If you don’t exactly consider yourself a tech-savvy individual, you’re most likely wondering how much a PC costs these days. If you just need a simple office setup for regular day-to-day tasks, the question is not really that complicated to answer for your intended usage example. If, however, you’re a gamer, the question is very much on point and the answer might be quite complicated!

After all, every penny you invest will not only impact your gaming experience but also give you an edge in multiplayer showdowns in the video game you happen to be playing.

As a matter of fact, some gamers take their craft so seriously that they even consider building their custom PC, assembling individual hardware components from scratch. The reason is that building a custom PC gives you the flexibility to focus on maxing out exactly those specifications that are important to you on a personal level, and also align with your budget spend to more closely match your needs.

So without any further ado, let’s answer the question “How much does a PC cost?” by taking a closer look at everything that goes into the buying decision.

From entry-level to high-end: the different pricing tiers of a gaming PC

For practical purposes and to give you a rough idea of how much a gaming PC will cost you, we’ll break things down into different pricing tiers.

Entry-level gaming PCs

$400 ~ $800

Typically you’ll be spending at least $400 and possibly up to $800 (there is no official definition or consensus on what entry-level really means). Generally speaking, these PCs should have enough muscle to run your favorite games decently at low-performance settings. A typical budget-friendly PC should have anything between 8GB and 16GB of RAM, come equipped with an SSD to boost loading times and run video output at 1080p. Anything lower than that and it might not be suitable for a modern gamer’s needs.

Mid-range gaming PCs

$800 ~ $1500

Although the exact price range is up for debate, typically, mid-range gaming PCs start at $800 and go up to $1500. This price range is the ideal option to strike a balance between price and performance. PCs of this caliber should be strong enough to run your favorite games at medium-performance settings. In this price range, 16GB of RAM is pretty much standard, and so is an SSD. A mid-range PC should be able to handle 1440p video output without hiccups. Unlike budget-priced PCs, their mid-range counterparts offer some stability for the future as the hardware won’t become redundant too soon.

High-end gaming PCs

$1500 ~ 3000

If you’re interested in running a 4K resolution display or VR content, high-end gaming PCs are the way to go. Expect to spend anywhere between $1500 and $3000 for one of these. The latest models are likely to have 32GB of RAM, a powerful GPU and the top-of-the-line SSDs. A machine like this will allow you to run your favorite games at max performance settings, allowing you to experience smooth textures, hyper-focused details and virtually zero lag.

Extremely specced-out PCs

$3000 ~

In case you’re looking for the best of the best and money isn’t an issue, you can even go beyond the high-end PCs and shell out $3000+ to get one of these. It’s not unusual for PCs like these to run multiple graphics cards at the same time. The question is whether the difference in price truly justifies what you actually get out of these in terms of hardware performance, as they are certainly not what you’d call ‘budget-friendly’. Moreover, they may be rare to find due to component shortages, market fluctuations etc.

Components, peripherals, and accessories you’ll need for a good custom PC build

If you have the tech skills to back up your decision, go for it! Whether you’re building a budget-friendly rig or an absolute gaming powerhouse, you’ll need to piece together the following hardware components:

CPU

A Central Processing Unit (or CPU for short) is the primary component responsible for your computer’s computational needs. If you’re building a modern PC, look for a 12th-generation i5 or i7 CPU. If you’re looking for a budget-friendly alternative, look for no less than a CPU with 4 cores (this will make it suitable for multi-tasking). In the mid-range, aim for 6 cores or more (this is where we enter the 1080p resolution territory with a smooth experience). For high resolutions akin to 1440p or 4K, a CPU with 8 cores is pretty much a must-have.

Motherboard

The motherboard is like the central base of operations for your PC. It acts as a communication center between all the rest of the hardware parts. As is true for any other PC components, there are several pricing tiers available, ranging from budget-level to high-end. These days, even the entry-level units tend to have integrated graphics, which should suffice for playing some older games. If your objective is to play the latest titles, however, it’s probably best to aim for the mid-tier in this department. If you want to go high-end, you will be blessed with additional storage ports and faster connectivity. It’s also going to make your PC more future-proof and compatible with anything that gets released in the future.

