Gaming on a PC can provide a much better experience than playing the same game on a console. With a PC, you are not locked into any particular hardware and there are many more settings available to the user. As we all know, technology has been advancing at an unrelenting pace. So, you may be wondering, ‘How long does a gaming PC last?’

The amount of time a gaming PC can last before needing to be upgraded or replaced will vary widely based on your expectations and budget. If you are the type of gamer that wants to be able to play the latest games at high resolutions on max settings, then you can expect to upgrade your PC annually or even semi-annually. In contrast, if you are ok with playing games at 1080P at 60 FPS, then a gaming PC can go 3 or more years before needing a hardware update. 

In this article, we will go over all the factors that cause a gaming PC to age. We will also discuss some things you can do to get the most life out of your gaming PC. 

The Gaming PC’s Depreciation In Value Is Of Little Concern

While it may be true that a gaming PC that was worth more than $2,000 ten years ago is worth about $500 today, that does not mean it’s a useless machine.

The reality of the matter is the value and depreciation of the components is completely irrelevant. All that matters is how the hardware performs.

PCs Last A Lot Longer Than They Used To 

While it is true that PC components are getting faster and faster, quite some time ago, the amount of computer power contained in low-cost components crossed a certain threshold. These days, it’s common to find a computer that is more than 10 years old still in useful service. 

This is a new phenomenon. In fact, 10 years ago, a computer powered by a 10 year old CPU would be pretty much useless. Another thing that keeps PCs in service for such long periods of time is that with a gaming PC, when you need an upgrade, you can replace just one component at a time. 

This makes upgrading a gaming PC, and thus increasing its lifespan, an easy, low-cost affair. For example, you can get a massive performance increase by upgrading the processor, but in other cases, you could get more than additional enough performance by simply adding some RAM. It really depends on what aspect of your gaming PC that you are wanting to speed up. 

Why Do Computers Get Slower Over Time?

Computers don’t actually get slower over time. In fact, the same gaming PC you build today is going to have the exact same performance in five years.

The reason why it feels like it doesn’t is because the software that you will end up running on that PC will change and become more and more demanding and resource intensive over that 5 year period.

How Can I Make My Gaming PC Run Better?

Another major contributor to computers feeling slower and slower over time is the build up of software on the machine. So, take a look at your installed programs and remove, uninstall, and delete anything that you don’t use. 

If your machine is still feeling a bit slow, then you may want to consider reinstalling Windows. Over time, Windows collects all kinds of garbage and digital debris that can bring an otherwise totally healthy, high-performance machine to its knees. 

So, a fresh start with a clean install of Windows is one of the most effective ways of bringing system performance back to what it used to be. 

There Is Never A Perfect Time To Build A Gaming PC 

Remember, graphics cards, CPUs, and software complexity are constantly advancing at an ever-increasing pace. This makes games look better and seem more realistic, but it also makes them more challenging to run.

It’s really astonishing how cheap it has become to build a nice gaming PC. In fact, with just an $800 budget, you can build a system with a Ryzen 5 CPU and a GTX 10-Series graphics card that will be able to run just about any game at 1080p at maximum quality settings.

While this will work, it will not be future proof. Then again, building a future proof PC is impossible, so it’s really all about building something that is within your budget that meets your needs. 

What Kind Of Gaming PC Lasts The Longest?

If you build a PC with a mid-range CPU and graphics card, you will indeed be able to play current AAA titles at 1080p with the graphics settings turned all the way up, but in more demanding games or newer titles, you are going to have to dial those settings back a bit. If those are your expectations then you will be good to go for several years. 

On the other hand, if you built the same PC and expected to be able to play those same games at a higher resolution, or if you expect to be able to play games that come out after you built your PC at max settings, you are going to be disappointed pretty quickly and in a matter of months you will feel like your new PC is old and needs to be upgraded or replaced.

How Can I Increase The Life Of My Gaming PC?

The best strategy is to get the components that you need right now to achieve the goal that you want. Then, in a year or two, you can upgrade a single component by swapping it out with a higher-performing part and selling the old one. 

