Are you thinking about constructing your own computer? Do you need an estimate of the PC-building costs? In this guide, we’ll go over the different expenses related to constructing your own PC to help you get an idea of how much money you’ll need to invest.
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How Much Is A PC?
There are wide price differences between PCs. With used parts, a basic PC for everyday use can sometimes be put together for as little as $300. As you raise the specifications of a PC, the cost starts to rise. You could save money on a GPU you might not need if you used the integrated graphics of an APU or CPU, but doing so could result in trade-offs.
The graphics card is the most costly component of the computer. The cost of a GPU can vary, with less recent or powerful models being significantly less expensive. The cost increases as you need more power, just like with anything PC-related. Therefore, a more expensive graphics card will be needed if you want to play the newest games in 4K.
Does Custom Computer Building Cost Less?
Yes, financially; no, in terms of time. If you choose all the components and construct the PC yourself, you’ll save money. You can be more selective with the components you purchase, which will make it simpler to stick to a budget, not only because you’re removing the overhead associated with a company assembling and supporting the system for you.
Purchasing a prebuilt computer from a company like MAINGEAR has a number of advantages over building your own computers, despite all their advantages. You won’t ever need to use a screwdriver, the entire process is hands-off, and a support team will be available to you for your PC.
You could choose the parts on the company’s website in an hour or two, and then you’ll get an estimated build or delivery date, as opposed to days or even weeks of research and PC construction. Additionally, you’ll typically pay more for that service.
How Much Does A Typical PC Build Cost?
Let’s talk about the price ranges one would have typically anticipated for building a PC before 2020 before delving too deeply into contemporary issues.
Prior to 2020, it was surprisingly easy to get a mid-high range gaming or productivity PC for under $1000. There was plenty of money left over to pay for the rest of the system’s components because 1080p gaming GPUs and productivity machines with rendering capabilities were easily accessible for under $300.
Because of this, balancing a PC build or concentrating on one strength over others became much simpler.
You could decide to prioritize storage or memory capacity while making minor concessions and still achieving your performance objectives.
I hope to revisit this piece in the future and update it to reflect a market that is more stable and unaffected by rampant scalping, chip shortages, and cryptocurrency mining. Unfortunately, today isn’t that day, so let’s talk about what we’re up against.
How Much Does A Gaming Computer Cost To Build?
The price of a gaming PC depends on your personal budget and the demands of the games you plan to play, just like any other PC or laptop. Costs range from $300 to $2000, and many people prefer to stay in the happy in-between at about $700 to $1,000. There is a gaming PC for everyone, regardless of your financial situation or desire for the best hardware. For a more thorough explanation of pricing tiers, see our guide on “How to Build a Gaming PC.”
You should typically anticipate spending about 50% of your budget on the graphics card if you’re looking to build a midrange or higher system. Don’t worry about concentrating your budget on this item because the GPU is the most expensive component of a gaming PC. The CPU has the potential to increase PC build costs, but as was already mentioned, this largely depends on your gaming needs. As older generation chips are still quite good for gaming, you could save money there and allocate more money for the graphics card.
Finding a balance between your components can sometimes be the best option, but it’s important to remember that other, overlooked areas could significantly increase the cost of the project as a whole. Nowadays, RAM kits are reasonably priced, and you should probably look to include 16GB of quick RAM with your PC to get the most out of it. Although purchasing an SSD should be your main priority, storage may appear to be an area where you can save money. A small-capacity SSD may seem like a good idea, but they can fill up quickly, with some modern games using more than 100GB.
How much does it cost to build a gaming computer then? It obviously varies, but ultimately it depends on the capabilities of the build you have in mind. It is likely that you will need to spend a significant sum of money ($1,500+) in order to play the newest games at their highest settings and resolutions. The fortunate ones don’t have to spend nearly as much because low- to mid-tier systems can support 144+ FPS in 1080p, which is perfect for competitive esports enthusiasts who demand high frames in their preferred shooters.
What Does It Cost To Build A PC Today?
Well, the bright side is that $1000 is still enough for a PC…except it’s now closer to low or mid-range because of the dramatic increase we’ve seen in GPU pricing.
