How Much Does It Cost to Build A PC?

July 27, 2023

How much does it cost to build a PC? This question is especially relevant for those interested in PC gaming.

Building a good PC is often too expensive, but if you are on a budget, you can try to find affordable options. Keep reading to explore the average price for a Gaming PC and tips on finding cheap options.

The term ‘PC’ is frequently tossed around in conversations about modern technology, but what exactly does it mean? PC stands for Personal Computer, a multi-purpose electronic device used for various tasks, from word processing to Internet browsing and gaming.

This SEO-optimized article will delve into the history, evolution, components, and the various types of PCs to offer a comprehensive understanding of what a PC is.

What Does ‘PC’ Stand For?

‘PC’ is an acronym that stands for Personal Computer. These are general-purpose computers designed for individual use, as opposed to mainframes or supercomputers used for institutional purposes.

PCs are compact, affordable, and versatile, making them accessible for both personal and professional tasks.

Brief History of Personal Computers

The concept of a personal computer became popular in the late 1970s and early 1980s. Companies like IBM, Apple, and Microsoft played pivotal roles in the mass adoption of PCs.

The IBM PC, launched in 1981, was one of the first PCs that gained widespread commercial success, setting the stage for others to follow.

The Evolution of PCs

PCs have come a long way since their inception. The initial PCs were often large and not very user-friendly. Fast-forward to the present day, and PCs have become powerful, compact, and versatile devices. Advances in processors, storage, and software have turned PCs into indispensable tools for a range of applications.

Components of a PC

A standard PC comprises several key components, including:

Central Processing Unit (CPU): The brain of the computer that performs all the computations.
Motherboard: The main circuit board that connects all other components.
RAM: Random Access Memory, which stores temporary data for quick access.
Storage Drives: Hard Disk Drives (HDD) or Solid State Drives (SSD) for long-term data storage.
Graphics Processing Unit (GPU): Essential for rendering images and videos.
Power Supply Unit: Provides electrical power to the computer.
Input/Output Devices: Includes keyboard, mouse, monitor, and other peripherals.

Types of PCs

Desktops: Often larger, but more powerful and easier to upgrade.
Laptops: Portable and convenient but generally less powerful than desktops.
All-in-One: Combine the monitor and computer into a single unit.
Tablets: Extremely portable and run on mobile operating systems.
Workstations: High-performance PCs used for specialized applications.

Operating Systems for PCs

The most commonly used operating systems for PCs are Microsoft Windows, macOS, and Linux. Each has its advantages and disadvantages, depending on the user’s needs.

Applications of Personal Computers

PCs are versatile devices used for:

Word Processing: Document creation, editing, and formatting.
Internet Browsing: Access to the World Wide Web for information, entertainment, and social networking.
Gaming: From casual games to professional esports.
Multimedia: Video editing, music production, and graphic design.
Data Analysis: Crunching numbers and data visualization.
Programming: Writing and testing software codes.

How Much Do PCs Cost?

The costs of building your own computer can range dramatically. You should determine your purposes and total budget, with options ranging from a low-end to a high-end PC. The costs of building a high-end gaming PC can reach over $2,000, while simple components of PC hardware from pre-built computers can save you money and cost around $300.

To answer the question “How much does it cost to build a computer?” you need to understand whether you need a gaming PC to play modern games in 4K and are ready to invest in a building process or you want to save funds and buy used or older generation components at a reasonable price.

What Is the Average Price for a Gaming PC?

Prices of gaming PCs can significantly range the same as those of standard computers. When building a gaming pc, it is essential to consider the costs and your requirements for all the computer components.

The most expensive component of any gaming PC is a graphics card, which may take 50% of your total pc cost. However, you can still save on graphic cards by Buying older models, which are good options for most games.

If you are on a budget and looking for low-end or mid-range PC options, it may be necessary to define which components of the PC build are less critical for you and which require more money to invest. For example, you should not save on Random Access Memory (RAM) if you build your own PC to play games.

If you want to invest in high-end components, be prepared that your gaming PC cost will be from $1,500. However, if you want to have a budget build and using parts of a prebuilt PC suits you, you can spend only $700 on the whole PC.

While the cost of building a PC depends on various factors, the average price for a gaming PC is still high, and not everybody can afford it.

In such situations, applying for a 1,000 dollar loan with no credit check may be the right solution. Borrowing extra cash helps you to make the necessary purchase sooner, without saving for months.

The most significant advantage of this loan is that the lender pays attention only to your income and creditworthiness instead of your credit history.

What Components Do You Need to Build a Gaming PC?

