How Much Does a Gaming PC Cost? – Price Points in Gaming Excellence

Building your own gaming PC is typically viewed as a magical, pricey process that only the most dedicated gamers can attempt—but it doesn’t have to be that way! 

Sure, if you want to construct the most powerful gaming rig with all the bells and whistles, it will cost you, but if you want a fantastic gaming experience on a budget, building your own gaming PC can be a terrific option.

We’ve put together this helpful guide to help you figure out how much it costs to construct the gaming PC of your dreams. 

It will walk you through all the different components you’ll need and give you some estimations on how much each one will cost. So, let’s get this party started!

Is a Gaming PC Worth it?

Yes, a gaming PC is worthwhile, especially if you are a die-hard gamer who enjoys playing every AAA title. Gaming PCs simplify the process of upgrading and configuring your computer. 

A gaming PC can also be upgraded and modified, and it can have higher graphics and frame rates than a conventional computer. As a result, PCs have an advantage over consoles.

You may play games at the maximum possible resolution without suffering lag or frame drops thanks to the powerful graphics card. Every play session is lightning-fast and highly enjoyable.

However, you can do more with a gaming PC. You may easily perform heavy-duty computing tasks like video editing, graphics design, and 3D modeling.

You get the following advantages if you have a gaming PC:

• Playing without lag. The latest NVIDIA GeForce GTX graphics cards, together with gaming PCs’ high refresh rates, provide a faultless gaming experience at 60 frames per second in 4K resolution.
• Excellent performance. Computers designed for gaming include a strong Intel Core i5 or i7 quad-core processor capable of running the latest and greatest games.
• Excellent images. High-end graphics cards in gaming PCs enable exceptionally clear and crisp pictures.
• Technology for cooling. Dedicated gaming PCs include cutting-edge cooling technologies that keep your hardware cool even after hours of use.
• Increased loading speed. Even when playing the most demanding games, the solid-state drives (SSDs) in today’s gaming PCs enable rapid game loading and nearly eliminate lag.

Do you think a gaming PC is worthwhile based on all of these features? It certainly is.

How Much Does a Good Gaming PC Cost in 2023

In 2023, a respectable gaming PC will cost between $500 and $4,000. Prebuilt gaming PCs are classified into two types:

OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer)

HP, Dell, Acer, and Lenovo are the original equipment manufacturers. They create exclusive components that are used to make a gaming PC.

The disadvantage is that the components are not always interchangeable. However, this makes their gaming PCs less expensive than SI gaming PCs.

Another disadvantage is that upgrading the PCs may be difficult.

SI (System Integrator)

System Integrator game PCs are the result of companies like Skytech Game assembling ordinary PC components used by PC builders to produce a gaming PC. For example, they may use the greatest graphics card, motherboard, and power supply.

These PCs are ideal for gamers who wish to disassemble their gaming PCs to improve them.

So, before you buy a gaming PC, you must discern between the two.

What are the Specific Features to Look for When Choosing a Gaming PC?

Invest in a high-end personal computer with a powerful central processor (CPU) and graphics processing unit (GPU). You should also think about the RAM, cooling, and hard drive.

Let’s go over these features in depth.

Central Processing Unit

The video games’ central processing unit (CPU) processes game instructions and evaluates user input.

The central processor unit of the computer handles everything from interacting with NPCs to operating the environment and battle simulations.

A multi-core CPU has a much larger number of processing cores than a single-core CPU. The CPU is also in charge of sending data to the PC’s GPU.

The individual processing units in a CPU that read, interpret, and run programs are known as cores. With more cores on your CPU, it can tackle more tasks at once. The Core i5 is ideal for building, but the Core i7 is ideal for performance.

GPU

When it comes to computer gaming, the graphics processing unit (GPU) is critical. To play any modern video game, you’ll need a GPU. A powerful graphics processing unit improves frame rates and overall gaming fluency.

A 3D image necessitates a large number of calculations on your computer. The graphics processing unit (GPU) is in charge of a game’s visuals and computing power.

Because the GPU does these computations quickly, the CPU can focus on more complex tasks, such as handling the computer’s inputs and outputs.

A mid-range graphics card will be adequate for 1080p gameplay at 60 frames per second. You’ll need a powerful GPU for 4K filming at 120 frames per second.

