Players have spent decades arguing the pros and cons of PC and console gaming. While it all comes down to your needs as a gamer, one platform comes out on top. This is why you should build a PC rather than buy the latest gaming console.
7
You Need a PC for the Best Gaming Performance
If you’re seeking pure performance and power, there is no option to consider other than PC gaming. Rather than a simple plug-and-play system, a PC allows you to customize and build it to your liking or budget. Consoles are still lagging behind when it comes to the refresh rate you can play games at, with most allowing for either 30 or 60fps, and only the occasional title bumping this to 120fps.
It is very common for PC gamers to push well beyond 60fps, going to 144, 240, and even 480fps with the LG 27GX790A, and the new ASUS ROG Swift Pro PG248QP looks to take things further with a 540Hz refresh rate.
The biggest caveat is the cost of achieving this level of performance. A PlayStation 5 or Xbox Series X will cost players approximately $449. But achieving the highest level of PC gaming performance will likely set players back in the region of $5,000 to $6,000.
PlayStation 5 Console (PS5)
$410 $500 Save
$90
The PlayStation 5 offers superior memory and graphics when you compare it to the PlayStation 4. Plus, it provides you with access to thousands of games for PS5 and PS4.
Of course, very few people will be looking to build setups this powerful. I do regularly dream about a setup like it, though, and create my hypothetical builds on PC Part Picker, hoping one day I will channel my inner Palpatine and achieve unlimited power.
6
A PC Lets You Play Games Your Way
Keyboard and mouse support is gradually becoming more popular on consoles. However, the controller is still the default input device for PlayStation, Xbox, or Nintendo platforms and all are still lagging when it comes to allowing players to game how they want to.
When it comes to PCs, you’ve got much more choice. A very large percentage of games let you choose between keyboard and mouse or controller, depending on your preferences. This allows for much more accessibility and compatibility when it comes to playing games how you want to play them.
Adaptive controllers and more unique setups can be easily used on PC if you are unable to play games with standard hardware. From the Xbox Adaptive controller, to one-handed keyboard and mouse devices, to foot pedals, accessibility is unmatched for PC gamers.
Thanks to various programs and community creations, many gimmicky peripherals can also be used, from Guitar Hero guitars to Donkey Konga bongos. This has led some gamers to complete titles in weird and wacky ways, such as Elden Ring using a dance mat.
5
You Can Play PC Games on the Go, Too
In 2025, there are more portability options than ever for PC gamers, from gaming laptops to handheld consoles.
Laptops have been around since 1981, and now many come with similar CPUs and GPUs to their desktop counterparts, with even the Nvidia RTX 4090 being available in mobile form, allowing players to experience 4K gaming on the go.
For those that want a handheld experience, options such as the Steam Deck or ROG Ally give you access to PC storefronts like Steam and Epic Games from a device that’ll easily fit in your bag.
Asus ROG Ally
$399 $465 Save
$66
Unleash portable power with the ASUS ROG Ally! This premium handheld gaming PC delivers AAA gaming performance, stunning visuals, and seamless compatibility with your favorite platforms. Play anywhere, anytime.
Although handhelds aren’t as powerful as some higher-end laptops and desktops, they offer a great experience that rivals the likes of the Switch and is much more affordable, with the Steam Deck starting at $399. Even if you decide building a PC tower isn’t for you, you can still game on a PC handheld.
4
There’s a Rich Library Spanning Decades of Gaming History
PC gaming has existed for more than 60 years. Although many early games were released for dedicated computers, such as the Apple II or Commodore 64, Windows has dominated the PC market since the early 1980s, setting the standard for gaming over the past 40 years. This means that players have access to more games on PC than any other platform.
Console libraries are much smaller, even when backward compatibility is taken into account. Both the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X do allow for backward compatibility with the previous generation, as well as offering extensive libraries for older systems via PS Plus and Xbox Game Pass. Nintendo Switch Online also allows players to access select titles from older consoles including the NES, SNES, and N64.
