How Much Does It Cost To Build A Gaming PC Today? (2023)

How much it costs to build a gaming pc has changed over the years and tons of people are making their own gaming PC build every year. But how much does it cost to build a gaming PC?

In this article, we will explore how the prices for different parts have shifted, and what you can expect to pay if you want to build a gaming pc today.

We will also provide tips on saving money while still assembling a high-quality gaming computer.

What Do You Need To Build Your Own Gaming PC?

If you want to build your own gaming PC, you will need all the necessary components to make it work. This includes a CPU, motherboard, RAM, graphics card, storage, and a power supply.

You will also need a PC case to house all your components and various cables to connect everything together.

In the list below, we will go through all the PC components needed for your own computer:

Central Processing Unit (CPU)

The CPU, or central processing unit, is the most important part of your gaming PC. It is responsible for handling all the instructions and calculations required to run games and other applications.

When choosing a CPU, you will need to consider the type of processor it is, as well as its clock speed and number of cores.

Most gaming PCs require a quad-core processor in order to handle the intense graphics and calculations required for today’s games.

Intel processors are currently the best option for gaming, with their high clock speeds and number of cores. AMD processors are usually a cheaper option, but may not be as powerful as the high-end CPUs.

CPU Coolers

A CPU cooler is a device that helps keep your processor cool while it is running. If your CPU gets too hot, it can damage or even kill the chip. This is why it is important to choose a CPU cooler that will adequately cool your processor.

You can choose between an air CPU cooler or go with the more effective liquid CPU cooling.

Air coolers are the most common type of CPU cooler and work by using fans to blow air over the processor’s heatsink.

A liquid cooler is more expensive but can provide better cooling than air coolers.

When choosing CPU cooling systems, make sure that the CPU cooler is big and effective enough to keep your CPU cold enough. Be aware that high-end CPUs can get really hot so find a proper cooling match for your PC build.

Graphical Processing Unit (GPU)

A graphics processing unit, or GPU, is responsible for displaying the graphics that are seen on your gaming monitor.

When choosing a GPU, you will need to consider its performance and the type of ports it has.

The best GPUs for gaming are those that have a large number of cores and offer a high level of performance.

NVIDIA and AMD are the two main manufacturers of GPUs, with NVIDIA usually offering the more powerful options. This PC component will usually be the most expensive part of your build, but make sure that you don’t burn all of your budget on your GPU.

Power Supply Unit (PSU)

A power supply unit, or PSU, is responsible for providing power to all the other components in your gaming PC.

When choosing a PSU, you will need to consider the wattage it provides and its level of efficiency.

The best PSUs for gaming are those that have a high wattage and are highly efficient. This will ensure that your PC components receive the power they need.

It’s important that the power supply provides enough power for your components. But again, don’t buy a high-end PSU if your other components don’t need that high of a wattage.

Random Access Memory (RAM)

RAM, or random access memory, is responsible for storing the data that is currently being used by your system.

When choosing how much RAM for gaming, you will need to consider its size and type. Most gaming PCs require at least 16GB of RAM in order to run new games properly and I would even suggest getting 32GB RAM.

The best type of RAM for gaming is DDR5, as it offers high speeds and low latency. DDR4 RAM should be enough for most gaming PC builds.

Motherboard

The motherboard is the central component of your gaming PC. It is responsible for connecting all the other components and allowing them to communicate with each other.

When choosing a motherboard, you will need to consider its size, form factor, and number of ports. Besides that, you should always check that your motherboard is compatible with other components, have enough RAM slots, and that it fits in your PC case.

Storage (HDD Or SSD)

When choosing storage for your gaming PC, you will have two main options: a hard disk drive (HDD) or a solid-state drive (SSD).

An HDD is a traditional storage device that stores data on spinning disks. This makes them slower than SSDs but they are much cheaper and can offer more storage capacity.

An SSD is a newer type of storage that stores data on flash-memory chips. This makes them much faster than HDDs but they are usually more expensive and have a lower storage capacity.

For gaming, an SSD is the best option as it will improve the loading times of games and make your system feel faster overall.

If you can afford it, I would suggest getting a PC with both an HDD and an SSD for the best performance.

Cooling Systems And Fans

A good cooling system is essential for any gaming PC. If your CPU or GPU gets too hot, it can cause them to break or performance to drop.

There are a few different types of cooling systems that you can choose from: air, water, and liquid nitrogen.

Air cooling involves using fans to blow cool air over the hot components. This is the most common type of cooling system and is usually the cheapest.

Water cooling involves using a water block to transfer heat from the components to a radiator. This type of cooling system is more expensive than air cooling, but it is more efficient and can keep your components cooler.

Liquid nitrogen cooling involves using liquid nitrogen to cool the components. This type of cooling system is the most expensive and can be dangerous if not used correctly.

The best type of cooling system depends on your budget and how extreme you want your gaming PC to be.