RAM

A computer’s random-access memory (RAM) is essential for every game. Computers with more RAM are faster and more responsive than those with less memory. Random-access memory serves as a cache during lengthy processing. 

You’ll need at least 8 GB of storage space to play games. However, 16 GB is preferable. 32 GB is great if you often switch between applications.

Hard Drive

Your hard drive’s performance may impact how you play games. A fast SSD can improve system responsiveness and cut game loading times.

On the other hand, a slow HDD can add extra wait time that can add up to minutes.

Modern games can consume anywhere from 20GB to 180GB of hard disk storage capacity. So if your HDD is fast enough to accommodate the graphics, you should be alright.

Monitor

The gaming display affects both the players and the game’s overall performance. A quicker refresh rate is desirable in a display.

This indicates how quickly the screen is refreshed to reflect new visual data.

Cooling

Cooling increases PC performance since processing and graphics processing units (GPUs) slow down when exposed to high temperatures.

Temperatures of standard functioning components range between 60 and 70 degrees Celsius (140 and 158 degrees Fahrenheit).

Is $1,000 a Good Price for a Gaming PC?

Yes. A gaming PC for $1000 is an acceptable price. You can purchase a gaming PC with a flawless display and lag-free gaming experience.

The $1,000 price threshold is where you should start looking for a long-term gaming PC.

Is It Cheaper to Build a Gaming PC?

Yes. In 2023, it will be less expensive to create a gaming PC. One could claim that the expense of constructing a gaming PC has just risen.

This is because gaming computer components have recently become more pricey.

While this is true, you can still buy used parts that are much cheaper. You can also look for bargains. You might also save more money by just spending money on things that are important to you.

How Much Does a Gaming PC Cost to Build

When putting together a gaming PC, there are numerous expenses that might be incurred. Between $500 and $1,000 is a reasonable starting point for a low-cost construction job.

Everything in between is available, with prices reaching $2000 and higher.

Best Value for Money Gaming PC

The OMEN 25L Gaming Desktop GT15-0015na PC is the greatest gaming PC for the money.

This gaming PC features a Core i7 processor, allowing intense gaming and stunning visuals. You won’t have to worry about overheating because it has a 120mm fan.

The best aspect is that the Omen 25L can be customized and upgraded. This feature enables future internal component replacement.

Specifications

• Processor: Core i7
• Hard Disk Type: SSD
• Hard Drive: 1 TB
• RAM: 16 GB
• Graphics: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2060
• Operating System: Windows 10

Pros

• Silent system. So you don’t get a lot of noise while gaming.
• Seamless gaming experience

Cons

• It is not perfect for heavy-duty tasks as it overheats fast
• You’ll need to use external audio software if you want high-quality sound. Considering the subpar quality of the onboard audio system.

What Do You Consider a “Decent Gaming PC”?

A good gaming PC for one individual may not be optimal or even very good for another – and vice versa. It all comes down to a few essential factors:

• What kinds of games do you wish to play?
• What is your preferred screen resolution – 720p, 1080p, 1440p, or even 4K?
• What frame rate/frames per second do you require?
• What are your graphics quality preferences – low, medium, high, or max/ultra?

All of these factors will have a big impact on the price of your gaming PC.

For example, if you only want to play older titles that don’t require much power, you may get by with $500 or less.

You may have to pay $1,000 or more to play recent AAA games at 1080p or 1440p extreme settings.

Alternatively, if you want to game at 4K with ultra graphics settings at very high refresh rates of 100 FPS or greater, you will almost certainly need to pay close to $2,000.

So, what do you consider to be a “decent” gaming PC target? Only you have the solution.

To achieve your gaming objectives, you’ll need a few pieces of computer hardware.

Here’s What You Need for a Gaming PC

You can get a prebuilt gaming PC or a gaming laptop or build your desktop gaming rig.

But first, let’s go over what you’ll need for a gaming PC and what each component costs.

Typically, a prebuilt gaming PC has everything you need. You don’t have to think about it or put anything together yourself. However, as you’ll see, prebuilt gaming PCs have some substantial drawbacks and cons.

In terms of gaming laptops, these can be excellent buys in this strange market.

Acer and Dell are shaking up the laptop gaming market with some affordable laptops that are fairly powerful for the money.