However, when it comes to the PC, that backward compatibility still pales in comparison. Whether you want to play Dragon’s Lair from 1983, or Avowed which came out in February 2025, both are available to play on PC.
3
PC Mods Give You Endless Gaming Possibilities
One of the greatest parts of PC gaming is the community itself. Without it, thousands of games would have been forgotten, many more wouldn’t work, and we wouldn’t be able to experience the amazing Resident Evil 2 Kendo’s Cut mod. What a time to be alive.
Many classic games, which otherwise would have been lost to time, have been revived by fans through patches to allow them to work on modern hardware. GOG also regularly brings old games back from the dead, including the company recently re-releasing the original Resident Evil trilogy and the first two Dino Crisis games on PC for the first time since the 1990s.
Fan-made mods are a great way to keep a game alive and bring new content and experiences to players who have exhausted everything there is to do in a game. From visual mods such as costume switches, to randomizers that shake up a player’s experience and keep them on their toes, to complete overhaul mods that build a new game on top of the original, there’s seemingly no end to the modded possibilites.
One of the most popular mods today is GTA roleplaying, allowing players to create their own multiplayer servers for GTA Online and roleplay with others, living out their lives as an NPC in Los Santos.
Other impressive overhaul mods include the upcoming Skyblivion, which has a group of modders recreating The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion in the Skyrim engine, bringing it in line with modern games through updated graphics, UI, mechanics, quests, and more.
Some console games do offer a basic modding experience, such as The Witcher 3 and Baldur’s Gate 3 on PS5 and Xbox Series X, but for the most part, modding isn’t possible on a console. If you want to push your experience to the limits, PC gaming is your best option.
2
You Don’t Need to Pay to Play Online (For the Most Part)
In 2002, Microsoft set a new standard by charging players a subscription to play online against other gamers. Nowadays, it’s common practice for all major consoles, with Sony and Nintendo also charging for their own online services.
Each service offers various extra perks to entice players to subscribe. PS Plus and Xbox Game Pass offer free monthly games for subscribers, ranging from first-party AAA titles, day-one releases, and smaller indie titles, as well as more premium tiers that give players access to a library of hundreds of games. Nintendo also lets players jump into dozens of blasts from the past with titles from the NES onward being playable, as well as access some select DLC for titles such as Animal Crossing: New Horizons.
However, none of this deal-sweetening is necessary for PC gamers, as the vast majority of PC games are available to play online for free. Games that do charge a fee to play online, like World of Warcraft, are exceptional in the PC world.
1
Cheaper Games Balance Out the Initial Cost
With living costs rising, video games and other luxuries can sometimes be forced to take a backseat. Major new games now cost up to $70, and even more for Deluxe and Collector’s Editions. So most gamers are forced to shop around for discounts, deals, and bundles. That’s much easier on PC than on console.
Steam is notorious for having excellent game sales, but as a PC gamer you can also buy digital games from Epic, GOG, Microsoft, and various other stores. This competition lets you shop around for the best deal, while incentivizing the digital stores to keep their prices down. It’s a different story for console gamers.
If you want to buy a digital game on a PlayStation, you can only buy it from the PS Store. On an Xbox, you’re limited to the Microsoft Store. And on Switch, you’re stuck with the Nintendo eShop. Not only does this stop console gamers from being able to shop around for the best digital deals, but each storefront has an effective monopoly over the pricing, removing any incentive to offer deep deals or keep prices in check.
The end result is that it’s much easier to build a vast library of games for less on PC than as a console gamer. So while a PC may cost more initially—depending how you spec it—you could spend less on your gaming hobby over the long run.
Steam Deck OLED
Elevate your gaming experience with the Steam Deck OLED. Immerse yourself in stunning visuals on the vibrant OLED display, while enjoying powerful performance and portability.
Whether you choose PC or console gaming comes down to your personal preference and needs as a gamer. But, if you’ve always stuck to one platform to satisfy your gaming needs, now is as good a time as any to consider other options, and PC offers a more varied and customizable experience than any other platform on the market today.
