How Much Does It Cost to Build a Gaming PC 2023?
So, you want to make your own Gaming PC, but do you know how much it costs to build a gaming PC? One factor you must understand is that there’s no definite answer to your question. Building a gaming PC can set you as low as $ 300 or as high as $ 2000. The real question is what kind of gaming PC you want to make and for what purpose you need it. Here is a short list of various gaming PC builds you may have.
Also, a little guide to tell you which category of gaming PCs your budget is for me to build:
Budget Gaming PC ($ 300 – $ 700)
Creating a budget gaming PC means that you have to compromise on performance for the price. With a budget machine, you are likely to be able to play most of the new titles at low to medium settings and still get a playable framerate of 30 frames per second.
With $ 300 to $ 500, you can get components such as an Intel core i5-9400F, Nvidia GTX 1660, a Gigabyte Z390 UD motherboard, 16GB DDR4 RAM, a 500GB SSD, as well as a power supply, and a case.
Mid-Range Gaming PC ($ 700 – $ 1200)
A mid-range gaming PC, contrary to its name, will actually allow you to play multiple games at medium to high settings while achieving frame rates close to 60 fps. The price range for mid-range gaming PCs is around $ 700 to $ 1200. With such a budget, you can get an Intel 9th generation Intel Core i7 processor with a good graphics card like the Nvidia RTX 2060.
High-End Gaming PCs ($ 1200 and beyond)
If you are more than just an enthusiast and you have the budget to pay for a high-end PC, then you should spend around $ 1200 and above on your PC. To build a high-end gaming PC, you need powerful components such as a 9th generation Intel Core i9 processor, Nvidia 2080 Super, ASUS TUF Z390-Plus, and up to 64GB of RAM. With a PC like this, you are definitely killing your enemies easily, provided you have the skills to go along with it.
More About How Much Does It Cost to Build a Gaming PC 2023?
Desktop PCs continue to be a major gaming platform even amid the rise of 8th-generation game consoles. Sony’s PS4 and Microsoft’s Xbox One may be popular but nothing can beat a gaming PC still. In fact, a well-made gaming PC is the best investment for hardcore gamers as players can enjoy the game in maximum settings.
There are countless ready-to-use gaming PCs available. But if you want to optimize and save, it is better to build your own. Before you start assembling your own desktop, learn about the cost of building a gaming PC to know how much to expect.
Average Cost of Making A Gaming PC
To assemble your own desktop you will have to shop for individual parts. You can save up to $ 50 to $ 200 compared to buying a pre-assembled computer.
Note that this guide mainly includes Intel-based and AMD-based builds. Intel and AMD are the leading makers of core elements like CPUs and GPUs. However, Intel processors outperform their AMD counterparts in terms of clock speed and efficiency. This is why Intel parts are generally more expensive than their AMD counterparts.
To know how each part costs, here is a list of PC components and their approximate prices:
Video Card
Also known as a graphics processing unit (GPU), video cards serve as the lifeblood of a gaming PC. The built-in GPU of the latest generation processors works at 30 to 60 frames per second (fps) in low to medium settings. You can also opt for the maximum settings at 1080p to 4K resolution at 45 to 60 fps. High-quality video cards cost between $ 300 and $ 500.
Processor
As the brains of your PC, the Central Processing Unit (CPU) determines the overall performance of your rig. The cost of making a gaming PC with a CPU suitable for gaming ranges from $ 150 to $ 350. The GPU has a higher processing speed at the higher end of the price range. Ultra-fast processing allows you to play massive A-list games at maximum settings with your desktop.
Intel Budget Build
The cost to build a gaming PC with an Intel budget build is about $ 305 to $ 385. This system allows you to play most online games such as Dota 2 and Counter-Strike on medium settings.
- CPU (Intel Core i3, Dual Core) – Between $ 70 to $ 100
- RAM (4GB DDR3) – Between $ 20 to $ 25
- GPU (GTX 750Ti) – Between $ 90 to $ 110
- Motherboard (Intel DDR3) – Between $ 40 to $ 50
- Hard Drive (512GB SATA II) – Between $ 40 to $ 60
- Case and Power Supply (500W) – Between $ 50 to $ 60
Most entry-level motherboards with one to two slots of RAM and basic needs will work for this system. A typical 500 to 600W power supply unit (PSU) is sufficient to support hardware without the need for an external cooling system. These specs may run most casual games in most settings. However, don’t expect it to run AAA titles like Dark Souls 3 at 1080p and 60 FPS.
Alternative Budget Creation Using AMD
This system uses practically the same components in the Intel budget build, except for the CPU, GPU, and motherboard. The cost to build a gaming computer using a basic AMD rig ranges from about $ 295 to $ 375.
- CPU (AMD A8 Series, Dual-Core) – Between $ 60 to $ 90
- GPU (AMD Radeon HD 7000 Series) – Between $ 90 to $ 100
- Motherboard (for AMD A8 with AMD DD3 F1 socket) – Between $ 40 to $ 50
High-End Build
This gaming PC is very powerful, as it can play the latest games in 4K resolution at 60 FPS or higher. Here are the individual prices of its suggested components:
- Motherboard (ATX with DDR4 slot) – Between $ 200 to $ 230
- CPU (Intel Core i7, 7000K series, 4 physical cores) – Between $ 300 to $ 340
- RAM (32 GB DDR4) – Between $ 250 to $ 275
- GPU (GeForce GTX 1090Ti) – Between $ 670 to $ 680
- Hard Drive (512GB SSD) – Between $ 300 to $ 325
- Power Supply (850W Gold, True Rated) – Between $ 150 to $ 160
- Case (with the cooling system) – Between $ 50 to $ 60
The high-end build costs around $ 1,920 to $ 2,070. This system requires a more powerful PSU with a cooling case as its hardware uses more power and produces more heat. It is also built around the Intel i7 and GTX 1090 as these are the most powerful components currently available.
Cost Factors for Creating Gaming PCs
There are many factors that determine the cost of making a gaming computer. CPUs and GPUs cover most of the expenses. In general, the more powerful a CPU and GPU are, the more expensive it is. Meanwhile, hard disk drives (HDDs) and monitors also affect the total cost.
Hard Disk Drive
The hard disk drive is wherever you save the operating system, your files, and essentially everything. The larger the capability of a hard drive, the more expensive it’s.
For a customized build, it is highly recommended to install a solid-state drive (SSD) on top of the SATA II drive. SSDs are much more expensive than traditional HDDs, but they can boot your system in a few seconds. SSDs also have a high cost-to-storage size ratio. So it is highly advisable to have a secondary SATA HDD to store your files and installers.
Monitor
Desktop monitors can greatly affect the cost of building a gaming computer. In turn, your choice of monitor depends on your gaming preferences. The larger the screen, the upper the price. The same applies to the resolution of the monitor.
However, the maximum resolution of a monitor does not mean that it is the optimal resolution for your game. In-game settings can depend on the PC’s internal parts.
When building your own gaming PC, you should match the peripherals of your choice with the capabilities of your system. Creating your own gaming PC is very beneficial because it is modular. You can replace the parts with the new compatible model upon release in the market. Playing your game in a system is a truly rewarding experience that you have adapted and built yourself.
Conclusion
It may be seen that from the price range given higher than, the quantity you spend on your Gaming Computer depends mostly on your budget and what kind of components you want to buy. However, we recommend that you enjoy your gaming to the fullest, you should spend at least $ 300 to $ 700 on your new computer. With $ 300 to $ 400, you can be sure to play most games on low to medium settings depending on the requirements of the game. Also, the more you invest initially, the more you will be able to sell your computer when you decide to upgrade to a new computer.
