New gaming PC could outperform Xbox Series S, but cost much more
The article assesses whether a newly built PC can match the Xbox Series S as an affordable entry point to gaming. It concludes that a PC using current, readily available parts can outperform the console in theory, but the cost is likely to be substantially higher.
The comparison targets 1080p gaming, or 1440p with reduced settings and upscaling, and excludes refurbished parts. The Series S has an eight-core Zen 2 processor, an RDNA 2 graphics chip and 10GB of shared memory; the proposed PC uses an AM4 motherboard, a Ryzen 5 5600 or 5600X3D, and 8GB of DDR4 RAM. The article puts the processor at about $160, the motherboard at $80–$90 and memory at $40, while noting that GPU prices are volatile and that older cards or an RTX 3050 may be poor choices for newer games.
In short
- A new PC can beat the Series S on paper.
- Its parts already cost at least $280 before a graphics card.
- Current hardware prices make the comparison time-sensitive.
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The case for
A PC can offer stronger gaming performance and greater flexibility than the Series S, while letting buyers upgrade components and use the machine for work or other tasks. For someone who values those advantages and can afford the higher upfront cost, building with current parts may be a worthwhile step up from a console.
The case against
The Series S remains a more accessible entry point because its fixed hardware is sold as an integrated gaming system, whereas a new PC with comparable or better performance costs substantially more. That premium may be hard to justify for someone mainly seeking affordable 1080p gaming, especially when PC graphics-card prices are volatile and budget cards can struggle with newer games.
Explained simply
The Xbox Series S is Microsoft’s lower-cost games console, designed to play modern games without the price of a high-end system. A gaming PC uses separate components, such as a processor, memory and graphics card, which can be chosen or upgraded individually.
The comparison is about performance at common screen resolutions: 1080p, or 1440p with some settings reduced. The Series S combines its processor and graphics hardware with shared memory, while a PC’s performance depends on the parts installed and how well games use them.
This matters to people choosing an affordable way to play newer games. A PC may offer more performance and flexibility, but its total cost depends on component prices, especially the graphics card, and can be much higher than the console’s.
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Originally published by Engadget as “How much would it cost to build a PC similar to the Xbox Series S?”.