When it comes to gaming computers, most people prefer to go for a gaming desktop computer over a laptop. Generally, gaming desktop computers are easier to upgrade specific hardware, which tends to make it better in the long run. However, one underlying question yet to be answered is how long does a gaming PC last?
The longevity of a gaming PC depends on the quality of its mechanism. But on average, a gaming PC can last up to five years before you start noticing performance degrades. And if you are lucky with good maintenance, it could last up to eight years.
A gaming PC tends to have much longer longevity than a laptop. This is because anytime a gaming PC is broken or needs an upgrade, you can easily replace the parts at a cheap rate. This way, your gaming PC can last for years without compromising performance.
Keep reading to learn more about the longevity of a gaming PC.
The Lifespan of Common Gaming PC Categories
With proper maintenance, a gaming PC should last forever, that is, if you are willing to continue updating its parts and hardware. But if you are not a fan of upgrading parts of your gaming PC, then a gaming PC should last you a decent amount of years, depending on the quality of the build.
Below, we will take a look at the longevity of different categories of gaming PC based on their quality.
PC #1: Low-End Gaming PC
Generally, low-end gaming PCs are built with less expensive hardware. In other words, low-end gaming PCs have the lowest specs. Averagely, a low-end gaming PC should last around 2 to 3 years, depending on usage. Low-end gaming PCs can handle low graphics and low resolution conveniently. Trying to use a low-end gaming PC for high graphics games will overwork the PC causing it to overheat and lag, amongst other things, which will make it depreciate faster.
PC #2: Mid-End Gaming PC
Mid-end gaming PCs are a bit more expensive than low-end gaming PCs because they are built with higher-performing hardware, giving them better specs. Although mid-end gaming PCs are more affordable, they require frequent upgrades to keep up with the latest games. As such, this category of gaming PC can last up to 3 to 5 years.
PC #3: High-End Gaming PC
High-end gaming PCs have the most advanced hardware, although they are the most expensive ones. Nevertheless, they have the best specs and can last around 7 to 10 years. After this period, you will need to upgrade certain hardware to keep enjoying the ultimate gaming experience.
PC #4: Pre-Built Gaming PC
A pre-built gaming PC is often cheaper than a custom-built gaming PC. However, a pre-built gaming PC can last about 4 to 5 years with good maintenance. Unfortunately, it isn’t easy to find a pre-built gaming PC with features or identical performance as a custom-built gaming PC for the same price.
Note that the lifespan of gaming PCs given above is dependent on the PC functioning under ideal conditions. Several factors can impact the lifespan of the gaming PC.
How To Extend the Lifespan of a Gaming PC
Gaming PCs are one of the best investments for a gamer. They make it easy for you to explore the world of new games, graphics, and hardware. But as you can see above, gaming PCs have a limited lifespan. Meanwhile, it is possible to extend the life expectancy of your gaming PC to a certain level. Below, we highlight some tips and tricks you can use to extend the lifespan of your gaming PC.
Tip #1: Manage Overclocking Frequency
While overclocking your gaming PC will improve performance, it can also harm the CPU and GPU. Most users overclock their gaming PCs’ CPU and GPU to make them run faster than the manufacturer specified. Hence, if you don’t manage the overclocking frequency of your gaming PC to function optimally, you could damage your processor, motherboard, and several other components.
Tip #2: Ensure CPU Is Not Overheating
All gaming PCs come with a graphics card, be they integrated or dedicated, which comes in handy with graphics processes. However, games, particularly high-end games, are hardware-intensive and consume much power. This causes a lot of heat which can damage your hardware. Hence, ensuring your gaming PC is well-vented and not overheating can help extend its lifespan.
Tip #3: Clean the Registry
When you want to clean the registry, be careful not to delete important files, as this can seriously affect your PC. Similarly, cleaning your registry can help boost the performance of your PC. Too many junk files on your PC will occupy valuable resources, which causes your PC to be constantly overworking. However, cleaning up the registry will free up those valuable resources to handle other processes.
Tip #4: Avoid Downloading From Unknown Sources
Downloading files from unknown sources exposes your PC to viruses and spyware that can damage your gaming PC. So, to extend the lifespan of your PC, do not download files from unknown sources. If you must download files from unknown sources, ensure you have a powerful antivirus enabled on your PC.
Tip #5: Upgrade the Hardware
Finally, upgrading the hardware of your gaming PCs can add a few years to the lifespan. After this, you may start encountering compatibility issues. So, updating your hardware, including the motherboard, will allow you to run modern games on your PC.
RAMs of gaming PCs have an average lifespan of 10 years, most GPUs have a lifespan of 5 years, while CPUs have a lifespan of 2 to 3 years.
Conclusion
As you can see from this guide, a gaming PC will serve you for a decent amount of years before it starts giving out. You can even extend the expected lifespan of your gaming PC by following through with the tips we shared in this guide.
What often makes a gaming PC no longer functional is that it becomes outdated to run modern games. However, upgrading certain hardware on the gaming PC may bring it back to life to run modern games effectively.
