How Much Is A PC Gaming Setup? (Best Specs & Price)

Owning a gaming PC can be quite expensive, so understanding the potential costs of a proper gaming setup is crucial before diving in.

Some modern PC games necessitate a high-end gaming PC to deliver a complete experience. Therefore, depending on your needs, you may require a more expensive option. If you’re wondering how much a PC gaming setup costs, I would say that the best gaming PC will set you back approximately $4300.

I will also inform you about the best option currently available on the market, so let’s dive in.

How Much Does a Gaming PC Setup Cost?

Owning a budget gaming PC for gaming typically requires you to build it yourself, as this approach significantly reduces costs, even for a high-end setup, not just for an average gaming configuration.

The components listed below are currently the best available for gaming computers. If you build a PC entirely from these parts, your custom setup will be an ideal gaming configuration, capable of running most video games, if not all of them.

Most importantly, you’ll save money in the process.

This MSI motherboard is currently among the best available, compatible with top Intel processors. 

Several features make this particular motherboard the ideal choice for you.

Firstly, it supports PCIe 5.0 and DDR5 memory.

It features an improved power solution, including a 16+1 DrMOS, military-grade TUF components, and ProCool sockets. 

The Digi + VRM system ensures durability and high performance by providing better control over the voltage used by the motherboard.

To cool down, this motherboard utilizes the VRM heatsink, M.2 heatsink, PCH fanless heatsink, Fan Xpert 4 utility, and hybrid fan headers.

The networking capabilities of this motherboard are provided by WiFi 6 AX201, Intel’s 2.5Gb LAN, along with TUF LANGuard and TurboLAN technology.

This motherboard allows you to connect numerous devices to your PC, featuring 4x M.2/NVMe SSD slots and multiple USB Type-C connectors.

Choosing the right processor for a high-performance gaming PC is a critical aspect of this task, and currently, the best option available on the market is Intel’s 13900K.

It features 24 cores, which is already promising, with 16 designated as E-cores and the remaining 8 allocated for P-cores.

This CPU features integrated graphics, specifically the Intel UHD Graphics 770.

In terms of performance, it can reach speeds of up to 5.8 GHz and features 36 MB of cache, enabling it to manage a significant workload, particularly during multitasking.

As anticipated from an Intel CPU of this caliber, it includes Turbo Boost Max Technology 3.0 and supports both PCIe 4.0 and 5.0.

One significant downside is that it does not include coolers, so you will need to purchase them separately.

However, quality coolers that are compatible with this CPU do not have to be excessively expensive, so you don’t need to worry too much about exceeding your budget.

Since the best CPU is an AMD Ryzen and the best motherboard is the ASUS AM4 TUF Gaming X570-Plus, it follows that the best GPU for PC gamers would be one that is compatible with these components.

The graphics card is the ASUS ROG STRIX RTX 3090.

The primary advantage of using this card lies in its foundation on Ampere architecture, which offers an excellent quality-to-price ratio.

However, the first thing you will likely notice about it is its design, which is very attractive and generally aligns with the aesthetic that people desire for their gaming setup.

Additional features that contribute to this GPU’s impressive performance include the inclusion of 2nd Gen Ray Tracing Cores and 3rd Gen Tensor Cores, with total core counts of 82 and 328, respectively, along with a high boost clock of 1890MHz.

Overall, there is no doubt that this graphics card can run any application or game you require.

Powerful CPUs required for gaming and handling video content can generate significant heat, making effective cooling essential for ensuring your CPU operates as efficiently as possible.

This Arctic Liquid Freezer is excellent because it is reasonably priced, yet its performance has proven to be very effective.

This is actually their second version, which has been greatly improved, offering fans optimized for static pressure, a proprietary pump, and a significantly more efficient cold plate.

It was designed with power efficiency in mind, so you’ll be pleased to know that it consumes 80% less power than its predecessor.

Of course, it is designed to be compatible with Intel’s 13900K, so whatever you need to accomplish with that powerful CPU, this cooler will be up to the task.

When selecting RAM, this Trident is the top choice available.

It is specifically designed to be compatible with Intel’s processors from the Z690 series and all subsequent releases, making it an excellent choice for your 13900K PC.

This is a 32 GB kit consisting of 2 x 16 GB modules, and it is memory that is typically ideal for high-performance tasks, particularly gaming.

It supports the XMP 3.0 profile, enabling the RAM to achieve the required overclock speed.

The design is sleek, ensuring it will integrate seamlessly into your setup, without a doubt.

It also features various colors and lighting effects, making it both aesthetically pleasing and highly functional.

Whether you need large storage not integrated into your PC is an ongoing debate, but I believe that opting for 2TB of storage when building the best gaming and streaming PC possible is the best choice.

