Gone are the days when a high-performance gaming PC Costs you an arm and a leg. Thanks to advancements in technology and increased competition in the market, there is a wide range of gaming PCs available at various price points for gaming going on a tight budget, catering to different price ranges and gaming needs.
How Much Is A PC?
When building a PC, your budget tends to be categorized into three different areas: Budget Gaming PCs, Mid-Range, and High-End Gaming PCs. Whether you are a casual gamer or a hardcore enthusiast, there is a gaming PC out there that can provide plenty of power while fitting your requirements to play your favourite games without emptying your wallet.
Rise in the Prices of Gaming Setups
Gaming PCs have become increasingly popular in recent years, with more and more people embracing the immersive and high-performance gaming experience they offer. However, building your dream gaming PC from scratch can be a complex and time-consuming process, not to mention the potential for costly mistakes. That’s where prebuilt gaming PCs come in – they provide an affordable option and hassle-free solution for gamers who want a powerful gaming rig without the hassle of building it themselves.
A few years ago, a budget pre-built PC would have been closer to $450 or $500 which can provide a decent level of performance in gaming, but with inflation and raw material price increases, more expenditure is inevitable.
How much does it cost to make a gaming PC?
The price of a gaming desktop, like any other PC or gaming laptop, is determined by your own budget and game requirements. It can range from $300 to $2000, with many individuals with a budget of $700-$1000 more inviting. However, there is a gaming PC for everyone, whether you are on a tight budget or an enthusiast looking for the best of the best.
| PC Build Category | Expected Price Range | Expected Processor for the Build |
| Budget Build | $600-$850 | Intel Core i3 – 12100FAMD Ryzen 5 5600G |
| Mid-Range Build | $1000-$2000 | Intel Core i5 – 13600KAMD Ryzen 5 7600X |
| Enthusiast/Extreme Build | $2000+ | AMD Ryzen 7 7800X3DAMD Ryzen 9 7950X3DIntel Core i9-13900K |
However, Price ranges for various CPUs can fluctuate based on current market prices and demands. Therefore it is important to look for the best deals when purchasing a PC.
A cheap gaming build should have an Intel CPU Core i3 or AMD Ryzen 3 CPU. These CPU options (particularly Intel’s latest 12th Gen series) are quite powerful. The key goal with a CPU is to buy one that avoids causing a bottleneck with your GPU while being as cheap as possible – this cheap gaming build will leave as much money available for the rest of your components as feasible. The average cost you can expect for this PC is between $600 and $800. This cheap gaming build 1080p-oriented gaming PC setup in this price range will provide quite a decent gaming experience.
The CPU for a Mid – Range system should be either an Intel core i5 or a Ryzen 5 processor. A Ryzen 7 or Intel Core I7 tier CPU is a worthwhile upgrade for people wishing to use their gaming rig for other activities such as video editing or rendering. A budget of $1000 – $2000 will allow you to include WiFi in your design, a built-in IO shield, a USB C, lots of fans, and RGB Lighting across chosen components.
for high-end gaming extremists, we suggest spending at least $2000. Buyers at this level can push their machines to achieve the highest performance possible. Here, you have the luxury of not having to compromise top-tier characteristics, as the number of sacrifices in the part selection process is much decreased. These projects will have the most features, the best cooling, and will almost certainly look the best. However, depending on what you intend to accomplish with your build, purchasing a high-end system may not be essential.
Prices of Various Gaming Components
CPU
| Build | CPU(Recommended) | Price |
| Budget | Intel Core i3 – 13100F | $118 |
| Mid – Range | Intel Core i5 – 13400F Intel Core i5 – 13600KF | $206 $289 |
| Extreme | AMD Ryzen 7 – 7800X3D AMD Ryzen 9 – 7900X3D | $439 $629 |
Motherboards
| Build | Motherboards(Recommended) | Price |
| Budget | MSI PRO B760M – P | $99 |
| Mid – Range | AsRock B760M – HDV GIGABYTE 2790 UD AX | $109 $179 |
| Extreme | ASUS PRIME B650M – A – AX ASUS ROG STRIX X670E – E | $179 $484 |
GPU(Graphics Card)
| Build | GPU(Recommended) | Price |
| Budget | Radeon RX 7600 Intel Arc A380 | $99 $109 |
| Mid | RTX 4060 Ti NVIDIA RTX 4070 | $381 $599 |
| Extreme | Radeon 7900 XT NVIDIA RTX 4090 | $769 $1689 |
RAM
| Build | RAM(Recommended) | Price |
| Budget | Silicon Power Value Gaming DDR4 RAM 16GB 3.2GHz | $29 |
| Mid – Range | Crucial RAM 32GB Kit(2*16GB) DDR4 3200 Teamgroup T-Force Vulcan DDR5 32GB(2*16GB) | $56 $79 |
| Extreme | G SKILL TRIDENT T – Force Vulcan DDR5 32GB(2*16GB) | $102 |
Solid-State Drives(SSD)
| Build | SSD(Recommended) | Price |
| Budget | WD SN 570(1TB) WD Blue SN570(1TB) | $44 $45 |
| Mid – Range | Silicon Power UD90(2 TB PCIe SSD) SK Hynx Platinum P41(2TB PCIe SSD) | $78 $135 |
| Extreme | Samsung 990 Pro(2 TB PCle SSD) WD Black SN850X (4 TB PCIe SSD) | $164 $283 |
PSU(Power Supply Unit)
| Build | PSU(Recommended) | Price |
| Budget | Thermaltake Smart Series 50W Thermaltake Smart 700W | $39 $54 |
| Mid – Range | Corsair CX 750M | $89 |
| Extreme | Corsair RM750e Corsair HX 1000 | $99 $179 |
PC Case
| Build | PC Case(Recommended) | Price |
| Budget | Thermaltake Versa H18 Thermaltake S100 | $44 $68 |
| Mid – Range | Phanteks Eclipse P300A Phanteks Eclipse P360A | $69 $89 |
| Extreme | Luan Li Lancool 216 Luan Li Lancool III RGB Cooler Master TD300 | $104 $144 $129 |
PC Air Cooler
| Build | Cooler(Recommended) | Price |
| Budget | Not Available | – |
| Mid – Range | ID-Cooling Frostflow 280mm | $59 |
| Extreme | Deepcool LT 720 | $139 |
Pre-Built Vs Custom Built Gaming PCs
Pre-built Gaming PCs
Pros
- Convenience: It is ready to use right out of the box.
