If you’ve ever considered building your gaming PC, you know they’re not exactly cheap. But if you’re looking to build an awesome gaming rig, it’s time to get serious about making that happen. Fortunately, there are plenty of options for gamers looking for the best parts and options for their new machine.
So you want to build a gaming PC? We’ve got all tips and tricks you need to get going. First, let’s take a look at what you should consider before building your rig.
Table Of Contents
Key considerations before building your gaming PC
- What performance are you looking for?
- What’s the purpose of the PC? Is it for professional gaming or just casual streaming? How often will you be using the PC?
- What hardware and features do you want? New or used components?
- How much space do you have in which to install them?
- How much money do you want to spend?
- Do you want an old-school desktop or something more modern?
Related: Top 5 Gaming Laptops with Best GPUs
Is it cheaper to build or buy a gaming PC?
It depends. Buying a gaming PC is the easiest way to get into gaming. But if you’re ready to take your gaming to the next level, building your machine can be even more cost-effective.
If you’re just looking to play games on your computer, the best option is to buy a pre-built gaming PC. You get all the best parts and components in one package, so there’s no need to worry about how much you’ll spend on accessories. The only downside is that you don’t get to pick and choose which parts you want. If you want more customization options and flexibility, buying everything separately instead of pre-built components will cost less per part. You’ll also have more control over what kind of power supply, graphics card, or motherboard you want—all things that can make a difference in performance (and price).
Related: How Long Do Gaming Laptops Last?
The best part about building your gaming PC is that you’ll be able to customize every aspect of it—from the case and motherboard to RAM and storage. You’ll also have complete control over how fast your CPU runs and how much RAM you want in your system. And once you build your PC, you can always upgrade later on down the road if necessary!
So what does it cost? Well, depending on what kind of hardware you choose and where you buy it, prices vary widely from $400 to thousands of dollars! But if you know exactly what features you want and how much money they’ll cost, plenty of deals out there will save you cash while still giving you everything that comes with a top-of-the-line gaming rig.
How much does it cost to build a decent gaming PC in 2023?
For starters, it’s essential to consider what kind of performance you’re looking for in your new gaming rig. We recommend spending more on components like RAM and graphics cards if you’re after a high-end version. But if you’re only interested in playing games casually or on a budget, then lower-end models are probably all you need—or at least the bare minimum required for playing most games without too many problems.
You can find everything from prebuilt computers that have already been assembled. Retailers like Best Buy and Amazon have units. Dell has custom builds for gamers with specific requirements, such as liquid cooling systems or custom-designed cooling fans.
Some people prefer building their gaming PCs from scratch. This way, they ensure that every component is quality and functional.
Here’s how much it costs to build a gaming PC: Rough estimates
- Base Model – $500-$1,000
- High-End Gaming PC – $1,200-$3,000
- High-End Gaming Desktop – $3,000-$5,000
What parts do I need to build a gaming PC?
If you’re a gamer, you’ve probably been asked this question at least once: “What parts do I need to build a gaming PC?” The truth is the answer depends on several things. If you’re looking for something powerful enough to run games at a high frame rate and can handle virtual reality (VR), your needs will be very different from someone just looking for something to stream Netflix shows.
Once you have figured out your budget, it’s time to look at the different parts available for different prices.
Second, decide what type of computer case will work best for your needs: desktop or laptop. Desktop cases are more expensive than laptop cases because they are larger and have more features (like built-in sound cards). If you build something yourself from scratch, a desktop case might be easier than finding one that fits in your lap!
Third, decide on the quality of the most critical components for your gaming experience: graphics card? CPU? RAM? SSD drive? Etc.? Your budget and needs will ultimately determine these choices.
Fourth, once all these decisions have been made, go online and review each component’s reviews before making your purchase to know their performance level and compatibility.
Seven components ideal for a gaming PC
While the exact components that you need will depend on your budget and preferences, it’s worth taking a look at the following list of items that you can expect to find in most modern gaming PCs:
Gaming PC Case
Your case needs to have adequate space for all of your components to fit inside it: thus, first, consider a case size before purchasing other parts. The size of your case (full-tower, mid-tower, and mini-tower) should also co-relate with the space and location you have to place it.
