PC gaming is on the rise. In 2025, over 1.86 billion people worldwide are gaming on PCs, and that’s growing by up to 3% every year. What was once the domain of hardcore techies is now a mainstream choice. All thanks to powerful pre-built machines, thriving online communities and a massive but growing library of games.
So what’s driving the shift and is it time to take the PC plunge? Let’s break it down.
Why is PC gaming going mainstream?
Gaming PCs can be more affordable and more powerful than ever. Pre-assembled models now come with high-end processors and graphics cards, making them ready to run the latest games straight out of the box. For around £600 you can pick up a very capable gaming PC that you can keep upgrading too.
Platforms like Steam and Discord have created massive online communities, making it easier to discover new games, chat with friends and share tips. And with Windows 11 supporting crossplay, you can even team up with console players.
PC gaming also leads the way in free-to-play titles, with games like Fortnite or League of Legends offering high-quality experiences without the price tag.
What is a gaming PC?
A gaming PC is a computer built specifically to run video games smoothly and efficiently. It typically includes:
A powerful graphics card
A fast processor
Plenty of RAM
High-capacity storage
Many gaming PCs also feature extras like RGB lighting, advanced cooling systems and upgrade-friendly designs. The result? Stunning visuals, fast load times and seamless gameplay.
What makes a good gaming PC?
Here’s what to look for when choosing a gaming PC:
Processor: High clock speeds and multiple cores are key. Intel Core i7/i9 or AMD Ryzen 5/7 are great options.
Graphics card: The heart of your setup. Look for high memory, fast speeds, and dedicated cooling. Nvidia and AMD are top brands.
RAM: Aim for at least 16GB of DDR4 RAM—more if you plan to stream or multitask.
Storage: SSDs offer lightning-fast load times. Combine a smaller SSD with a larger HDD if you're on a budget.
Cooling: Choose liquid cooling or a quality air cooler to manage heat.
Customisation: Look for upgrade-friendly designs with room to expand.
If you’re looking to buy a pre-built gaming PC, here’s our PC gaming buying guide which is loaded with helpful tips. But there’s another option. Unlike a gaming console, you can build your own.
Building a gaming PC: what you need
If you're thinking about building a gaming PC, there are a few key components you'll need to put it all together. We’ve talked about the main things to think about: CPU, GPU, RAM, storage and cooling. Here are some more things to add to your shopping list:
Power supply
The power supply provides the energy your components need to function. For a gaming PC, you'll want to aim for a power supply with at least 600 watts of power, and with an 80+ certification to ensure high efficiency.
Motherboard
The motherboard is the backbone of your gaming PC, connecting all the various components together. Make sure to choose a motherboard that is compatible with your CPU and with enough expansion slots to accommodate additional components.
Case
Finally, you'll need a case to house all your components. Choose a case that has enough room for your components, good ventilation for cooling, and that fits your aesthetic preferences.
You’ll find what you need in our gaming PCs and accessories. And if you’re ready to take the plunge but need more help here’s our Beginner’s guide to building a gaming PC.
8 reasons to choose a gaming PC
1. The gaming experience is unbeatable
While consoles offer accessible plug-in-and play fun, for a hands-down incredible gaming experience loads of us swear by a great gaming PC. The potential for playing the latest FPS blockbusters at 60-90 frames per second or much higher is really something.
For the very best experience play games in 4K. You’ll need a 4K TV or monitor, while only the best graphics cards will do. (One of the most powerful around right now is the GeForce RTX 5090.) CyberPunk 2077 and the classic Red Dead Redemption 2 are among the great 4K games available.
2. Future-proof your gaming system
As long as you have enough space in the tower you can upgrade the different components throughout the year – keeping you constantly at the cutting-edge.
You can always add more memory or a new graphics card further down the line. This can seem like a challenge, but it’s easier than you think. We’ve even created a handy guide to help you upgrade your gaming PC when the time comes.
3. They’re Virtual Reality ready
Virtual Reality keeps getting bigger, and there are plenty of powerful VR headsets that use the processing power of a gaming PC to deliver incredible new gaming worlds. Big publisher Steam is also creating games in VR. And while there are headsets (like the Meta Quest 3) that are totally standalone, the serious power of a PC should help deliver amazing performance in the longterm.
4. You can play modded versions of your favourite games
For as long as games have been played on PCs, enthusiasts have created mods to make them better. With console games, you generally have to wait for a developer to fix bugs or add more content. But on PC, there’s a huge community of fans who are doing it themselves.
From new costumes and new missions to updated graphics, mods can make you fall back in love with older games while new ones become more exciting. And they’re often free!
5. Not just for gaming
The same features that make your PC great for gaming, such as power and speed, also make it the perfect computer for day-to-day use and more. If you do a lot of photo editing or work with expansive worksheets in Excel, your gaming PC can help you get productive and creative too. Throw in a top-of-the-range 4K monitor, and you can kick back and watch Netflix too.
6. They have Steam
Steam is an online PC gaming service with 132 million users worldwide! And you won’t run out of things to play, since there are currently 70,000 games in the Steam library! You can always pick up plenty of titles on sale, play demos of new games and see what everybody else is playing. Once installed on your PC, you can download and buy games that are saved in your own online library.
7. And play nicely with Xbox Series X|S
Windows is committed to narrowing the gap between console and PC gamers. Games bought digitally can be played on both PC and Xbox with the Windows’ Play Anywhere feature. You can start a game on your desktop PC then pick it up later from the couch on your Xbox. Plus, you can play against friends online on their Xbox while you’re playing on your Windows 11 PC.
8. Better aim and more control
When transitioning from console to gaming on a PC you can still use your Xbox controller for playing games. But if you want better precision, especially with first-person shooters, you can’t beat the mouse and keyboard.
And, depending on the game (and the keyboard you're playing on), you can set up your favourite hotkeys all over your keyboard for game play. Real-time strategy games benefit the most from a mouse/keyboard setup.
What’s next?
Have we convinced you yet? Be sure to check out our PC gaming buying guide and keep up-to-date with everything with our PC gaming news.
