Total Cost: $0
Based on your component selections.
Understanding Your PC Build Cost
Building a custom PC can be a rewarding experience, allowing you to tailor a machine to your specific needs and budget. One of the most crucial aspects of planning a PC build is accurately estimating its total cost. This calculator simplifies that process by summing up the individual costs of the essential components that make up a typical desktop computer.
The Components and Their Costs
Each component plays a vital role, and their prices can vary dramatically based on performance, brand, and features. Here's a breakdown of what each input represents:
CPU Cost: The Central Processing Unit (CPU), often called the "brain" of the computer, handles most of the processing. Costs range from budget-friendly options for basic tasks to high-end processors for demanding gaming and professional workloads.
Motherboard Cost: The motherboard is the backbone connecting all other components. Its cost depends on the chipset, features (like Wi-Fi, number of M.2 slots), and form factor (ATX, Micro-ATX, ITX).
RAM Cost: Random Access Memory (RAM) is crucial for multitasking and application performance. Costs are influenced by the total capacity (e.g., 16GB, 32GB), speed (MHz), and DDR generation (DDR4, DDR5).
GPU Cost: The Graphics Processing Unit (GPU), or graphics card, is essential for gaming, video editing, and other graphically intensive tasks. This is often one of the most expensive components, with prices varying widely based on performance tiers.
Storage Cost: This includes the cost of your hard drives (HDDs) or solid-state drives (SSDs). SSDs are significantly faster and commonly used for the operating system and frequently accessed applications/games, while HDDs offer more storage at a lower cost per gigabyte.
Power Supply Unit (PSU) Cost: The PSU provides power to all components. Its cost depends on its wattage (must be sufficient for your build), efficiency rating (e.g., 80 Plus Bronze, Gold), and modularity.
PC Case Cost: The enclosure for your components. Costs vary based on materials, size, airflow design, aesthetics, and included features like RGB lighting or fan controllers.
CPU Cooler Cost: While many CPUs come with a stock cooler, aftermarket coolers (air or liquid AIOs) offer better thermal performance, quieter operation, and can be necessary for overclocking or high-end CPUs.
Operating System Cost: The software that manages your computer's hardware and software resources (e.g., Windows, macOS, Linux). While Linux is often free, Windows licenses have a cost.
Peripherals Cost: This category covers all external devices necessary for interaction, such as monitors, keyboards, mice, webcams, and speakers.
How the Calculator Works
This calculator uses a simple summation formula to provide a Total PC Build Cost. It adds up the individual dollar amounts you enter for each component.
Total PC Build Cost = CPU Cost + Motherboard Cost + RAM Cost + GPU Cost + Storage Cost + PSU Cost + Case Cost + CPU Cooler Cost + OS Cost + Peripherals Cost
By inputting the estimated or actual costs for each part, you get an immediate and accurate total, helping you stay within your budget and plan your purchases effectively. This tool is ideal for first-time builders, those upgrading their systems, or anyone looking for a clear financial overview of their next PC project.
function calculateBuildCost() {
var cpuCost = parseFloat(document.getElementById("cpuCost").value);
var motherboardCost = parseFloat(document.getElementById("motherboardCost").value);
var ramCost = parseFloat(document.getElementById("ramCost").value);
var gpuCost = parseFloat(document.getElementById("gpuCost").value);
var storageCost = parseFloat(document.getElementById("storageCost").value);
var psuCost = parseFloat(document.getElementById("psuCost").value);
var caseCost = parseFloat(document.getElementById("caseCost").value);
var coolerCost = parseFloat(document.getElementById("coolerCost").value);
var osCost = parseFloat(document.getElementById("osCost").value);
var peripheralsCost = parseFloat(document.getElementById("peripheralsCost").value);
var totalCost = 0;
if (!isNaN(cpuCost)) {
totalCost += cpuCost;
}
if (!isNaN(motherboardCost)) {
totalCost += motherboardCost;
}
if (!isNaN(ramCost)) {
totalCost += ramCost;
}
if (!isNaN(gpuCost)) {
totalCost += gpuCost;
}
if (!isNaN(storageCost)) {
totalCost += storageCost;
}
if (!isNaN(psuCost)) {
totalCost += psuCost;
}
if (!isNaN(caseCost)) {
totalCost += caseCost;
}
if (!isNaN(coolerCost)) {
totalCost += coolerCost;
}
if (!isNaN(osCost)) {
totalCost += osCost;
}
if (!isNaN(peripheralsCost)) {
totalCost += peripheralsCost;
}
document.getElementById("result").innerHTML = "Total Cost: $" + totalCost.toFixed(2) +
"Based on your component selections.";
}