PC Build Cost Calculator
Assemble your virtual PC configuration. View cost allocations, add peripherals, customize taxes/fees, and get real-time suggestions on how to save money on your build.
Assembly Tray
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Build GalleryNo capacity derating below 3 years.
Adds ~5% to recommended wattage on top of ATX headroom.
How much should you spend on each component?
A balanced system ensures no single component bottlenecks the rest. Here is our recommended allocation breakdown for gaming and productivity workloads.
| Category | Entry Gaming ($600-800) | Mid-Range ($1000-1500) | High-End ($2000+) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Graphics Card (GPU) | 35% - 40% | 35% - 45% | 40% - 50% |
| Processor (CPU) | 20% - 25% | 15% - 20% | 15% - 20% |
| Motherboard | 12% - 15% | 10% - 12% | 8% - 10% |
| RAM & Storage | 15% - 18% | 15% - 20% | 12% - 15% |
| Power Supply & Case | 12% - 15% | 10% - 12% | 10% - 12% |
PC Build Cost — Frequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost to build a gaming PC in 2025?
A budget gaming PC costs $500–$800. A mid-range build with RTX 5060 Ti or RX 9070 costs $900–$1,400. A high-end gaming PC with RTX 5080/5090 costs $2,000–$4,000+. These estimates include CPU, GPU, RAM, storage, motherboard, PSU, and case — but not monitor or peripherals.
What percentage of PC budget should go to the GPU?
For gaming builds, aim for 35–45% of total budget on the GPU. A 50%+ GPU allocation is common for high-resolution gaming. CPU should be 15–25%, with the rest split across RAM, storage, motherboard, PSU, and case.
Is it cheaper to build or buy a PC?
Building is typically 15–30% cheaper than a prebuilt with equivalent specs, and you get better component quality control. Prebuilts save assembly time but often use cheaper PSUs, motherboards, and cooling. For performance per dollar, building wins.
What is a good PC build for $1,000 in 2025?
A strong $1,000 build in 2025: Ryzen 5 9600X ($229) + RTX 5060 Ti ($399) + 16GB DDR5-6000 ($60) + 1TB NVMe SSD ($70) + B650 motherboard ($120) + 650W Gold PSU ($80) + mid-tower case ($60). This targets excellent 1080p and capable 1440p gaming.
How much RAM do I need for gaming?
16GB DDR5 (2×8GB) is the minimum for gaming in 2025. Most modern games recommend 16GB; demanding titles and future-proofing warrant 32GB. 64GB is only needed for professional workloads like video editing or 3D rendering.
What CPU should I pair with RTX 5080?
For RTX 5080, pair with AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D ($479) or Intel Core Ultra 9 285K ($589) to avoid CPU bottlenecks at 1440p and 4K. Pairing RTX 5080 with a budget CPU will create significant bottlenecks in CPU-heavy games like strategy titles or open-world games.
Is DDR5 worth it over DDR4 in 2025?
Yes. DDR5 is the standard for all modern AM5 and LGA1851 platforms. DDR5-6000 CL30 is the sweet spot for AMD Ryzen, providing optimal memory controller performance. DDR4 systems are limited to older LGA1700 Intel platforms with no upgrade path.
How much storage do I need for a gaming PC?
2TB NVMe SSD is the ideal minimum for gaming in 2025. Modern AAA games take 80–150GB each. A 1TB SSD fills up with just 10–15 games. Consider a 2TB primary NVMe drive + 4TB HDD for game archives.
What is a CPU bottleneck and how do I avoid it?
A CPU bottleneck occurs when your CPU cannot feed frames to your GPU fast enough, limiting frame rates. Pair high-end GPUs (RTX 5080+) with high-end CPUs (Ryzen 7 9800X3D or Core Ultra 9 285K). Gaming at 4K is typically less CPU-bottlenecked since the GPU workload is heavier.
Should I get an AIO or air CPU cooler?
For CPUs up to 65W TDP, a quality air cooler ($30–$70) is sufficient and quieter. For 125W+ TDP CPUs like Ryzen 9 9950X or i9-14900K under all-core load, a 240mm or 360mm AIO ($80–$150) prevents thermal throttling and sustains higher boost clocks.
What sales tax do I pay on PC parts?
US sales tax on PC parts varies by state: 0% in Oregon, Montana, Delaware, and New Hampshire; 7–10% in most states. California charges 7.25%+. Major retailers (Amazon, Newegg, Micro Center) collect tax in all states. Use PSUCheck's tax rate slider to factor your local rate into the total build cost.