A Computer Chassis

A computer chassis, or case, is the enclosure that holds all the other components of your gaming PC. It is important to choose a case that is big enough to fit all your components, has good airflow, and is made from good material.

Metal cases are usually better than plastic cases as they are more durable and can provide better cooling. If you want to go for a really high-end case, you can get one made from aluminum or titanium.

The best gaming case is one that has a lot of room for expansion, good airflow, and a good amount of features. The most important is choosing the right size. It really sucks to have a bunch of gaming components that can’t fit inside your PC case.

Cables And Extras

For your gaming PC to function, you will need various cables to connect all the components. These cables include power cables, data cables, and audio cables.

It’s important to make sure that your case has enough cable routing holes so that you can easily connect everything without too much clutter. You can even use cool strips to clean up the insides of the PC making it look even more epic.

Make sure to have a gaming mouse and keyboard, headset, monitor, and an operating system, so you don’t miss anything once your build is finished.

So How Much Does It Cost To Build A Gaming PC?

Well, it all comes down to what you need out of your gaming PC. If you want a gaming computer that can run all the new games and are more future-proof, you need a high-end gaming PC.

Are you just starting your gaming journey, or do you not play high graphic games, you don’t need expensive components.

The Costs Of A Budget Gaming PC

You can build a budget gaming PC for around $600-$800. This will include a decent CPU, power supply, motherboard, graphics card, and storage.

You may have to compromise on some of the components, but this will still allow you to play most games on low or medium settings.

The Costs Of A Mid Range Gaming PC

Building a mid-range gaming computer can cost anywhere from $1,000 to $1,300. This will get you a more powerful processor, graphics card, and motherboard. The main part of the budget will go towards a better CPU and graphics card. You can always upgrade components if you have more room in your budget.

With a mid-range gaming PC, you will be able to play almost any game on decent settings. Make sure you combine the PC with a good streaming or gaming monitor too for an optimal gaming experience.

The Costs Of A High-End Gaming PC

If you want the best gaming experience, you need to build a high-end gaming PC. This will cost you anywhere from $3.000+.

This type of gaming PC will have the best processors, the best graphics card, and motherboards. It will also have more storage and RAM than a budget or mid-range gaming PC, and a cooling system will be ready to make sure everything is at low temperatures during your gaming sessions.

With a high-end and powerful gaming PC, you will be able to play any game on the highest settings. Your new powerful gaming PC is also very future-proof for upcoming games.

Should You Build Your Own PC Or Buy A Prebuilt Gaming PC?

This is always the question for any gamer that is looking for a new gaming PC. But both options are great and have pros and cons: 

Building Your Own Gaming PC

There are a lot of reasons why you should make a custom PC build. But it all comes down to what you are looking for and your knowledge of building gaming computers.

Pros

• You can choose exactly the components you want for your gaming PC build.
• You save money on your gaming PC.
• You can get the most powerful and advanced gaming hardware in your build.
• It’s kinda cool to build your own stuff.

Cons

• You need the knowledge to build your own PC.
• You need to know what components fit each other.
• It takes a bit of time.

Buying Prebuilt Gaming PCs

You also have the option to buy an already-built gaming PC. You just have to choose if you want a budget gaming PC build, a mid-range, or a super powerful gaming PC.

Pros

• You don’t need to worry about compatibility or how to build it.
• Prebuilt gaming PCs exist in all price ranges.
• You just have to wait for it to arrive at your door.
• It’s ready to go.

Cons

• You can’t tailor it exactly to your wishes.
• It is usually a bit more expensive.

How Do You Start Building Your Gaming Computer?

If you are into PC gaming and want to build your own PC, there are plenty of guides that show you exactly how to do it. You should start by knowing your budget for your build and research what components match each other so you don’t buy an expensive CPU that your chosen CPU coolers can’t cool down.

It can be a really good idea to speak with a professional or watch a couple of YouTube videos before you start the build. That gives you enough time to change your mind if you think the job is a bit too complicated.

FAQ

How Much Does A Gaming Setup Cost?

A gaming setup can cost anywhere between $700 and $3000+. It depends on what games you want to play and which settings the games should be played on.

How Much Does It Cost To Build A Gaming PC In 2023?

You can build your own PC for around $600 if you want a budget computer or you can choose to upgrade components to be able to play games that are more CPU and GPU-heavy.

How To Build A Gaming PC?

Start by getting all the components ready and plug the motherboards into the chassis. The rest of the components should fit nicely into the motherboard. It’s a good idea to watch a Youtube video while building a gaming PC.

Wrapping Up

So there you have it! We have gone through every PC component from a quality power supply to CPUs and RAMs. Even external components like an operating system for your gaming PC have been a part of this article.

We have also talked about different gaming PC costs. Whether you want to play the latest games or just enjoy casual PC gaming, then there is a PC build for you. It all comes down to your wants and needs and if you want to build the gaming PC yourself or have someone do it for you.