To figure out how much a gaming PC costs, you must understand what affects the price. The components you choose, such as the CPU, GPU, and storage drives, really impact the final bill.
However, delving into the realm of gaming PC construction reveals a wide range of choices that can affect both performance and cost. Exploring budgeting nuances and cost-effective options can help in navigating the process of building a gaming PC without overspending.
When putting together a gaming PC, it's vital to understand the breakdown of costs for key components like the CPU, GPU, RAM, and motherboard. Processors tailored for gaming PCs can range from £100 to £350 or more, depending on the desired performance level.
Graphics cards, a crucial element for gaming, vary in price from £250 for entry-level options to £500 and above for top-tier models.
The cost of RAM is flexible, ranging from £15 for 8GB to £60 for 32GB, catering to different budget levels.
Motherboards, which connect all components, can range from £50 for basic models to £200 and beyond for high-end, feature-rich options.
Striking a balance in these expenses is crucial, with approximately half of the budget typically allocated to the graphics card for optimal gaming performance.
Factors Affecting Gaming PC Build Cost
When it comes to building a gaming PC, the cost can vary depending on several key factors. These factors include:
Choice of CPU and GPU: Opting for high-end processors and graphics cards can significantly increase the overall cost due to their impact on gaming performance.
RAM and Storage Selection: Opting for higher RAM capacity and faster storage options, like SSDs, can add to the total cost but can enhance loading times and system responsiveness.
Efficiency of the Power Supply Unit: Investing in a quality power supply unit with higher efficiency ratings may have a higher upfront cost but can result in long-term savings on electricity bills and provide stable power delivery to components.
Budgeting Tips for Building a Gaming PC
When building a gaming PC on a budget, it's crucial to allocate your funds wisely to get the best performance. Focus on investing around 50% of your budget on the graphics card, as it plays a vital role in gaming performance.
Additionally, prioritise quality components like a high-performance CPU, GPU, 16GB of fast RAM, and an SSD to enhance your gaming experience.
Dr IT Services - Computer Repair, Laptop Repair & Data Recovery
I contacted Vlad after my son fried my laptop by using his powerful charger in my less powerful laptop. I was very anxious.He was very responsive when I made initial contact and I was above to drop my laptop off that morning.The service was supremely… More professional and very quick. I even brought my son's laptop (which was broken and that is why he was using mine) to be fixed too.I was given clear prices and expectations for how long the repairs would take. Both repairs were completed very quicker and exceeded expectations.I would highly recommend Vlad.
Vlad is exceptional in IT related field.He saved my data, it was like saving my life literally. At Dr IT services you can assured of a solution for your IT related problems, you can simply close your eyes and can trust him, guy is a genius, I be will… More working with him on several other projects once I am settled in. Thank you Dr IT services5/5 .Merry Christmas Vlad..cheers see you around!
Highly recommend.I contacted Vlad as my laptop wasn’t working. (Would not power up). I dropped it off to him in the morning. Then later that day he was able to diagnose the fault and put forward a plan to resolve.Unfortunately it was not economical to… More repair, but he was able to source the perfect replacement for my budget. Which I couldn't be more happy with. For a small fee he was able to transfer all my data over to the new device.All turned around in a few days.The service was fast, friendly and had great communication. I would highly recommend to anybody who needs their devices repairing.Thanks Vlad.
Exceptional service!!We thought we had lost over 20 years of memories but Vlad at Dr IT Services managed to recover pretty much everything. There is no price to put on memories so to have recovered the data lost was beyond words for us.The team at Dr… More IT Services excelled in their computer repair, laptop repair, and data recovery services, offering prompt and friendly assistance that was both knowledgeable and reliable, making the entire experience seamless. Their efficient and helpful staff made the whole process stress-free, leaving me completely satisfied with their overall service. Would definitely recommend!
I bought an expensive gaming laptop which was shutting down whilst gaming, and I suspected it might be because the operating temperatures were too high.I reached out to Vlad one morning and he offered to take a look at the laptop and repair it the same… More day. He was very polite and knowledgeable about the laptop I'd bought and about the CPU and GPU therein, and was aware that they were prone to overheating. He knew immediately what to do to fix it, so I left my laptop with him and shortly thereafter Vlad let me know that he had finished and the laptop was ready to collect. He was so efficient I could barely believe it! He took pictures throughout the process of the internals (before and after his repair) and showed me them on arrival.I took the laptop home and sure enough the operating temps are ~15c less and the laptop now works perfectly. Thank you Vlad! And all for a very reasonable price. Please do not hesitate if you are thinking about using Vlad! If I need anything IT related from now on, Vlad will be my first point of call!
