How much does it cost to build a gaming pc

Do you want to assemble a gaming PC but have no idea about the current market situation? In our buyer’s guide for gaming PC configurations, we look at the advantages and disadvantages of DIY PCs compared to ready-made PCs and explain what you have to pay particular attention to when putting together a DIY PC for gaming. We also present current compilations for self-build PCs up to 600, 800, 1000, 1200 and 1500 euros.

Do-it-yourself PC vs. complete PC – the advantages

You would not have ended up in this post if you wanted to buy a ready-made PC ( but go to the ready-made PC purchase advisor ). Nevertheless, as a member of the PC Master Race, it’s never too bad for me to downplay the advantages of a DIY PC compared to a ready-made PC. Even for those who feel overwhelmed with the handicraft work, the amount of 50 to 100 euros in the enthusiastic hobbyist buddy or an online assembly often more than pays off given the lifespan of the home-made PC.

1. Maximum individuality

If you put the new gaming PC together yourself, you will benefit from the maximum variety of components compared to ready-made PCs and can concentrate on one or even several key areas. Silent build, maximum performance, RGB escalation, maximum performing RGB escalation? You have it in your hands and the limit is usually only set by the available budget.

2. The best value for money

You almost always get more for your money by building the PC yourself. The disproportion increases with the absolute price. Means: The more expensive a finished PC is, the worse the price-performance ratio is normally. Example: You can get a finished PC up to 1500 euros in our shop with a GeForce RTX 3070 at most . This is actually a pretty reasonable offer at the moment, but it also has a lot of weaknesses. When building your own, at least before Covid-19, higher performance was always possible with faster components. However, this is currently difficult because the prices for graphics cards are still very high.

3. Long lifetime

The calculation from point 2 does not even include the entire service life. Although branded components are more expensive than OEM goods, the hardware can easily last 5 years or more if it is treated properly. The keyword is compatibility. I still use my ten-year-old branded power supply today, just like my case of the same age. Even my big CPU fan Noctua NH-U12P is now in use on the third processor thanks to great support in the form of free mounting kits .

4. Upgrading can be planned in the long term

With the right planning, you can leverage many components across multiple CPU or GPU generations. A spacious and modular housing as well as an extensively equipped mainboard are particularly important. So think carefully about how big or small the case really needs to be and whether a mainboard with more PCIe slots, M.2 ports and SATA connections might not ultimately pay off in view of the upgrade options for expansion cards, SSDs and the like.

5. Efficient cooling concepts with low volume

While ready-made PCs are often sewn to the edge and this is particularly evident in the heat sinks and fans used, you determine the temperatures and at the same time the volume of the home-made PC yourself. A large and efficient processor cooler, the quietest triple fan graphics card and a case fan with a diameter of 140 mm? Your ears will thank you just as much as the components, which run more smoothly, stay cooler and ultimately last longer.

Note: Large fans can move as much air at low speeds as small fans at high speeds. And: The faster a fan spins, the louder it gets. So it is best to install as large a fan as possible. Even better temperatures can only be achieved with water cooling. Modern AiO water cooling for the CPU can be installed quickly. With complete water cooling, ambitious hobbyists ensure extremely quiet operation of the processor and graphics card, even with very processor-intensive applications and games.

6. Maintenance and Sale

OEM hardware is quite unserviceable because the components are not available to end customers and are often difficult to replace. With a home-made PC, the exchange of SSD, RAM, power supply unit or graphics card can be implemented in just a few simple steps. This applies to upgrading as well as maintenance. Should the GPU give up the ghost after all, a new graphics card can be quickly ordered and installed. More effort is required when replacing the processor, for example, if you have to change the mainboard socket.

So you don’t have the problem of having to send the entire finished PC to the manufacturer if a defect occurs. Thanks to the compatibility of the components, you can also easily sell the old hardware and pay for the new RTX 3070 with the proceeds for the old GTX 1080 Ti. Even if the GPU of the finished PC can be removed, the trimmed OEM components are of no interest to many hobbyists.

7. Learning effect and happiness hormones

Nobody is born a professional hobbyist. Those who set themselves the task of building their own PC often cannot avoid instructions, video tutorials and perhaps even a visit to the service workshop. Not only do you get to know the PC and how the components work better, you also become more independent in the case of repairs and hardware upgrades because you can carry out the necessary steps yourself.

And let’s be honest: The joy felt when switching on the new gaming PC for the first time is in no way comparable to unpacking a complete PC. Assuming everything works. For some do-it-yourself builders, this joy is even so great that assembling the PC is more exciting for them than playing the game itself.