GPU

It probably goes without saying that you shouldn’t cheap out on your Graphics Processing Unit (GPU) if you’re a gamer. It’s not only about crystal clear display but also about keeping the lag to the minimum. In other words, if you aren’t willing to fork over a sizeable chunk of change for your graphics card, none of your other efforts are likely to pay off - that’s how important this piece of hardware tends to be in the gaming world. Anything below mid-tier is not really an option if you consider yourself a gamer; at this price point, your graphics card should handle 1080p resolution smoothly. If your goal is to run your games at 1440p or 4K, you’re going to need a high-end graphics card.

A word on integrated graphics

If you’re the budget-conscious type, the word ‘integrated graphics’ might seem appealing to you. While yes, these will probably suffice for office tasks and typical day-to-day browsing, forget about running any newer games on this. As a gamer, you’re going to need a dedicated standalone graphics card.

RAM

Random Access Memory (or RAM for short) is the unit responsible for quick access to bits and pieces of data that need to be readily available at hand. This avoids having to dig through the contents of your hard drive every time there is data to be fetched. Generally speaking, RAM is so affordable these days that there is no reason to go below 16GB, ideally 32GB. By spending a bit more in this department, you will also make sure that your PC will last you for years to come. Note: make sure to purchase the right type of RAM for your motherboard (DDR4 is the name of the game right now).

Storage

Game files tend to be quite colossal these days, so it makes sense to splurge a bit more on a hard drive that can accommodate the need. Otherwise, you’ll find yourself installing and uninstalling games all the time, which can be a hassle. Also, investing in a newer SSD-type hard drive will also make your loading times faster and thus more bearable. Go for a high-quality name brand, as the last thing that you want to see happen is experiencing a loss of data due to your hard drive breaking down. Compared to old-school HDDs, SSDs tend to be more expensive, but not substantially so, meaning they’re well worth the extra buck.

Cases

If you’re going to be spending all this money on expensive hardware components, the only reasonable thing to do is to give them a proper home. This will protect them from getting damaged - plus, it will keep individual hardware components in your PC from overheating. If you’re going to cheap out in any particular area of your PC build, the case is probably where you should do it without any significant drawbacks. However, don’t go for the cheapest of the cheap, because you still want an ergonomically designed case with good airflow pathways. Also, make sure the case you end up choosing has ample internal space for housing every single one of your components. If you decide to spend a bit more, the difference mostly comes down to aesthetics (fancy RGB lighting and such).

PSU

Your Power Supply Unit (PSU) is what delivers stable power to your system, including your CPU and GPU. Since they are relatively inexpensive, it doesn’t make too much sense to go cheap here. Also, going for the cheapest of the cheap means subjecting your PC components to voltage fluctuations, and from a risk/reward perspective, that simply doesn’t make any sense. Go for at least a mid-tier PSU - these are also likely to have at least a basic level of surge protection.

Cooling system

A good cooling system will keep your hardware from overheating even if you’re running your games at high settings. Not only will it prevent your PC from randomly shutting down in the heat of the action, but also prevent any potential damage. If you’ve spent a bunch of money on other components, it absolutely makes sense to spend something on a good cooling system as well.

The monitor

If you’re into competitive gaming, whether you prefer a curved monitor vs flat is a matter of personal opinion, but know that how much you spend on one matters at least as much as spending on any other vital PC hardware component. How much you’ll end up paying for one depends on its:

• Size

• Resolution

• Refresh rate

• Additional features (G-Sync or FreeSync)

Nowadays, you shouldn’t aim for a resolution lower than 1080p. The good news is, you can get a suitable monitor for as little as $100 these days, but it might be worth moving up to the $300 pricing tier if you’re a competitive gamer who aspires to create every advantage possible for oneself, whether it be through:

• Reducing lag

• Increasing visibility

• Boosting performance performance

Note that bumping things up to the $300 to $600 range will get your foot in the door of 1440p and 4K visuals. While there are monitors worth $1000 and more, keep in mind there will be diminishing returns the more you spend. In other words, the difference between a monitor that’s worth $100 and one that’s worth $300 will probably be greater than the difference between a $300 and $1000 monitor.