GPU prices on eBay range from 1.5 to 3.5 times the MSRP. Image credit: eBay
Unless you’re lucky enough to snatch a GPU the moment it becomes available at MSRP (and GPUs being sold even initially at MSRP are still quite rare, essentially only possible if buying directly from a manufacturer), you’ll be subjected to a price markup of anywhere from 1.5x to 3.5x MSRP.
Yes, that is really bad. For these machines, graphics cards were already the component on which users spent the most money, and now their price has increased.
Despite the fact that they are also impacted by the shortages, the majority of other components’ prices have largely returned to normal as of the time of writing.
There is one key way to cut down on the cost of building a PC today, and that involves perusing the used market to find a graphics card that meets your needs at a more reasonable price.
By using this method, you’re still unlikely to find cards for MSRP, but you should at least be able to negotiate better prices with other users than with those who are snatching up brand-new graphics cards at astronomical prices.
Even if you can get a good GPU for less than scalped prices, you should still expect to spend around $1500-2000 for a high-end working or gaming machine.
How Challenging Is It To Construct A Gaming Computer?
It’s not that difficult to make mistakes if you follow the directions and build in a secure environment: everything has a set place. For example, you won’t inadvertently insert your GPU into your CPU slot. Consult your motherboard manual and the manual for the component you’re trying to install if you’re ever unsure when building. Usually, this will make everything clear and aid in your completion.
Beginners typically find the initial stages of the process to be the most challenging because they frequently run into compatibility problems, but there is now a wealth of online resources available to guide you through it. We have put together a how-to build a gaming PC guide that will walk you through compatibility issues and provide detailed step-by-step instructions to guide you through the procedure.
How Long Does It Take To Assemble A PC?
It could take up to two or three hours the first time. It can be completed in as little as an hour with assistance or experience, especially after you have gained extensive knowledge. The process can be significantly sped up if you take the time to prepare in advance by watching videos and reading your manuals.
Some situations have the potential to prolong the duration overall. The overall build process might not be ideal if you purchase a subpar PC case. Cable management can be extremely difficult with a poor PC case, which can increase build times. Even seasoned builders occasionally experience minor headaches due to the fact that CPU coolers can vary from brand to brand. Although the instructions are frequently straightforward, coolers like AIO’s have a few extra steps, which again requires more time. Whatever happens, you should just take your time and enjoy the build because that’s what it’s all about.
Does Gameing PC Or Console Cost More Money?
Console gaming is typically much more affordable, but that doesn’t have to be the case. While you can generally get a good gaming experience for the same price when it comes to hardware, consoles now support 4K gaming, which is currently much more expensive on PC.
In PC gaming, you can find many other ways to save money. While the cost of the hardware can vary, or even go up if you choose high-end hardware, the games are much less expensive. You can purchase AAA titles for significantly less than $60 on the PC thanks to the numerous storefronts that are constantly running sales. Additionally, you save money on peripherals because gaming keyboards and mice are interchangeable regardless of brand.
Do I Need To Construct My Own PC?
It’s enjoyable, but you’re not required to. If you don’t feel comfortable doing it yourself, ask a nearby PC hardware store to help you. Usually, they’ll be eager to assist. You could also consider purchasing a custom prebuilt PC, which is something that most significant manufacturers sell.
Manufacturers of custom prebuilt computers will add a markup to the price of each computer they sell, obviously to cover labor costs. Therefore, by building your own gaming PC, you can typically save money and get more performance for your dollar. that being said, prebuilt computers often come with added benefits, such as software, testing, and warranties, so both options are more than acceptable.
So, Should You Build Or Buy A Gaming PC?
If you want more customization options and a better overall deal, build your own gaming PC. Have your system constructed by a business that specializes in doing that if none of that matters as much as the convenience and security that come with purchasing a prebuilt gaming PC. For some fantastic options, see our guide to the best custom PC builders.
Conclusion
Many factors affect how much it costs to build a computer. Since identical components are rarely used in two different computer builds, there isn’t a single solution.
You can build a computer for browsing the internet for as little as $300. The cost of building a gaming computer will vary greatly; for a budget build, $1,000 is a good place to start. All the way up to $4000 or more, anything in between can vary greatly. What you, the user, want will determine everything.
