The debate between console gaming and PC gaming has been ongoing for decades, with cost often being a decisive factor. Consoles like the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S offer a ready-to-go experience at a fixed price, while gaming PCs are known for flexibility but come with a higher upfront cost—until now.
A well-known YouTuber, Linus Tech Tips, decided to put this assumption to the test by attempting to build a gaming PC for less than €500, roughly the price of a PS5. The goal? To see if a custom-built PC could rival the performance of Sony’s flagship console. Using a mix of second-hand parts, he managed to assemble a rig for just €436. The results, however, revealed both promise and pitfalls.
Building a Budget Gaming PC: The Hardware
Linus’s build featured some savvy component choices. For the CPU, he opted for the Ryzen 5 5600X, a capable mid-range processor that’s excellent for gaming and multitasking. For the GPU, he chose Intel’s Arc A770 16GB, a card comparable to NVIDIA’s RTX 4060 or AMD’s RX 7600. By sourcing used and refurbished components, Linus significantly cut costs, proving that a budget-conscious PC build is possible.
But a gaming PC isn’t just about assembling parts; compatibility and optimization play crucial roles in delivering smooth performance. Here’s where the project faced its first hurdles.
Performance Comparison: PC vs PS5
On paper, Linus’s PC seemed like it could give the PS5 a run for its money. However, the real-world results were mixed. In games like Doom Eternal, the PC struggled to maintain consistent frame rates, dipping as low as 20–30 FPS due to driver and software issues with the Intel GPU. After some tweaking and adjustments, performance improved, reaching levels comparable to the PS5—but not without significant effort.
One notable disadvantage was the PC’s handling of HDR (High Dynamic Range). The PS5 delivers vibrant, realistic HDR visuals seamlessly, but the PC’s implementation felt clunky and less polished. For gamers who value plug-and-play simplicity, this difference could be a dealbreaker.
The Verdict: Can a €436 PC Match a PS5?
Despite its challenges, the budget PC did prove that with enough patience, it’s possible to build a machine that rivals the PS5 in raw performance. However, there are caveats. Finding second-hand parts, troubleshooting driver issues, and tweaking settings require both time and technical know-how.
Moreover, the final cost of the PC didn’t account for peripherals like a controller, keyboard, or mouse, which would push the total closer to the PS5’s price. For those without experience building PCs, the appeal of a pre-assembled console with guaranteed compatibility and polished features becomes clear.
Linus himself acknowledged that gaming PCs might need another year or two before they can truly compete with consoles in terms of price-to-performance ratio for budget builds.
Consoles vs PCs: Do We Really Need to Pick a Side?
While the experiment highlighted the strengths and weaknesses of both platforms, it also underscored the unique advantages of each. Consoles offer a streamlined experience, optimized for gaming out of the box. PCs, on the other hand, provide unparalleled customization, allowing gamers to tailor their setups to their exact preferences.
In the end, the choice comes down to what you value most: the simplicity and reliability of a console or the flexibility and potential of a gaming PC. And maybe, just maybe, we don’t need to pick a side—after all, there’s room for both in the gaming world.