Whether a gaming PC is worth the money totally depends on the user and how the user intended to use it. If you are a pro-level gamer and want to taste all the latest and upcoming high-configuration games on your PC then a gaming PC is definitely worth it. However, if you don’t play games frequently and only need a PC for daily uses then a budget-friendly PC will be a better option for you.
Characteristics of a Gaming PC
Before we dig into the main part of today’s discussion, let’s check out some of the main characteristics of a Gaming PC –
- Motherboard: This is the heart of a gaming PC because all the components of a gaming PC will be installed hear. While choosing a motherboard for a gaming PC you have to consider quite a few things like chipset, expansion slots, SATA 3.0 interface supports, overclocking, DDR5 RAM slot, etc.
- Processor: It is the brain of a Gaming PC. You must pick the latest processor for your gaming PC. Some of the best gaming processors are Intel Skylake processors, Intel Core i5-12600K, Intel Core i7-12700K, AMD Ryzen 7 5700G, AMD Ryzen 5 5600X, AMD Ryzen 9 5900X, etc.
- RAM: In order to run a gaming PC smoothly you should pick at least 16GB DDR5 RAM. However, if you do live streaming and multitasking while playing games then the expert recommendation is to have 32GB RAM.
- Graphics Card: It is the most important component of a gaming PC and the more powerful your GPU would be the better your gaming experience will be. Some of the best GPU for a gaming PC are Nvidia GeForce RTX 3080 10GB, AMD Radeon RX 6800 XT, and Nvidia GeForce RTX 3060 Ti, etc.
- Cooling Fan: Gaming PC require strong cooling fans because Gaming PC components generate lots of heat. So, while buying a gaming PC you should also check the CPU and its cooling system.
Are Gaming PCs Worth the Money?
The answer to this question depends on how frequently you play games and your level. If you are a casual player and play games in your free time then you should not invest huge money on a gaming PC. On the other hand, if you are a pro-level player and playing games is your profession then gaming PC will be the right choice for you. Many gamers play games and do live streaming on their YouTube channel. If you do the same thing then you will need a powerful gaming PC. You can buy a gaming PC for as little as $1,000 – $1,500 but it won’t be a very powerful one. On the other hand, you can also spend $20,000, $30,000, or more to buy or build a gaming PC. So, how much you should spend on a gaming PC totally depends on your budget and requirements. So, how much you want to spend on a gaming PC and whether that investment would be worth is very subjective and depends on your preferences. So, what you can do is, identify your requirements and see how much you will need to spend to build a PC that will meet all your requirements. Then make a budget and see if it is enough to build your dream gaming PC. Try to stick with the budget and spend on the components that are most important for a gaming PC.
Which is Better: Building or Buying a Gaming PC?
When it comes to gaming PC you have the option to build it or buy it. However, you should keep in mind that both building and buying a gaming PC have advantages and disadvantages. So, it is better to check all the pros and cons of these two options first and then decide whether you should build or buy a gaming PC.