The case sets the tone and theme colors for the entire PC; therefore, if on a tight budget, don’t splurge on unnecessary features. However, if you want features like tampered glass windows, fancy fans, and general eye-catching aesthetics, be ready to cough out more dollars.
Motherboard
The motherboard will determine how fast (and powerful) your computer will be, and it’s also the most expensive part of the system. Motherboard-CPU compatibility is critical. If you’re using an Intel CPU, we recommend going with an M series or H series motherboard—these are great because they have better cooling and more power than other options available at retail stores.
Related: Best Motherboard for RTX 3080 – Top 6 Options in 2023
The great concern is finding an excellent socket fit for your intended processor. Although pricier, opt for a motherboard that supports the latest cutting-edge technologies, like at least eighth-generation Intel chips for gaming PCs. The motherboard size will depend on the components you’ll plug in.
Related: 7 Best Motherboards for Ryzen 9 5900x in 2023
Central Processing Unit (CPU)
The CPU is what controls everything in your computer—it’s where all the calculations happen. Your processor comprises many parts that work together to perform tasks like moving data between parts of your operating system and storing information in RAM (random access memory). The faster your processor can process tasks, the faster your computer can run programs and games.
Related: Best CPU for RTX 3080 – Top 6 Options in 2023
Look for a CPU with a faster clock speed and a high number of cores and threads—these metrics have a significant performance level. For example, more cores and threads are highly responsive and allow smooth multitasking. A faster clock speed boosts FPS in high-end games.
Related: Best CPU for NVIDIA RTX 3070 – 5 Top Picks in 2023
Graphics card (GPU)
The GPU is a must-have for pro gamers or even beginners playing heavy-graphics games. It’s responsible for rendering 3D images on screen or within games so that they look smooth and realistic—no matter what kind of resolution or quality setting your monitor has.
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This determines how whack or great your gaming experience will be—so don’t be too frugal. Ideally, an HD gaming card with at least 60 frames per second (fps) at higher resolutions like 1080p or 1440p, or 4k gaming is such a powerhouse for gamers—pricy but a worth-it investment.
Memory: RAM (Random Access Memory).
This is where all your game data lives while being loaded into memory by the CPU or GPU during gameplay. This memory must be fast enough to meet your game’s demands. The more RAM available on any given system, the faster it can run games smoothly. With lower RAM, there may be performance issues when running multiple programs later down the line. With RAM, aim for capacity and speed balance.
Given the nature of modern games (large files), you’ll need high-capacity RAM. The minimum recommended RAM for games is at least 8 GB. A 12 GB is best for optimal performance. If you want a top-notch gaming experience get 16 GB RAM. Suppose you plan to multitask while on a gaming session, don’t get anything below 32GM RAM. You can always add RAM afterward for up to 128GM on Intel eighth-generation processors. Intel SSDs offer capacity, increased responsiveness, and performance compared to DDR technology.
Storage
While it would be desirable for gaming PCs to have up to one terabyte of storage to accommodate future upgrading, a 500 GB hard disk will still do quite well.
The power supply unit
Select all the needed components, then calculate the power required to pick the suitable power unit. Notably, the higher the CPU and GPU, the more the power is drained. Therefore, choose a robust power supply unit that can handle the power usage to minimize excess drain.
Related: What Power Supply do I need for RTX 3080?
How much does it cost to build a gaming pc (FAQs)
How much does a gaming setup cost?
The price of a gaming setup depends on the type of game you want to play, the monitor you choose, and whether you need an audio system. The average cost for a gaming PC is around $700-900, but other expenses can add up quickly. If you want to play games on a high-end rig, you will likely have to shell out more money than if you were just going for something simple.
How much is a gaming pc and monitor
A gaming PC’s cost depends on the components inside. If you want a powerful rig that can run games at 60 FPS, you might need a processor costing $100 or more. You can also spend less if you get an AMD Ryzen 5 2600X, which costs around $100 on Amazon. If you’re looking for something more powerful, then maybe it’s time to upgrade your RAM or graphics card.
The bottom line
If you’re looking to build a gaming PC, you’ve got a lot of options. You can go with the absolute minimum and buy just a CPU, operating system, and graphics card from the store. We hope the above guide will get you started on the right note.