CONNECT WITH US
Tech

Tech

How much would it cost to build a PC similar to the Xbox Series S?

Engadget logo

Published on

Add as a preferred source on Google
How much would it cost to build a PC similar to the Xbox Series S?

It's not too hard to build a PC that plays the same role as the Xbox Series S, but it won't necessarily come cheap.

Microsoft markets the Xbox Series S as a value pick for console gamers, running games at 1440p and up to 120 FPS. Its hardware may be a bit dated, and even the 512GB base model runs $500 after recent price hikes, but PCs aren't cheap either now, as AI's demand for computer hardware continues to drive consumer hardware prices ever higher. Even old GPUs are now valuable.

But an Xbox is limited to gaming and media consumption, so it still makes sense to try and build a Series S equivalent in 2026. However, the Series S' older, custom hardware means there's no apples-to-apples comparison for current-generation custom PC builds. You could use older parts, but you'd be better off buying the Xbox in that case. Older parts make sense in a console that developers are actively optimizing their games for, but a PC won't be as accommodating. The good news, though, is that it's not hard to build a computer that crushes the budget Xbox on paper and offers a similarly enjoyable entry-level PC gaming experience. The predictable trade-off is that it will also crush your wallet.

My criteria for this theoretical build were simple. It had to outperform the Xbox Series S running at 1080p native (or 1440p with reduced settings and upscaling) and could only use parts you can still buy from major retailers.


Source link
Related Topics:Tech

Disclaimer

We strive to uphold the highest ethical standards in all of our reporting and coverage. We TheMorningPulse.fyi want to be transparent with our readers about any potential conflicts of interest that may arise in our work. It's possible that some of the investors we feature may have connections to other businesses, including competitors or companies we write about. However, we want to assure our readers that this will not have any impact on the integrity or impartiality of our reporting. We are committed to delivering accurate, unbiased news and information to our audience, and we will continue to uphold our ethics and principles in all of our work. Thank you for your trust and support.