The top choice is the Samsung 980 PRO 2TB model.

The primary reason it is highly recommended is its proven speed, which is the most crucial factor for an SSD in a gaming PC.

It features the M.2 form factor, while SATA ports remain available for any additional storage you may require.

While this is a substantial amount of storage, you never know when or why you might need to add something external. Therefore, it is crucial to know that this option is available to you.

How you supply power to your PC is not something to be taken lightly, so here is the best PSU available on the market.

This EVGA Supernova PSU is fully modular and features excellent build quality along with high-quality cables.

Of course, this PSU supports various motherboard and peripheral power configurations, so you don’t need to worry about whether yours will be compatible.

I particularly appreciated how quiet this PSU is, a quality that is rarely found in PCs designed for high-performance use.

While the case you select for your PC will significantly affect its aesthetic, it’s also crucial to choose one that can accommodate all the components you intend to include.

Firstly, this case by Fractal Design meets the criteria for being an aesthetically pleasing option, particularly highlighting the tempered glass lighting.

However, regarding functionality, the open grille and 180mm front fans are designed to optimize the PC’s air intake, thereby minimizing the risk of overheating.

Overall, the design of this case is primarily intended to ensure a substantial air-moving capacity and excellent GPU cooling potential.

This means that your PC’s performance potential will be maximized, allowing all components to operate at their best.

Curved monitors have become the standard for exceptional gaming experiences, and the best one currently available is this LG model.

With its 34 inches, it offers a spacious view that allows you to see all the details clearly. Additionally, the monitor’s resolution of 3440 x 1440 QHD ensures that the display remains sharp and free from blurriness.

The 21:9 aspect ratio is common with this type of monitor, and it tends to evoke strong opinions—people either really like it or really dislike it. In my experience with gaming, I found it to be quite beneficial.

It is also designed with adjustable ergonomics, allowing you to position it in the way that best suits your setup.

One of the main reasons this is the best gaming monitor available right now is its price point.

Typically, this type of monitor costs over $1000, but this one offers everything you need at an even lower price.

My only complaint about this monitor is the length of the included cables; however, given all its other great features, that is hardly a deal-breaker.

The best gaming keyboard is one that offers numerous options and controls while also complementing the aesthetic of your entire gaming setup.

SteelSeries Apex Pro is highly recommended for all of that, and numerous reviews support this claim.

This is a full-size mechanical keyboard featuring an RGB LED backlight and multiple function shortcuts for media controls.

The switches are analog and interchangeable, and the actuation is adjustable as well.

It is very easy to navigate all the menus with it, enhancing your overall gaming experience.

It is a high-quality ergonomic keyboard featuring a magnetic wrist rest that offers support for the entire palm.

The mouse you select for your gaming setup is primarily a personal choice influenced by several factors. Therefore, it can be, but does not have to be, what is truly best for you.

However, repeatedly in 2022, the gaming mouse that people seem to truly love is the Razer DeathAdder V2.

It is an optical mouse featuring 6 buttons, and its sensors are among the best available.

Additionally, the primary reason it is a top choice for most gamers is that it accommodates various hand sizes and is suitable for both palm and claw grips.

To answer the question, if you want the best gaming PC option available and plan to have it built by yourself or someone close to you who is knowledgeable about computers, you will need approximately $4300.

This includes selecting the best available components; however, if you want to build a PC on a budget, some aspects are more important than others.

For example, you shouldn’t compromise on your CPU, GPU, and motherboard, but you can save money on other components, to some extent.

Prebuilt Gaming PC Option

While building your own PC is generally the best option, particularly if you want to save money, opting for a prebuilt PC also offers its advantages.

This is particularly true if you are uncertain about your building skills and do not feel inclined to take the risk.

I also have the best option for you.

The top prebuilt computer for gamers is the MSI Aegis RS 12TG-285US.

One of the primary reasons this option emerged as the best choice is largely because the parts are off the shelf.

Here are the exact specifications of this gaming PC:

Taking into account both the performance and the construction, this is undoubtedly the best prebuilt option available.

The price is approximately $1800.

Conclusion

After considering both the option to build your own PC and the option to choose a prebuilt one, it is clear that the best choice for a gaming PC is to build a custom PC.

While these are currently the best components available, they are continuously updated and improved. This means that, at some point—perhaps not too far in the future—you may need to upgrade something.

While it’s possible with a prebuilt PC, building one yourself will make the process much easier.

Clearly, a significant advantage of choosing this option is that you will spend considerably less money than purchasing a prebuilt one.

So don’t be afraid, and don’t worry; assembling a PC isn’t as difficult as it may seem.

There is no need to worry, especially with the world of YouTube tutorials and step-by-step guides just a few clicks away.