For example, the Acer Nitro 5 and Dell G15 are two of the most affordable solutions available today.

So it’s entirely up to you which path you wish to take.

If you opt to construct your gaming PC, here’s a quick rundown of the components you’ll need, along with price ranges:

• A case or chassis: $70 – $150+ (Example: Zalman S3 ATX)
• CPU (or processor): $130 – $350+ (Example: AMD Ryzen 5 5600G)
• GPU (or graphics card): $250/$350 – $450+ (Example: AMD Radeon RX 6600/6600 XT)
• RAM: $50 – $100+ (Example: Corsair Vengeance LPX 16GB)
• Motherboard: $110/$120 – $180+ (Example: GIGABYTE B550M DS3H AC)
• PSU (or power supply): $50 – $120+ (Example: Thermaltake Smart BM2 550W 80+ Bronze)
• Storage drive like a SATA or PCIe NVMe SSD: $50+ (Example: Western Digital SN570 1TB Blue NVMe SSD)
• Monitor: $120/$150 – $300+ (Example: ASUS TUF Gaming 23.8” 1080P FreeSync Premium monitor)
• Keyboard: $10+
• Mouse: $10+
• A headset, speakers, or headphones: $10+
• An operating system like Windows 10 or 11: $139+

This is by no means an all-inclusive or exhaustive list. In another article, I’ve listed every potential thing you would need to create your next gaming PC.

What is a Reasonable Budget for a Gaming PC?

Again, various aspects must be considered. A budget that is appropriate for one individual may not be reasonable for you. It also largely relies on a few key pieces of information.

For example, you may get a gaming PC capable of running specific games at 1080p (19201080 resolution), 50-60 FPS (refresh rate), and medium to high graphical settings. A reasonable price for a gaming PC like this would be between $800 and $1,000.

You may, however, want to play at greater screen resolutions and refresh rates.

This will always necessitate the purchase of more expensive internal PC components. It all comes down to your particular choices and the trade-offs you’re ready to make.

This type of gaming PC will cost you more if you wish to play at 4K screen resolution with exceptionally high frame rates of 120 Hz (FPS) or more.

You can save money if you want to start with PC gaming and play at low graphical settings, refresh rates, and screen resolutions like 1080p.

Key Factors to Consider When Purchasing an Affordable PC for Gaming

When buying a cheap PC for gaming, there are various elements to consider to guarantee you get the best value for your money. Here are some important considerations:

Performance

Determine the system requirements for the games you wish to play. Look for a PC with a capable processor, enough RAM, and a dedicated graphics card capable of handling your selected games at acceptable settings.

Upgradeability

Consider the PC’s upgradeability. Look for a system that enables future upgrades like adding more RAM, expanding storage, or replacing the graphics card.

This will allow you to extend the life and performance of your gaming PC without purchasing a fully new system.

Brand and Warranty

Investigate famous brands known for providing dependable and high-quality products, even in the low-cost range.

Look for PCs with a guarantee to give you peace of mind and protection in case of a hardware failure.

Used or Refurbished Options

Consider buying a used or refurbished PC, which can frequently deliver superior specifications at a lesser cost than brand-new devices.

However, ensure the seller is trustworthy and has a guarantee or return policy for used things.

Compatibility

Check if the PC can run the games you want to play. Examine the game’s system requirements and compare them to the PC specifications you’re considering.

Consider the operating system, storage space, and graphics card compatibility.

Reviews and Recommendations

Read reviews and seek advice from reputable sources or internet communities.

Look for reviews on the performance, dependability, and customer service of the PC brand or model you’re considering.

This can assist you in making an informed selection and avoiding any problems.

Peripherals and Accessories

Consider whether you’ll need additional peripherals and accessories for your gaming setup, such as a monitor, keyboard, mouse, and headset.

Include the price of these things in your entire budget and their quality and compatibility with the PC.

Future Expansion

Examine your future requirements and see if the cheap gaming PC can meet them.

Consider aspects such as the amount of available USB ports, expansion slots, and upgrade possibilities to ensure your system has the room to grow and adapt as needed.

Remember that while it is possible to get inexpensive gaming PCs, there may be trade-offs in performance, build quality, or future upgradeability.

Take the time to research and evaluate several possibilities to discover the ideal mix of pricing and characteristics that match your gaming needs.