Keyboard, mouse, and headset

While not a must to overspend on, it’s mostly a matter of comfort. You can spend as little as $10 on these peripherals or you can go as high as a couple of $100 for higher-end models. The benefits you’ll get from doing so range all the way from aesthetics to comfort, response times, and macros. A high-quality headset means higher audio fidelity, but you can also choose not to have one and invest in a good speaker combo instead. Make sure to get at least a basic-level microphone if you’re into multiplayer games.

The desk

Truth be told, hardware components tend to get all the spotlight, while your chair and desk that you’re using often don’t get the attention they deserve. But the truth is, they play an equal role in creating the ultimate gaming experience you’ve always longed for, so ignore this at your own peril. At the end of the day, you want to do what you can to prevent fatigue and discomfort, so consider getting a desk that can accommodate your PC and accessories without it feeling cramped. Depending on what kind of desk you want, the prices can range anywhere from $100 to $500. If you do decide to spend more, it’s a good way to get access to extra features such as:

• Adjustable height

• RGB lighting

• Cable management systems

• Extra storage

• Improved ergonomics

Pro tip: LiftSync Shelfy gives you plenty of space for your keyboard, mouse, monitor, and other gaming essentials. It also comes with a dimmable LED system and adjustable illumination. Dimensions: 48"×24”. Oh, and let’s not forget you can adjust its height at will, meaning it can serve both as a standing desk as well a classic computer desk.

Other accessories

You need to ask yourself this: what are you looking for in a gaming setup? Are there any ways you can make your experience more comfortable and fulfilling? Depending on your needs, you might want to consider additional shelves, plants, a printer, monitors, or even replace your keyboard with a controller. Once again, it all depends on the space you have available, what kinds of games you prefer to play, and if you also want your gaming setup to double as a work-from-home office.

Pro tip: LiftSync Monitor Arm was designed to help you fit all the monitors you could ever possibly need in a confined space, even if you have a small desk. Not only is it durable and built to last, it’s also compatible with a wide range of devices.

Conclusion

Designing your ultimate gaming or work-from-home space is one of the finest joys in life. After all, it’s where you get to experience some ‘me’ time, kick back and relax. It can also help with your creativity. And, if you’re a gamer, investing in a solid gaming rig is a no-brainer decision. But how much does a PC cost? This entirely depends on what you’re expecting to get from it. If you’re into older games from the 90’s or regular browsing and office work, any PC will probably do. On the other hand, expect to be willing to shell out a bare minimum of $500 for a budget-priced gaming PC if you’re into any of the newer titles.

FAQs

How much does a PC cost for gaming purposes?

Anything in the range of $500 and $3000.

What’s the most expensive component of a gaming PC?

The GPU (higher-end models can cost upwards of $1000).

Should you go for a pre-built PC or build your own?

This depends on your tech-savviness and needs. Building your own PC allows for more customization and fine-tuning, while pre-built PCs are turn-key solutions that even come with a warranty. If your needs are specific, you could put together a cost-efficient build.

What are the long-term considerations of determining your budget for a PC?

Generally speaking, you want to aim for something that won’t become obsolete just a few years down the line, so at least a medium-tier gaming PC will serve you well. Furthermore, custom-built PCs lend themselves nicely to upgradability. As a general rule of thumb, it’s better to spend more initially compared to having to replace your PC every couple of years. Also, bear in mind that newer operating systems tend to come with minimum hardware requirements, which is another thing to keep in mind.