As a gaming enthusiast, you know the importance of a high-performance gaming rig for an immersive gaming experience. However, many people are reluctant to build their own PC because it is expensive.
It’s important to understand the costs associated with customized PC gaming, regardless of whether you’re a seasoned gamer or new to the scene. Our goal in this post is to explore the various components available at different price points that make up a gaming PC.
In this article, we break down the costs associated with building your dream gaming PC, from budget-friendly options to high-end setups.
Let’s begin and explore the world of PC gaming!
Determine your Gaming Needs
The first and foremost step before building a gaming PC is, you should determine your gaming needs. If you are a novice in the world of PC gaming, you can build a PC with low-end to mid-end components. The low to mid-tier PC offers 1080p resolution and 60FPS, which seems a good performance for beginners. It will not only be cost-effective but also more than enough to fulfil your gaming requirements.
On the other hand, if you are a pro gamer and love to play competitive and high-end AAA titles, you should require a top-tier computer that can boost your gameplay to the next level. You require a higher FPS from 100-144 on 1080p to play competitively. For building a top-tier PC, you need to have high-end and powerful components that can cost some extra dollars.
Pre-Built PC Vs. Custom Build
The two types of computer acquisition are pre-built and custom-built computers.
Pre-built PCs are pre-assembled, configured, and tested before being sold by the manufacturer or retailer. It’s a worry-free system and usually comes with a warranty. It’s also ready to use out of the box.
On the other hand, custom-built PCs are specifically designed according to the buyer’s desired specifications. The buyer selects all the PC components, from the motherboard to the power supply unit, and assembles them according to his requirements.
Although buying a Pre-built PC is a convenient and affordable way to acquire a quality system, however, it’s not as reliable and future-proof as a customizable PC. It all depends on your needs and preference; you can choose any type of PC. Custom-built PC gives you the freedom to use the low-tier to high-tier components as per your budget.
Essential Components to Build a Gaming PC
A gaming PC should have these essential components. If you choose these components wisely, your system will help you to level up your gaming career.
- PC Case
- Motherboard
- CPU (Central Processing Unit)
- GPU ( Graphics Card)
- RAM (Random Access Memory)
- Storage
- Power Supply Unit
PC Case
A PC case is a chassis of a computer that houses and protects all the interior components of the PC. It’s also called a computer case or tower.
The PC case plays an essential role in a gaming setup’s overall look and design. If you don’t want to sacrifice the aesthetics over a solid build quality or you don’t have budget issues, you can get an attractive glass case with robust lighting fans that give a pleasant look to your gaming setup.
The market is compiled with th different types of PC cases, all varying from each other on the basis of their design aesthetics and features. Some types of PC cases are:
- ATX: It’s the most common PC case type and is compatible with ATX and Micro-ATX motherboards.
- Micro-ATX: It’s a smaller version of the ATX case that is only compatible with Micro-ATX motherboards.
- Mini-ITX: It’s the smallest type of PC case that is only compatible with Mini-ITX motherboards.
The PC case is also necessary to keep the internal components cool because it houses fans, radiators, and other cooling solutions. While selecting a PC case, it’s also crucial to consider the size and compatibility of the case with the other internal components.
Motherboard
The right choice of motherboard is crucial to build a gaming PC because it lays the foundation of your PC empire. All internal components are connected to the motherboard, such as CPU, GPU, RAM, storage, and cooling solutions.
While selecting a motherboard for a gaming PC, consider the following factors:
- Socket type: The motherboard’s socket type should be compatible with the CPU you want to use. For example, if you are going to use an Intel Core i7, you will need an LGA 1151 socket motherboard.
- Form factor: The commonly used form factor for a gaming PC motherboard is ATX, but Micro-ATX and Mini-ITX motherboards are also available.
- RAM compatibility: Ensure that the motherboard is compatible with the type and capacity of RAM that you want to use.
- Expansion slots: If you want to use multiple graphics cards or other expansion cards at present or in the future, be sure that the motherboard should have enough expansion slots to accommodate them.