Do-it-yourself PC vs. complete PC – the disadvantages

As you can see, as an enthusiastic hobbyist, I always prefer the DIY PC to the ready-made PC. Nevertheless, the complete PC has a legitimate right to exist for many users. Many gamers don’t dare to assemble a PC or simply don’t have the time for hours of tinkering. They therefore often consider the disadvantages of the DIY PC to be significantly more serious than the advantages. But where can the ready-made PC show its advantages compared to the self-made PC?

1. The time factor: research, assembly, troubleshooting

Order, unpack, set it up, connect it, play: the journey to the finished DIY gaming PC isn’t as easy as it is with a complete PC. Which components fit together? What does the PC cost in the end? Does this screw have to be left over? Why the hell does the pc shut down on boot up? These questions will certainly sound familiar to most hobbyists.

If the time required for research, assembly and potentially necessary troubleshooting is included in the cost calculation for the new gaming PC, then a home-built PC is significantly more expensive. In addition, you do not have to pay attention to the availability of the individual components and different delivery times.

2. Knowledge and ambition necessary

The time required for the compilation and assembly depends heavily on the existing knowledge and your dexterity. If you don’t enjoy poring over forums, buyers’ guides and instructions, are the proud owner of two left hands and have to postpone assembly until late at night on weekends that are already packed anyway, you might be doing yourself a bigger favor with a ready-made PC.

3. Peripherals cost extra

Ready-made PCs are often delivered with input devices. Although these are rarely of high quality, the PC is still ready to go immediately. If you build your own PC, you also have to factor in a gaming mouse and keyboard. The advantage? You can choose what you want and go straight to higher-quality input devices with the functions that are relevant to you.

4. Warranty and service jungle

Another disadvantage of a self-built PC is the different modalities of warranty, service, etc. If something really does happen, you have different contacts and, if in doubt, you have to check exactly which manufacturer is responsible for which damage. If a component refuses to work, it is also up to you to find the error. With a finished PC, however, you have to send in the complete PC. But you get the complete PC repaired and back in one piece.

5. More packaging waste

No longer unimportant for many users today: the environmental balance. With many small and large packages, there is significantly more packaging waste than with a large package. In addition, the delivery effort is greater and there are many small parts left over. However, this can also be an advantage for later upgrades.

What do you have to consider when building a gaming PC?

When putting together a DIY PC, there are a few things to keep in mind. Of course, you have to consider which components fit together best. It is also important to distribute the budget sensibly among the respective components. There are also individual requirements: How big can or should the gaming PC be? Should it be as quiet as possible? Which games do I want to play in which resolution? How many years do I want to use the gaming PC? Ultimately, the most important factor is the available budget.

The right planning

Many gamers approach a new gaming PC like this: I can spend 1000 euros, what is the maximum performance I can get for it? This is not wrong in principle, but many relevant aspects such as the power supply unit or the cooler are neglected as a result. The problem becomes especially tangible when only 30 euros remain for a component in the end, because otherwise the 1000 euro mark would be exceeded. So give yourself some leeway so you don’t have to force a vulnerability on your new PC from the start.

In order to reduce the time required for extensive research, I have listed recommended configurations with different budgets for you at the end of the article. That said, below I’ll briefly go over each component and the specific properties you should be aware of.

The graphics card is most important for gaming

Many gamers split the majority of the existing budget equally between graphics card and processor. The graphics card is the most important for calculating the resolution and graphic details in most games. As a rule of thumb, depending on the absolute budget, about 30 to 50% should be invested in the GPU. Means that with a 1000 euro gaming PC, 400 euros can be reserved for the graphics card, since it takes over the bear share of the computing power. But it shouldn’t be much more pro rata unless you’re aiming for a sleeper build.

The desired model is often offered by several manufacturers with different cooling designs and factory overclocking. Here the comparisons of the partner cards as well as the overview page of Computerbase are highly recommended. You should avoid cooling designs with only one active fan with powerful graphics cards, as they get very loud and warm under load.

A processor to play and work

While the graphics card handles most of the computing power in most games, strategy games and simulations such as Frostpunk, Anno and Co. are an exception. There the CPU calculates the many small objects. FPS and first-person shooters like CS:GO or Battlefield also attach great importance to a fast CPU. The decisive factor is not the number of cores, but the highest possible clock rate or single-core performance. Despite having fewer cores, Intel processors have often been the better choice for gamers in the past due to the higher clock speeds. However, that changed with the introduction of AMD Ryzen 5000 CPUs, because AMD is now roughly on par with the 11th Intel generation.

