How Much Does It Cost To Build A Gaming PC
Despite the rise of the 8th generation of game consoles, the desktop PC remains a popular gaming platform. Although Sony’s PS4 and Microsoft’s Xbox One are popular, nothing beats a gaming PC. In fact, for dedicated gamers, a well-built gaming PC is the greatest investment because it allows them to play games at their highest settings.
There are a plethora of ready-to-use gaming PCs on the market. However, if you want more personalization and savings, you should build your own. Before you start putting up your own desktop, find out how much it costs to build a gaming PC.
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Average Cost to Build A Gaming PC
You must shop for components individually when assembling your own desktop. When compared to buying a pre-assembled PC, you can save anywhere from $50 to $200.
Please keep in mind that this article focuses on Intel and AMD-based systems. Core component makers like CPUs and GPUs are dominated by Intel and AMD. Intel CPUs, on the other hand, outperform AMD counterparts in terms of clock speed and efficiency. This is why Intel components are typically more expensive than AMD components.
Here’s a list of PC components and their approximate prices to help you figure out how much each one costs:
Video card
Video cards, also known as Graphics Processing Units (GPUs), are the lifeblood of gaming computers. The built-in GPU in the latest generation processors operates at 30 to 60 fps in low to moderate settings. Maximum settings at 1080p to 4K resolutions at 45 to 60 frames per second are also available. Video cards of superior quality range between $300 and $500.
Processor
The Central Processing Unit (CPU) is the brain of your computer and influences its overall performance. Building a gaming PC with a CPU optimized for gaming can cost anywhere between $150 and $350. The processing rates of GPUs at the higher end of the pricing range are faster. With the ultra-fast processing, you may use your desktop to play large A-list games at maximum settings.
Intel budget build
Building a game PC with an Intel budget build will set you back roughly $305 to $385. Most online games, such as Dota 2 and Counter-Strike, may be played at medium settings with this setup.
- CPU (Intel Core i3, dual core) – $70 to $100
- RAM (4GB DDR3) – $20 to $25
- GPU (GTX 750Ti) – $90 to $110
- Motherboard (Intel DDR3) – $40 to $50
- Hard drive (512GB SATA II) – $40 to $60
- Case and power supply (500W) – $50 to $60
This system will operate with most entry-level motherboards with one to two RAM slots and the bare essentials. Without the use of an external cooling system, a standard 500 to 600W power supply unit (PSU) is sufficient to support the hardware. Most casual games may also be played at maximum settings with these specs. However, don’t expect it to handle AAA games like Dark Souls 3 at 1080p at 60 frames per second.
Alternative budget build using AMD
With the exception of the CPU, GPU, and motherboard, this system is almost identical to the Intel budget build. Building a gaming machine with a basic AMD system costs between $295 and $375.
- CPU (AMD A8 series, dual-core) – $60 to $90
- GPU (AMD Radeon HD 7000 series) – $90 to $100
- Motherboard (AMD DD3 having F1 socket for AMD A8) – $40 to $50
High-end build
This gaming PC is extremely powerful, capable of running the most recent games in 4K resolution at 60 frames per second or higher. Here are the prices of the recommended components individually:
Motherboard (ATX with DDR4 slots) – $200 to $230
CPU (Intel Core i7, 7000K series, 4 physical cores) – $300 to $340
RAM (32 GB DDR4) – $250 to $275
GPU (GeForce GTX 1090Ti) – $670 to $680
Hard drive (512GB SSD) – $300 to $325
Power supply (850W gold, true rated) – $150 to $160
Case (with the cooling system) – $50 to $60
The high-end build will set you back between $1,920 and $2,070. Because its gear consumes more electricity and generates more heat, this system requires a more powerful PSU with a cooling enclosure. It’s also based on Intel’s i7 processor and Nvidia’s GTX 1090 graphics card, which are the most powerful components currently available.
Cost Factors for Building A Gaming PC
The cost of developing a gaming computer is determined by a number of things. The CPU and GPU account for the majority of the costs. The more powerful a CPU and GPU are, the more expensive they are. Meanwhile, the total cost is influenced by the hard disc drive (HDD) and monitor.
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Hard disk drive
The operating system, your information, and literally everything is saved on the hard disc drive. The larger the hard disc drive’s capacity, the more expensive it is.
Installing a solid-state drive (SSD) on top of the SATA II drive is strongly suggested for an optimum build. Although SSDs are more expensive than standard HDDs, they can launch your PC in a matter of seconds. SSDs have a high cost-to-storage-size ratio as well. As a result, having a separate SATA HDD to store your files and installers is strongly recommended.
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Monitor
The cost of designing a gaming PC is heavily influenced by the desktop monitor. As a result, your monitor selection is determined by your gaming tastes. The higher the screen size, the higher the price. The resolution of the monitor works the same.
The maximum resolution of a monitor, on the other hand, does not always imply that it is the best resolution for your games. The internal components of the PC will determine the in-game settings.
When designing your own gaming PC, you should match your peripherals to your system’s capabilities. Because it is modular, building your own gaming PC has several advantages. When newer appropriate models are offered on the market, you can upgrade the components with them. Playing your games on a system that you designed and constructed yourself is a wonderfully satisfying experience.
Conclusion
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