How Much Does It Cost To Build A Gaming PC?

If you’re considering building a PC for gaming, you might wonder: How much does it cost to build a gaming PC? Building a great gaming PC could prove costly. However, the final cost will depend on your needs and budget.

The cost of building a gaming PC does change constantly, but over the years, it has stayed mainly within the same range. In general, building a gaming PC costs anywhere between $1500 to $3,000. However, it depends on the type of gaming PC and your intended use. For example, building a powerful gaming PC would cost more than a basic gaming PC. 

Let’s be clear, building a gaming PC isn’t the most cost-effective. While it may save you some money, the process is time-consuming and frankly exhausting.  

But it would help if you considered how much it would cost. Is building a gaming PC less expensive? Will building a gaming PC be more or less costly than buying one?

Don’t worry. In this guide, we’ll go over how much it costs to build a gaming PC, including a breakdown of all the costs associated. This should help you get a sense of how much to budget. 

What Determines The Cost Of Build A Gaming PC?

When building a gaming PC, several factors will affect the overall cost. To help you figure out what will determine the costs, here are some factors to consider:

Components

At the core of building any gaming PC are the components. Zoom out and figure out what components you’ll need to buy. In general, low to middle-tier quality components are less expensive. At the same time, high-end specialty components cost twice as much. In addition, newer components tend to cost more than older versions.  

Type

You will need to decide what type of gaming PC you wish to build. It will cost more to create a powerful, high-end gaming PC. However, it will undoubtedly cost less if you want to construct a conventional gaming PC.

Tools

Along with the components you will need to build a gaming PC, you’ll need to consider the tools. The price of the tools increases with their level of specialty.

How Much Does It Cost To Build A Gaming PC?

So, you’ve decided to build your gaming PC. There is one crucial thing you should ask yourself. How much does it cost? 

Building a high-end gaming PC can cost up to $3,000, depending on the components. If you opt for a standard-tier gaming PC, you can spend as little as a few hundred dollars to close to $1500. Here is a breakdown of the costs associated with building a gaming PC:

The CPU

The CPU facilitates the exchange of information between various programs and applications. A standard CPU can cost between $200 to $450. It is essentially the most affordable component when building a gaming PC. If you want a more powerful CPU, you can expect to pay between $450 to $600. On the lower end, a CPU can cost as little as $150. 

Graphics Card

The most crucial and expensive component of the PC is the graphic card. As the name suggests, it produces the game’s graphics. Typically, a significant fraction of the cost of building a gaming PC is spent on the graphic card. A powerful graphic card costs close to $300. 

RAM

In the past, the RAM was the most expensive component. Thankfully, during the past several years, it has grown more inexpensive. RAM is essential for enhancing game performance.

You can get 8GB RAM for $40 to $60. But, if you want to play a few games, you must spend at least $70 on 16GB of RAM. If you are a professional gamer, it might be a good idea to buy a 32GM RAM which costs close to $100.

Video Card

Video cards are the heart of the gaming PC. The newest video cards can cost $300 to $500 and support resolutions from 1080p to 4K at 45 to 60 fps. Although it will take a sizable portion of your budget, this is an essential component. If you’re on a tight budget, you can get a sound video card that runs at 30 to 60fps for $160 to $180. 

Motherboard

If you want to cut costs, the motherboard is an excellent component to save money. The motherboard determines the sort of CPU and storage you need. A more basic motherboard costs about $60, while more expensive models might run you $100 to $200.

Storage (Hard Drives and SSDs)

You must buy a high-capacity SSD with at least 250GB of storage. For this storage size, it can cost $30 to $60. But if you want more extensive, like 1TB, it costs around $60 to $100. Generally speaking, SSD prices increase with size. Newer versions also cost more money. 

Power Supply

A power supply is among the least expensive components. You can opt for 450W, which costs $30 to $50. For most gaming PCs, this is often the perfect amount of power. Usually, the cost decreases with decreasing wattage.

We recommend you get a power supply that can handle nearly twice the amount of power your gaming PC would need at full load. For example, if your gaming PC draws 300W, purchase a power supply with at least 600W to keep up with the demand.

Monitor

The monitor is another vital component that you will need to splurge on. Your monitor provides the necessary display by bringing all the other components together. As a result, a standard monitor costs roughly $120 to $200. The price may differ depending on the resolution that you want.

CPU Cooler

As the name implies, CPU coolers are crucial for keeping your CPU cool. Typically, CPU coolers are less expensive than CPUs. They cost between $40 and $100. Depending on the type of CPU cooler, the price varies.

External Components

This is purely for aesthetic reasons. Therefore, if you are money short, external components are one place you cut costs. If you want to add a case, you can spend $30 to $100. Other components, like a low-DPI mouse, can cost as low as $10. In contrast, the cost of a keyword is under $100, about the same as the cost of integrated audio.

Tools

Of course, you will need tools to put everything together. Tools can cost anywhere from $20 to $100. However, some tools you’ll need are sitting around the house. You can get by without purchasing any tools. 

Conclusion

If you are considering building a gaming PC, your first thought should always be how much it will cost. If you choose a robust gaming PC, you will require more expensive, high-end hardware. 

The main components you will need to splurge on are the CPU, power supply, RAM, and monitor. The SSD and external components may not be as important. Therefore, you can cut costs in that area. If your money is short, you can get away with buying the most basic or secondhand external components. 

We hope our guide has given you some insight into how much it costs to build a gaming PC. We recommend researching the components you might need to create a budget ahead of time.

Harold Anderson
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