer boils down to the components that are inside. So, here is how much such components cost;

1. CPU

CPU is a crucial component in a gaming PC. As a result, you want to get the best gaming PC if you don’t want to compromise on good gaming performance. Budget CPUs in the $100-$200 range should be adequate for most gaming PCs.

Some modern PC games, such as Civilization, benefit from an enhanced overall compute power due to the number of different characters and all the calculations that must be performed. However, having a lot of visual power is more crucial while playing PC games.

2. Graphics Card

The convenience provided by a good graphics card is more important than the processor when it comes to gaming PCs. The price of budget graphic cards ranges from $150 to $300. With a budget of about $180, you can get a powerful RX 570 graphics card. Newer Nividia models are also great options; for example, you can get RTX 2070 for about $850.

3. Storage

While seeking a low price, finding the right mix between your gaming PC’s SSD memory and HDD extra storage options minimizes game load time. On Amazon, a Western Digital 1 TB SSD storage costs about $90, which is our recommended choice.

A budget gaming PC may only need one drive, which should be a decent M.2 SSD or a 2.5′′ SATA SSD, especially if your motherboard does not have an M.2 port. However, the drive should be large enough to hold Windows and everything else you intend to install on the machine, including games.

If you have Windows installed on an M.2 SSD and require additional storage space, 2.5′′ SATA SSDs are perfect for storing games that you are actively playing.

On the other hand, 3.5′′ hard drives are great for low-priced storage on media files and games that you’re not playing actively or that are also not load-heavy. You may have outdated PC storage devices that would be ideal for this.

4. Motherboard

You should choose a powerful motherboard that supports more storage, has upgradeability, and is compatible with potential CPU upgrades. While there are good micro ATX (mATX) motherboards available for less than $100, the best full-size ATX boards have a minimum price of $100 or $300 if it comes with additional features like better onboard CPUs and more ports.

The motherboard you choose should preferably contain at least one PCIe x16 graphics card port and one M.2 storage slot. Our recommended choice would be the ASUS prime Z390-A, which costs approximately $300.

5. CPU Cooler

Getting a CPU with a built-in heatsink will save you money, and this becomes more valuable as processing power increases. A basic CPU cooler will cost between $30 and $60, while premium coolers and all-in-one liquid coolers will cost between $100 and $200.

6. GPU

Choosing the greatest graphics card you can afford is not always a good idea when it comes to gaming PCs. You need to have your desired level of performance in mind, and you should only buy the right graphics for such a level of performance. Bottlenecking is another thing you should consider for a budget gaming pc build.

In general, GPUs that have a cost in the $120-$200 range are designed for less demanding games, while GPUs in the $220-$500 range support a high refresh rate gaming and can handle more demanding games. You can consider getting aftermarket options from eBay if you’re on a budget.

7. RAM

The cost of RAM is determined by the amount of memory you require. While an 8GB RAM gaming PC might be a budget gaming PC, 16GB is recommended. For most users, 32GB is excess right now, but it’s easily scalable if you want to keep your gaming computer for a long time.

Get RAM that supports the fastest speeds from your motherboard. If cost is a concern for you, stay away from expensive heat spreaders and RGB lighting. If your motherboard comes with four RAM slots, purchasing a pack with two 8GB modules will help you work with 16GB while leaving two slots open for future 32GB expansion. In games, using single-channel RAM has a modest performance hit.

Depending on the RAM you’re going for, most RAMs will range between $20 and $100. Our recommended choice would be the Crucial Ballistix 2400MHz DDR4 RAM Kit.

8. Power Supply Unit

A good power supply unit will cost anywhere between $50 and $100. However, some options that are modular or have high wattage will cost over $150. To play modern pc games, you only need enough wattage to power everything in your own computer. Avoid buying excess power capacities when looking to build a gaming pc.

How Much Should Can You Spend on Your First Gaming PC?

If you’re looking to buy your first gaming pc, then there are a bunch of beginner PCs you can explore; however, you should always think outside the box. This is especially true if you are on a budget. The type of games you’re hoping to play on your gaming computers will determine your best gaming PC.

So, you can consider either a cheap gaming PC under $700, a mid-range one at about $1,100, or a high-end gaming pc for over $1500. Don’t be afraid to have your best gaming PC customized for your needs to ensure you get value for your money. The most important thing is to ensure the

Budget Gaming PC Vs. High-End Gaming PC

Most gaming PCs are considered budget since they are built under a specific budget. However, there are some features you should consider when building your own computer. You should ensure it meets all the minimum requirements you need for your game.

As mentioned earlier, prebuilt gaming PCs come at different prices, and you need to pay attention to the price/performance ratio. If you build a gaming PC, you need to be careful about the performance, especially when using cheaper components. On that note, let’s look at the pros and cons of each type.

Pros and Cons of Budget Gaming PCs

Pros and Cons of High-End Gaming PC

Is it Really Expensive to Build a Gaming PC or Buy a Prebuilt One?

There isn’t a simple answer to this question. Building your own PC was always considered to be the less expensive option, especially if you were searching for high-quality components. Today, however, it is easy to locate a decent bargain and purchase an affordable gaming PC.

The convenience and safety that come with buying the best gaming PC are much more convincing. However, if you want more customization than a prebuilt gaming pc, you can build a gaming pc.

Pros and Cons of Building A Gaming PC

Pros and Cons of Buying a Gaming PC

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) on Gaming PCs

1. Can I use a regular desktop computer for gaming?

While you can use a regular computer for gaming, sometimes, the system requirements of new games may not be able to work with the computer. Gaming PCs have improved graphics and processors that make it easy to play games.

2. Do gaming PCs consume a lot of electricity?

Unlike regular PCs, gaming PCs require a higher power supply, about 6 times the voltage of a regular one. However, the amount varies based on the parts and software of the device running. You can reduce power consumption using newer parts and ensure dust stays at a minimum.