If you also work with applications such as Adobe Photoshop or DaVinci Resolve on your gaming PC, you are still better off with a current Ryzen processor. For example, the Ryzen 9 5900X is as fast as the Intel Core i9-11900K in gaming. In applications, however, the Ryzen 9 is 28% faster. In terms of price, both are on a similar level. With Ryzen 5000, AMD has really stirred up the market. The CPUs are now back in stock at most online shops.

You can find more information about CPUs and at Computerbase . Since the leaps in performance in processor generations have always been manageable, flagships usually easily last 4 to 5 years.

The right housing for your needs

There are now countless cases on the market. Large, small or angular, with glass, mesh and RGB lighting, insulated, simple or open. While the look remains a matter of taste, the form factor is particularly important and must match your desired mainboard. ATX is the standard. The larger E-ATX and the small Mini-ITX format, which has to be installed in the Fractal Design Era or Razer Tomahawk, for example, are a little more common.

Personally, I value assembly in the interior that is as tool-free as possible, a simple design, folded edges and generally clean workmanship, dust filters, enough space for large graphics cards and high CPU coolers, as well as easy-to-implement cable management. Modern connections such as USB Type-C on the front should be included, as well as enough drive bays for internal SSDs or HDDs and a good airflow. With the last point, you should make sure that large 140 mm fans are installed or that there is space for water cooling with large radiators so that the PC runs nice and quiet. The highlight? With a very good airflow, even an uninsulated case doesn’t get loud.

The Fractal Design 7 ( test ) is an exemplary case, although it is not exactly cheap . If you like it more conspicuous, you can use the Fractal Design Define S2 Vision ( test ). With Fractal Design you will rarely do anything wrong, but manufacturers such as be Quiet!, Corsair and Co. also have very good cases on offer. PC towers can easily accompany you for 10 years. If they are still standing in the living room and “been seen”, I would budget no less than 100 euros for a reasonable case. You will thank yourself for it at the latest during installation. You can find more detailed information.

Pay attention to the socket and chipset on the mainboard

Just as the form factor has to match the case to the mainboard, it is also the other way around. You can’t go wrong with the ATX format. Once you’ve decided on a processor, the motherboard socket must support the CPU. Intel’s current 11th generation (Rocket Lake-S) relies on the LGA 1200 socket. With AMD’s 5th generation Ryzen processors, you have to use the AM4 socket.

The chipset of the mainboard reveals how extensively the mainboard is equipped. The better the chipset, the more expensive the board. These include M.2 and SATA interfaces, RAM banks, WiFi and Co. The prices are currently skyrocketing thanks to pre-installed water cooling, special heat sinks or RGB lighting. Please note: Complications can arise with new AMD CPUs and older chipsets, since the mainboards require a bios update or no longer support the CPUs (see figure). The mainboards are therefore often marked with “Ready-for-Ryzen-X000” stickers. You should also look for it on the product pages.

Intel skilfully circumvents the problem, since a new socket is introduced with almost every new processor generation. That makes a new mainboard necessary anyway.

16GB of RAM is enough, but more is always better

In addition to the graphics card and the processor, the RAM is also crucial for the performance of a gaming PC. With RAM, size, speed, response time and timing are relevant. In addition, two modules in dual-channel mode work significantly faster, especially in connection with current Ryzen processors. Therefore, it is better to use two 8 GB instead of one 16 GB DIMM, for example. A mainboard with four RAM banks offers the possibility to easily upgrade the RAM later.

By the way, 16 GB RAM is completely sufficient for current games. Applications such as Google Chrome or Adobe Photoshop, on the other hand, make extensive use of the RAM. Even 32 GB can quickly be used up. You should make sure to use modules of the same type and with the same speed (eg 3200 Mhz), since the slowest module determines the speed. In addition, the mainboard must support the speed of the RAM. AMD processors benefit from a fast main memory with 3200 Mhz and more.

The response time or timings are given in the form of “CL16-18-18”. The lower the values, the lower the latency or the faster the RAM. However, the differences are often not really noticeable in practice. The subject of “latencies and timings” is very complex and particularly relevant for overclockers.

A mid-range SSD is usually sufficient

When choosing the data carrier, you should opt for an M.2 NVMe SSD in 2021. The operating system, games and programs start much faster from an SSD than from an HDD, and SSDs also work silently. SSDs are available in more or less three formats: As a 2.5″ SSD with a SATA connection, as an M.2 SATA SSD and as an M.2 NVMe SSD. In practice, the difference between an M.2 SATA SSD and an M.2 NVMe SSD is often only noticeable when huge amounts of data are being moved.

A cheap 2.5″ or M.2 NVMe SSD is therefore sufficient for most gamers. Recommended models with a good price-performance ratio are, for example, the Intel SSD 660p or the Crucial P1. Given the size of current games, you should not plan on less than one TB for your main partition. For storing large amounts of data, HDDs are still an option due to the lower price per gigabyte.