- BIOS: Consider a motherboard that has a BIOS that supports overclocking. It can be capable of boosting the performance of your gaming PC.
Make sure the motherboard should be future-proof so that you don’t have to spend extra dollars to change it rapidly. A good motherboard costs from $120 to $300.
CPU (Central Processing Unit)
To build a gaming PC, the CPU (Central Processing Unit) is one of the essential components to consider. It determines the overall performance and capabilities of the whole system. A high-quality and power-efficient CPU provides an excellent performance level.
Two main brands of CPUs are in power nowadays: Intel and AMD. Both brands have released a wide range of CPUs at different specs, features, and price points, with varying levels of performance and power efficiency.
Intel Core i9-11900K, with a base clock speed of 3.5GHz and 16 cores and 32 threads, provides high-quality performance for gaming and other demanding tasks. AMD Ryzen 9 5900X with 12 cores and 24 threads is also a viable option for high-end gaming.
If you want to buy a cost-effective CPU for gaming and multitasking as well, then you can consider the Intel Core i5-11600K and AMD Ryzen 5 5600X, the more affordable options with 6 cores and 12 threads.
Ultimately, the cost of building a gaming PC depends on your budget and requirements. The average to high-end CPUs come between the price points of $200 to $900
GPU ( Graphics Card)
A graphics card is vital in rendering images and scenes in fast-paced and first-person shooter games without input lag. It provides you with immersive gameplay and controls choppy frame rates. Just select a good combo of CPU and GPU.
Nividia and Ryzen both have manufactured top-of-the-line graphics cards on a regular basis. Nvidia GeForce RTX 3080 and the AMD Radeon RX 6800 XT are both high-end GPUs. Both of these GPUs support ray tracing and offer excellent gaming performance without tearing and stuttering,
If you want to look for affordable options, you can go for Nvidia’s older versions, RTX 2060, 2080, and 2090. if you select a good combo of CPU and GTX 1650. However, the price may vary for different brands and models. You can get a quality GPU between $300 to $1500.
RAM (Random Access Memory)
RAM (Random Access Memory) is also an essential component of a gaming PC because it plays a vital role in overall performance. In general, the more RAM, the greater the performance will be.
For smooth gameplay, 8GB RAM is the beginner’s level. However, 16 GB or more RAM is recommended for playing high-end AAA titles at optimal settings. The RAM is also important for storing and retrieving data quickly.
One more important thing about RAM is its type: DDR3 and DDR4. It’s recommended to select DDR4 because it offers faster speed and lower power consumption than DDR3. RAM costs $30 to $100.
Storage
PC storage is of two types solid-state drive (SSD) and hard disk drive (HDD). You can choose just a single one or a combo of both for the best storage.
An SSD is a faster storage that uses flash memory to store data. It reads and writes faster and boots the system quickly within no loading time. On the other hand, the HDD is a traditional, average-speed storage that stores data on a rotating disc. Despite this fact, it’s best for storing large files, movies, and games as well. It is also less expensive than SSD. The recommended SSD storage should be between 256GB to 512 GB, and HDD should be 1TB or more. It costs between $30 to $100.
Power Supply Unit (PSU)
a high-quality power supply unit for a gaming PC should be effective, reliable, and have enough power output to handle the demands of your system, with a minimum of 600 watts. Choose an 80-plus certified PSU from a well-reputed brand.
A power supply with a minimum 80 Plus Bronze certification proves that it is at least 82% efficient. A PSU with 80 Plus Gold or Platinum certification proves that it is at least 87% and 90% efficient, respectively, and will be much better for your gaming PC.
Conclusion
In this ultimate guide, we have broken down the specifications, characteristics, and expected price points of all essential parts of the PC. After reading this, you will be capable of selecting the right components according to your requirements and budget. Now you are well aware of how much it costs to build a gaming PC. The prices fluctuate on a daily basis, so it’s a rough estimation to give you awareness about the prices. Select your favourite components and search for their exact prices for the final decision.