Knowing the cost and usage of a graphics card and all the other components is crucial for a gaming PC build. Therefore, we have introduced different components for building your own gaming PC.

Graphics Card

Graphics cards, also known as GPUs, are the most expensive components of any gaming computer. They became especially expensive after the COVID-19 pandemic, which led to a global chip shortage and, consequently, to the lack of consumer graphics cards.

Although there are sufficient graphics cards, their prices will never be the same as earlier. Therefore, purchasing a decent GPU that will deliver solid performance can be financially problematic.

However, you can still save on buying a graphics card. For example, you can postpone purchasing dedicated graphics if you have a CPU with an integrated GPU.

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Central Processing Unit

A central processing unit (CPU), also known as a processor, is the heart of your PC, which is responsible for all the calculations and has no integrated graphics. How much does a CPU cost? It is complicated to name a specific figure, as prices range significantly. However, be prepared to pay from $100 to $900.

When building a computer, it is important to include on your budget a CPU cooler, which is generally located at the top of the CPU. A CPU cooler is a necessary part of any gaming PC since it keeps your CPU cool.

You can choose between the two types of CPU coolers: Air coolers and Liquid coolers, which generally have the same function but operate in different manners. A CPU cooler is a crucial component you should not save money on, as the cooling system significantly impacts the fractionation of your PC.

RAM

Random access memory (RAM), or PC memory, is an important element for every PC. It allows a computer to perform most of its everyday tasks, such as loading and running Apps, browsing the Internet, accessing files, etc.

One of the most important factors when buying RAM is considering the amount of necessary RAM slots.

If your daily tasks include design, gaming, or video editing, having more RAM is essential for you, as it significantly affects the speed and quality of your work.

Monitor

The choice of a gaming monitor depends on your purposes and preferences. If you are building a gaming PC, it is better to consider bigger monitors of around 27 inches. Pay also attention to the resolution, which should be no less than 1920×1080 (Full HD). Most users choose monitors with refresh rates of 60 Hz, but you may need the higher ones.

How much does a monitor cost? The monitors’ prices range significantly, so while you can buy them for an average of $200-$300, the most expensive monitor, the Sony TRIMASTER HX Professional Master Monitor, costs more than $33,000.

Power Supply Unit

A power supply is a component for a PC you can save funds on. Power supplies generally cost from $30 and are generally up to $100, so you can afford a mid-range option without any problems. The most important thing to buy a power supply is to ensure you purchase enough power for your build.

Storage

When building a gaming PC, it is important to invest in a high-capacity SSD to have enough space to store your games, music, applications, and other files. We recommend buying an SSD for at least 128 GB.

Motherboard

A motherboard is an essential element that allows other PC components to function. The excellent News is that a motherboard cost is lower than expenses for other PC elements.

It allows you to save money, as expensive motherboards don’t differ significantly from cheaper options. Therefore, choosing a mid-range motherboard will be an excellent solution.

Operating System

If you decide to build a computer instead of buying a prebuilt system, it is important to include the cost of the operating system in your budget.

Depending on your planned expenses, you can choose between Windows or Linux, where the second option is a cheaper one. Alternatively, you can transfer the Microsoft Windows license from your old PC to a new one.

Computer Case

Buying a PC case is one of your most important steps. It provides various features, such as cable management, dust filters, etc.

You can find a computer case for any budget, from low-end options, where a pc case cost starts from $40, to high-end ones, where you can pay over $100.

Prebuilt Gaming PC Vs. Custom Built Gaming PC?

If you still don’t know whether you should invest in a custom computer or whether it is enough to buy a pre-built gaming PC, here you can see all the pros and cons of the two options.

Prebuilt PC Pros

Prebuilt PCs are generally a more straightforward option than custom-built ones. Here you can see the main advantages of this option:

Available for any budget;
You don’t need to spend time to build a gaming PC;
You don’t need to look for components and calculate your expenses.

Prebuilt PC Cons

Despite its advantages, building your own gaming PC does not suit everyone because of the following factors:

Often it is a more expensive option;
Worse components for the same price as a custom-built PC.

Custom PC Pros

While it is a more complicated option that requires significant time and effort, customer-built gaming PCs still have numerous advantages over prebuilt ones.

The opportunity to select the best components for PC gaming;
Lower costs are than for prebuilt computers;
The chance to build a great gaming PC using your knowledge in this field.

Custom PC Cons

Building a PC is an excellent option for saving money, but it is not for everyone. Take into account all its drawbacks to understand the entire process better.

More time is required, as you need to search for the necessary components;
Possible incompatibility of components.