Saving on the power supply is not worth it

The power supply is often one of the components where savings are most likely to be made. However, cheap China power supplies rarely pay off. The specified performance is often not achieved, nor are the power supplies particularly energy-efficient and therefore expensive to operate. With undersized fans, they not only develop into an annoying source of noise, in most cases they also die much earlier than high-quality branded counterparts.

So what should you watch out for? In addition to the format, the performance must also match your system. be Quiet! As a generally highly recommended supplier of high-quality power supplies, offers a power supply calculator , which, however, measures very generously. However, it’s always a good idea to leave some leeway for eventual future upgrades. However, more than 600-700 watts are only really necessary with very powerful hardware such as an Intel Core i9 and an RTX 3080/90. The efficiency usually increases with the price of the power supply unit, and more expensive power supply units have a modular design, which significantly simplifies installation and cable management. Of course, the power supply should offer enough power connections and cables for your components. It is best to only use the original accessories for each power supply unit.

Since power supplies almost always have an active fan, you should make sure that a fan that is as large and quiet as possible is used. A prime example is the Dark Power Pro 11 series from be Quiet!, in which a 135 mm fan is installed. There are even power supplies without an active fan. However, they are very expensive, can only be implemented up to a certain level of performance and should only be used if good airflow is guaranteed in the housing. Everything you need to know about power supplies can be found in our comprehensive guide .

An efficient CPU cooler is necessary for powerful CPUs

The processor is the component in the PC that develops the highest temperature under load. A powerful heat sink that can keep the temperatures in check is therefore important. In the past, buyers of Intel and AMD CPUs could simply settle for the included boxed cooler. Due to the increasing performance, the demands on the CPU cooler have also increased. The boxed coolers from AMD included in the scope of delivery are sufficient for everyday use, but they are neither the most beautiful nor the quietest companions. With high-performance Intel CPUs, a boxed cooler is now even dispensed with.

For particularly quiet operation or for very powerful CPUs, a large CPU cooler is more of a must than a choice. The cooler also ensures a longer service life for the processor, as it does not get as hot. Personally, I have had very good experiences with Noctua, as the CPU coolers can still be used even if the processor is changed thanks to the free mounting kits .

With large coolers such as the be Quiet! Dark Rock 4 or the Noctua NH-D15 chromax.black you have to make sure that your case offers enough space in width. Another problem is RAM bars with high passive heat sinks, as these often collide with the CPU cooler. If you want to reduce the volume under load to a minimum, it is best to use an AiO water cooling system. However, these also have fans on the radiators and the water pumps can also make audible noises.

Is a sound card superfluous these days?

Current mainboards are now mostly equipped with decent sound chips, which are completely sufficient for the gaming headset or 2.1 system on the PC. A dedicated sound card is only recommended if you want to use studio headphones with more than 32 ohms as a headset on the PC and need an internal amplifier. If the case or mainboard does not provide a free slot, external DACs are also an option.

The configuration must match

The bottom line is that when configuring a new gaming PC, you should make sure that the overall constellation is coordinated. For example, Intel Core i7-11700k, RTX 3080 and 8 GB RAM do not form a sensible team, since the RAM acts like a handbrake. The CPU and GPU should also match each other in terms of performance so that there is no bottleneck. To make this task easier for you, I have listed some configurations for you for the most relevant price ranges below. AMD, Intel and Nvidia can of course be combined as desired.

Configuration for 600 euros

600 euros is the minimum you should plan for a gaming PC. With the Core i5-10400F, Intel currently offers the only really recommendable and available option, since the Ryzen 5 3600 is hardly available. With this budget you have to make do with the boxed cooler. It doesn’t matter whether it’s an ATX or µATX mainboard, the main thing is that it’s certified for the current processors. A new graphics card is currently not available for this price range, since even the GTX 1660 Ti costs a good 500 euros*. You should therefore look out for used cards such as the GeForce GTX 1060 or Radeon RX 570. The cases are just two suggestions for the price range up to around 40 euros.

Configuration for 800 euros

For 800 euros is currently hardly possible. A recommended AMD CPU is the Ryzen 5 3600, which at just under 200 euros* is 50 euros* more expensive and only slightly faster than the Intel Core i5-10400F in multi-core applications. New graphics cards are still left out. While the rest hardly changes compared to the 600 euro config, you should put the remaining budget in a higher quality case. The Pure Base 500 with two pre-installed 140mm fans is a very good choice.