Advantages and Disadvantages of Building a Gaming PC
| Advantages of Building a Gaming PC | Disadvantages of Building a Gaming PC |
| When you build a gaming PC, you will have a clear idea about the components of the PC as well as the capabilities | Sometimes buying components increases the total cost because of shipping costs and individual product’s price hike |
| If you choose to build a PC then you will be able to choose the best deal for every component and save hundreds of dollars | You won’t have much professional support and might need to spend money on expert opinion |
| You can easily customize and upgrade your PC | You won’t get an all-inclusive warranty because you are separately buying components |
| You can customize your PC according to your requirements and add unique cosmetic modifications | If you build a PC then there are chances that some components might be incompatible with others |
| You can allocate your budget and spend more money on important components | If the components of the PC aren’t installed properly then it can lead to overheating and potential damage |
| Building a PC will provide longevity and it will be cheaper in long-term | Building a PC requires more time and knowledge |
Advantages and Disadvantages of Buying a Gaming PC
| Advantages of Buying a Gaming PC | Disadvantages of Buying a Gaming PC |
| Buying a gaming PC is a much cheaper option because it doesn’t have any shipping cost | Sometimes, you won’t get the exact configuration or component setup that you are looking for |
| Pre-build PCs come with an all-inclusive warranty so if there is any problem with any of the components then you can easily claim the warranty | It is costly and difficult to upgrade a pre-build pc |
| You will get free technical support and expert opinion while buying a gaming PC | If a component of the prebuild pc is damaged then it can bring down the entire PC |
| You don’t have to worry about the incompatibility of different components | You can’t customize your PC according to your requirements or add unique cosmetic modifications |
| Components are installed properly so no chance of overheating and damage | |
| You won’t need much time and knowledge to buy a gaming PC | |
Best Prebuild Gaming PC of 2022
1. MSI Aegis RS 11th Gen
| CPU | Intel Core i7-11700K |
| GPU | MSI GeForce RTX 3080 Ventus 3X OC |
| RAM | 16GB Crucial Ballistix DDR4-300 |
| Storage | 1TB XPG Gammix S70 PCIe Gen 4, 2TB Seagate Barracuda (7,200 RPM) |
2. Alienware Aurora R11
| CPU | Intel Core i9-10900K |
| GPU | Nvidia GeForce RTX 3090 |
| RAM | 64GB HyperX Fury DDR4-3200MHz |
| Storage | 2 TB M.2 NVMe SSD and 2 TB, 7,200-rpm HDD |
3. iBuypower Revolt 3 i7BG
| CPU | Intel Core i7-11700KF |
| GPU | Aorus GeForce RTX 3080 Gaming OC 10G (10GB GDDR6X) |
| RAM | 16GB T-Force DDR4-3200 |
| Storage | Western Digital SN550 1TB NVMe M.2 SSD |
4. Corsair One i300
| CPU | Intel Core i9-12900K |
| GPU | Liquid-cooled Nvidia GeForce RTX 3080 Ti (12GB GDDR6X) |
| RAM | 64GB Micron DDR5-4800 |
| Storage | 2TB PCIe Gen 4 NVMe SSD |
5. HP Omen 30L
| CPU | Intel Core i9-10900K |
| GPU | Custom HP GeForce RTX 3080 (10GB GDDR6X) |
| RAM | 32GB HyperX DDR4-3200 |
| Storage | 2TB WD Black M.2 NVMe, 2TB Seagate 2.5-inch SATA HDD |
6. Alienware Aurora R10 Ryzen Edition
| CPU | AMD Ryzen 5 5600X–Ryzen 9 5950X |
| GPU | Nvidia GTX 1660 Super–Nvidia RTX 3090 |
| RAM | 8GB–32GB DDR4 |
| Storage | 1 TB M.2 NVMe SSD and 1 TB, 7,200-rpm HDD |
7. Alienware Aurora R13
| CPU | Intel Core i5 12400F–Core i9 12900KF |
| GPU | Nvidia GTX 1650 Super–RTX 3090 |
| RAM | 8GB DDR5-4400–64GB DDR5-4400 |
| Storage | 1TB M.2 PCIe SSD and 1TB SATA HDD |
8. Corsair Vengeance
| CPU | AMD 5900X or Intel 10850K |
| GPU | AMD RX 6800 XT or Nvidia RTX 3090 |
| RAM | 64GB DDR4-3200 |
| Storage | 2 TB M.2 NVMe SSD and 2 TB, 7,200-rpm HDD |
9. Origin Millennium
| CPU | AMD Ryzen 9 5950X or Intel Core i9 12900KS |
| GPU | RX 6900 XT or RTX 3090 Ti |
| RAM | 128GB DDR4-3200 or 32GB DDR5-5200 |
| Storage | Gen4 PCIe SSD up to 2TB |
10. Acer Predator Orion 3000
| CPU | 12th-gen Intel Core i7 |
| GPU | Nvidia GeForce RTX 3070 |
| RAM | 16GB |
| Storage | 1TB SSD |
References:
https://www.chillblast.com/learn/if-im-a-casual-gamer-is-getting-a-gaming-pc-worth-it/
https://www.wired.com/story/gaming-pc-buying-tips/
https://www.hitechwork.com/what-are-the-main-features-of-a-gaming-pc/
https://www.tomsguide.com/us/best-gaming-pc,review-2219.html
Last Updated on August 1, 2022 by Ana S. Sutterfield