- Technical Support: Manufacturer warranties and customer service are usually included.
- Time-Saving: eliminating the need to research and assemble components.
- Compatibility: Components have already been selected for maximum performance.
- Aesthetics: Many pre-assembled PCs have visually pleasing designs.
Cons
- Limited Customization: Limited choice in components and brands.
- Price Markup: Pre-built systems often cost more due to assembly and branding.
- Upgradability: Limited expansion options depending on the case and motherboard.
- Bloatware: Some pre-built systems come with unnecessary software.
Custom Built Gaming PCs
Pros
- Complete Customization: Select components depending on your tastes and requirements.
- Cost Efficiency: The ability to save money by picking low-cost components.
- Upgradability: Individual parts can be easily upgraded for improved performance.
- Quality Control: Assemble components by hand to ensure proper installation.
- Opportunity for Learning: Learn about PC hardware and assembly.
Software and Peripheral Hardware Costs
Operating System
Windows will give the most overall compatibility and support, but you can also use Linux. Linux may deliver an excellent gaming experience and is gaining popularity. We propose Linux Mint if you want to save money by using Linux.
You just need to purchase Windows if you don’t already have a copy, and if you’re planning on purchasing a prebuilt system, don’t worry; they normally come with the latest version of Windows or Linux pre-installed.
Recommended Best Budget-Friendly Gaming Accessories and Essentials for Your PC
Gaming Monitor – ViewSonic XG2431 ($259):
Experience fluid gameplay with the ViewSonic XG2431. Its 23.6″ Full HD display, 165 Hz refresh rate, and 1ms response time offer smooth visuals. Adaptive Sync technology reduces screen tearing. Perfect for budget-conscious gamers seeking a competitive edge without compromising on performance.
Gaming Keyboard – Corsair K60 RGB Pro Low Profile Gaming Mechanical Keyboard ($59):
The Corsair K60 RGB Pro boasts low-profile mechanical switches for quicker response and precise control. Dynamic RGB backlighting adds flair. The durable design and customizable keycaps make it ideal for gamers who demand both speed and comfort.
Gaming Mouse – Razer DeathAdder Essential Ergonomic Wired Gaming Mouse ($45):
Elevate accuracy with the Razer DeathAdder Essential. Its ergonomic design provides comfort during long sessions. Featuring a 6,400 DPI optical sensor, it ensures precise tracking. Programmable buttons and durability round out a wallet-friendly gaming companion.
Gaming Microphone – Logitech G733 Lightspeed Wireless Gaming Headset ($140):
The Logitech G733 headset offers wireless freedom and exceptional audio quality. With Lightspeed technology and Blue VO!CE filters and clear communication reigns. Comfortable, customizable, and immersive, this headset is a solid investment for gamers and content creators alike.
What are the cost-saving methods if you’re onto buying a new pc?
1. Select a Low-Cost Motherboard: Select a motherboard with basic functions and compatibility with your components. If you don’t need all of the bells and whistles, skip the expensive options.
2. Buy a Used CPU or GPU: Consider purchasing a gently used or previous-generation CPU or GPU. These components frequently offer substantial cost savings while still providing excellent performance for gaming and everyday workloads.
3. Explore Budget-Friendly Storage Options: Choose a combination of SSD and HDD storage. Prioritize an SSD for your operating system and frequently used applications, and opt for a larger but budget-friendly HDD for additional storage needs.
4. Function over Aesthetics: Prioritize components based on performance and functionality rather than aesthetics. Fancy RGB lighting or premium design elements can inflate costs without adding substantial value to performance.