Configuration for 1000 euros

1000 euros is probably the budget that most gamers can invest in a new PC. You can use the additional budget to get a stronger graphics card in the best case and also distribute it to a larger M.2 NVMe SSD. The GeForce RTX 3060 Ti is offered irregularly in our shop at the RRP. If you can, then you should strike. The Radeon RX 6600 is also an option, albeit significantly slower than the RTX 3060 Ti.

Otherwise there are also a few changes if the budget is a bit “flexible”. In this configuration, the RAM clocks a little faster at 3200 MHz and the Seasonic Focus PX 550W is a high-quality and fully modular power supply.

Configuration for 1200 euros

With a budget of 1200 euros, you are usually in the upper middle class when it comes to self-built PCs, but this is currently not the case given the scarce hardware components.

While many components remain the same compared to the $1000 configuration, most of the extra budget goes into a better processor. The Ryzen 5 5600X offers almost 30% faster single-core performance compared to the Ryzen 5 3600 and is also 26% faster in multi-core applications .

A better graphics card would also be desirable, but even the custom designs of the RTX 3060 Ti hardly fit into the budget compared to the Founders Edition and are simply far too expensive at 750 euros*. As the most important performance supplier in games, the money is best kept with an RTX 3060 Ti FE. Although AMD offers the 6700 XT as a suitable alternative, it is unfortunately not available anywhere. Dedicated CPU coolers are also a sensible investment for more smooth running in everyday life.

Configuration for 1500 euros

Similar to the range up to 1200 euros, the best recommendation here is: wait for better availability. With a Ryzen 7 5800X or an Intel Core i7-11700 you won’t go wrong. A Geforce RTX 3080 or a Radeon RX 6800XT would be the recommended graphics cards if you get them as FE at RRP. It also remains questionable when the availability of the new graphics cards will improve again.

You should also stock up on other things with this budget. More RAM, an extensively equipped AMD mainboard and a better CPU cooler are sensible options, for example. The Fractal Design Define S2 Blackout is also a really chic case with very good features.

Of course, the configurations are not set in stone. With regard to differing budgets and personal taste, there is leeway everywhere. Whether the power supply is from be Quiet!, Seasonic or Corsair, for example, does not play a decisive role. This also applies to housing, graphics cards, mainboards or RAM. Recommended hardware is available from many manufacturers, but you can never go wrong with the components mentioned.

Covid-19, missing goods and rising prices

I have to admit that I found it extremely difficult to update our buyer’s guide both last year and this year. This is mainly due to the corona pandemic and its effects on global chip production, which results in a shortage of graphics cards and processors. Graphics cards in particular are currently suffering from high price fluctuations and recommendations are difficult to make, since even entry-level models such as a GeForce GTX 1660 Ti are asking for prices of over 500 euros*.

The only alternative is to use used goods, but these are also currently being traded at very high prices on the Internet. New graphics cards only end up in small quantities in retailers’ warehouses and are almost always sold out immediately. Nvidia offers the graphics cards as Founders Edition (FE) at MSRP, but since the drops often take place without warning, it is pure luck to get one of the cards. If you don’t want to spend an excessive amount of money on a new graphics card, you should continue to wait for a better availability for the time being.

What hardware can we still expect in 2021 / 2022?

If you are not sure whether the investment in current hardware is worthwhile at all, a look into the crystal ball will help. Those who buy hardware shortly before the end of the product life cycle are often annoyed at the end. So what else is happening in 2021? In fact, Intel is in the starting blocks with the 12th Intel Core i generation of processors (Alder Lake-S) and, according to rumors, could present them in November. AMD should also prepare the right answer with Ryzen 6000. The introduction of the CPUs with the code name Rembrandt could also only take place at the beginning of next year.

With the introduction of Intel Alder Lake-S, the introduction of DDR5 memory into the mass market is imminent, since it will then be supported by new processors for the first time. DDR5 enables a significantly higher bandwidth. However, it is still unclear how big the difference in speed will really be in everyday life compared to DDR4.

When it comes to graphics cards, the question of better availability is likely to be more exciting for many users at the moment than the presentation of new graphics cards, the availability of which will then also be limited. Nevertheless, there is already speculation that Nvidia could bring new RTX 3000 graphics cards with the Super addition in early 2022. AMD, on the other hand, should be a lot longer in coming with the new RX 7000 GPUs. In the room is – by the way, as well as for the RTX 4000 generation – Q4 2022.

So if your gaming PC hasn’t just kicked up its hooves, it’s definitely worth waiting for the current graphics cards to be more available.

Do you have questions or comments about a specific configuration or are you looking for a configuration for a different budget? Then just write us your requirements for your new gaming PC and the financially possible framework in the comments.