Sure, you won’t get what you paid for it, but whatever you sell the old component for can go to offset the cost of the upgrade. 

For example, if you built a system for $800 and it had a CPU that you paid $250 for at the time, you could buy another $250 CPU 2 later and sell the old one for at least $100. This makes your cost to upgrade only $150 out of pocket.

One of the best things about building or buying a gaming PC is the fact that you can upgrade it. You are not locked into the components that you use to build it. So that means that you can, at some point, upgrade from a Ryzen 5 to a Ryzen 7, or you could add more RAM or swap out the graphics card with a more powerful model without having to buy a totally new one.

So, How Long Does A Gaming PC Last? 

It’s difficult to put an expiration date on a gaming PC because everyone has different expectations.

For instance, if you are someone who is perfectly content with running your games at 1080P and 60 FPS, then your PC will last longer than someone’s who prefers playing at 1440P at 120FPS. Even if those people have the same PC.

At some point you are going to have to upgrade, so it really just comes down to assessing your own expectations.

Upgrading is not a bad thing. Unlike a console which locks performance for the entire generation, PCs can be changed and upgraded any time.

What Lasts Longer, A Custom-Built Gaming PC Or A Pre-Built Gaming PC?

A prebuilt PC is going to have a slightly shorter ‘lifespan’ than a custom-built PC based on the fact that a custom PC can be built with a wide range of high-quality components.

While a prebuilt PC is not necessarily better or worse than a custom-built PC, the quality of OEM parts is questionable. Also, imported gaming PC aspects like the processor and graphics card options are often lacking.

An important factor to consider is the fact that when you get a prebuilt PC, you are paying extra for the labor to build it. This makes each part of your system more expensive than it otherwise would be.

So if you think about it, a $500 prebuilt PC will probably need upgrading sooner than a $500 custom-built PC because some of that money wants to pay people to put the parts together. That means the choice of parts will be slower than they otherwise would have been if the entire budget could have been allocated to the parts.

How Often Do You Update a Gaming PC?

If you build a top-end gaming PC, you will more than likely have to upgrade at least 1 component within 3 years. For example, 2 years after you build your computer, you may want to upgrade the CPU or RAM.

Another few years after that you may consider replacing your graphics card. Doing that will ensure that you always have the most up-to-date hardware.

If you are trying to maintain your machine’s ability to play the latest games on the best possible settings then you should expect to upgrade your core components regularly.

How Much Should You Spend on a Gaming PC?

Your target expectations and budget will determine how much to spend on a gaming PC. A decent budget gaming PC can be built for about $500, and a high-end enthusiast gaming machine could cost as much as $4000. So, there is quite a wide range. The average top-tier mid- range gaming PC will cost around $1500. 

In a $1500 budget, there is plenty of room for a decent processor, graphics card, memory, and SSD, which are the core performance components of a gaming PC. 

Are Gaming PCs Worth It?

Yes. Even if you don’t plan on playing games with it, having a gaming PC ensures the best possible computer experience.

This is because gaming PCs are often fitted with the best of the best in terms of memory, CPU, storage, and of course graphics processors. Remember, games are not the only the GPUs are useful for. 

Having a great graphics processor in your media or work machine can accelerate all kinds of non-gaming-related tasks such as 3d modeling and streaming 4K video.

There are plenty of PC exclusive titles and the keyboard and mouse provide superior control. A gaming PC provides better graphics and higher frame rates, along with more system flexibility and upgradability.

Conclusion

PC Gaming provides a far better experience than a console can provide. With access to so many more settings and the precise input provided by the keyboard and mouse, it’s no surprise that the best gaming experience happens on a PC. With technology advancing so quickly, the question of how long a gaming PC will last comes into the spotlight. 

If you require a machine capable of playing the latest games at the highest possible resolutions with the graphics settings turned all the way up, you will need to upgrade or replace your machine every year or so. On the other hand, if you are content with playing games at reasonable 1080P resolutions and a still-very-smooth 60 frames per seconds, then a decent gaming PC can last 3 years or more. 

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