Vlad was really great. He was highly professional and very helpful in sorting out my problem which required a new motherboard. He did an excellent job fitting the new motherboard at a very good price.
He even helped me return the defective motherboard… More that was sent in error as I was outside the country, which reflects his helpful nature.
I have used his services more than once, and he helped me repair 3 different laptops. I don't go to anyone before asking him first for help.
I highly recommend that you talk to him if you have any issues with a PC before going to someone else.
Vlad is excellent to use. I was looking for a computer repair in the area and came across him. Contact very easy and dropped the laptop down straight away. My son had broken his screen. Good communication with Vlad and efficient repair. Kept me updated… More throughout the process. Reasonably priced. Overall, i wouod recommend Vlad if you need any repairs doing, i will be using him again if i need to
Vlad was incredible! So generous with his time, explained everything so well and was great communicating. Cannot recommend him highly enough.Don't look around for someone else, if you've got a problem this is the guy you need to see!
Exceptional Service!!!I had some issues with my PC last week, with my SSD, and I thought I have lost my university assessments because my PC did not open anymore. Another issue was that I did not know anyone in my area that could fix my PC but I am glad… More that I have found and meet Vlad. He manage to fix my PC in one day just in time to be able to send my assessment to the university in time and the problem was solved. Vlad is a really great person and i would recommend him to anyone from now on if they have issues with their devices.
Thank you so much to Vlad and his knowledgable contacts! My hard drive had corrupted and I thought I had lost thousands of family photos - you can imagine how devastating that feels. Although Vlad could not recover them all, he was able to facilitate… More a company to do it on his behalf. It felt like Christmas to be reunited with them after months of uncertainty. I have no hesitation in recommending Dr IT.
For a mid-tier gaming PC build, consider a budget range of £500 to £700. Allocate approximately £90 to £150 for a low-end CPU, £220 for a low-end GPU, and £30 to £60 for mid-range RAM.
Opting for cost-effective components, such as a mid-range CPU and GPU, can help strike a balance between performance and budget when assembling your gaming rig.
Cost-Effective Alternatives for Gaming PC Parts
When looking to save money while building a gaming PC, consider opting for refurbished or open-box components from reputable sellers to slash costs by up to 50% compared to retail prices.
To maximize savings, keep an eye out for combo deals and bundles on websites like Newegg or Micro Center, where purchasing multiple parts together can lead to significant discounts.
Make use of price comparison tools such as PCPartPicker to hunt down the best deals and discounts on gaming PC parts, ensuring you get the most value for your budget.
Estimating Total Cost for Gaming PC Build
When you put together a gaming PC, accurately estimating the total cost is crucial, as it can vary significantly depending on the components you choose and your performance needs.
For those looking for a basic gaming setup, the cost typically ranges from £400 to £550. A mid-range system, which strikes a balance between performance and cost, can set you back between £650 to £950.
If you're after a top-tier gaming experience, high-end PC builds can exceed £1,800, with major cost factors including the graphics card, CPU, RAM, storage, and power supply unit.
Opting to build your own PC not only allows for personalisation but can also offer long-term value compared to pre-built alternatives, potentially reducing overall expenses.
Moreover, reusing existing PC parts can further cut down the total cost while still achieving the desired performance levels.
Hi, I'm Vlad Tabaranu. I'm your local computer and laptop repair specialist in Birmingham, and I've been providing top-notch IT services for over two decades!
Since April 2000, I've been dedicated to solving all kinds of computer problems, consistently ranking among the top 3 computer repair services in Birmingham. My commitment to excellence has been recognized with prestigious awards, including:
1. Is your PC/laptop noisy or overheating? Get it internally cleaned and have the thermal paste replaced!
2. Is your PC/laptop slow? Replace your current storage device with an SSD or nVme!
3. ALWAYS keep your important data on cloud! I recommend MEGA.nz for 2 reasons: I) it's end-to-end encrypted & II) it's cheaper per TB of data than Dropbox and Google Drive
4. SECURITY Surf the web without tracking with a VPN Surfshark
5. SECURITY Realtime keystroke encryption protects your typed info from keystroke capturing malware in all browsers and major apps. KeyScrambler