PC vs console: the age-old gamer’s debate. There are plenty of factors to weigh up, from cost and customisation to graphics and gaming style. But is there a clear winner in the gaming PC vs console battle? In this guide, we’ll break it all down so you can decide which is the best fit for your setup, whether it’s a PC, PS5, Xbox Series X, or Switch 2.
- Budget breakdown
- Graphics and visuals
- Latency
- Customisation and upgrades
- Ease of use
- Gaming styles and genres
- Exclusive games: The deal breakers?
- The low down: Xbox X vs PS5 vs PC
Budget breakdown
Both PCs and consoles vary in terms of price point, with budget-friendly and high-end options available for each. Gaming PCs start at around £700 for entry-level builds and can climb to £4000+ for top-tier rigs — see our gaming PC budget guide for a more detailed lowdown. Consoles, on the other hand, usually sit between £200 and £500 for the latest generation. At first glance, consoles look like the obvious winner — but it’s not that simple.
One of the reasons a PC is better than a console in terms of budget is its longevity. Sure, when it comes to comparing PC vs PS5 (or even PS5 Pro), a gaming PC will have a higher upfront cost. But fast forward a few years, when the PS6 (or whatever Sony calls it) lands, PC gamers will be the real winners. In most instances, when the new generation arrives, the old one is left behind pretty sharpish — just think about how outdated the PS4 feels compared to the PS5 now.
Another factor to consider in the gaming PC vs console budget debate is versatility. You can use your gaming PC for far more than just gaming. It can handle work, browsing, streaming, and content creation, making it far more useful day-to-day.
Winner: Console in the short term, PC in the long term
Graphics and visuals
You can’t overstate the importance of graphics and visuals when gaming. Yes, you want your game to look good, but it’s about more than just appearance. Poor visuals lead to poor (and frustrating) gameplay. If you want smooth and sharp gaming, you need your game to look good.
FPS
FPS (frames per second) is a key component of gaming visuals. Want to find out more? Read our guide to FPS for a deep dive. In most instances, PC is better than console with FPS. Entry-level gaming PCs can push 60 FPS with medium settings, while mid-range rigs can comfortably run 120–144 FPS at 1080p. With high-end PCs, you’re looking at 240 FPS, or even 360 FPS in esports titles. You also have the option to improve your FPS even further for maximum performance.
Most consoles pale in comparison to PC FPS rates. With the Switch 2, PS5 and Xbox Series X and S, most games are locked at 30 FPS or 60 FPS. A handful of titles have 120 FPS “performance modes,” but only if you’ve got a compatible TV or monitor.
GPU
When it comes to graphics, the GPU (graphics processing unit) is king. This is the component that dictates how good your games look and how smoothly they run. PCs let you choose and upgrade your GPU whenever you want, so you can always keep up with the latest titles.
Consoles, on the other hand, come with a fixed GPU. The PS5 and Xbox Series X/S pack impressive graphics power for their price, but you’re locked into that hardware for the life of the console. As the years go by and games demand more, consoles with a fixed GPU can struggle to keep up.
RAM
RAM doesn’t directly impact visuals and graphics performance, but it does impact how smoothly they are delivered. If you don’t have enough RAM, games may stutter, textures may load slowly, and frame rates can drop, so it’s definitely worth considering when choosing a gaming platform.
16GB is the standard for gaming PCs, but many players opt for 32GB or more if they’re running AAA titles, multitasking, or streaming while gaming. You also have the option to add extra RAM when needed. On consoles, RAM is fixed. Both the PS5 and Xbox Series X/S come with 16GB of memory, while the Switch 2 comes with 12GB.
Resolution
Resolution is one of the main areas where PCs stand out. With the right hardware, PCs can comfortably push 4K gaming at high frame rates, and some top-tier rigs are even capable of 8K in select titles. Add in features like ray tracing and ultra textures, and you’ve got an unbeatable visual experience. PCs also let you tweak every setting so you can decide whether to prioritise visuals or performance.
Consoles do hold their own with resolution, but they are capped at what their fixed GPU can do. You don’t get the same freedom to push higher resolutions, play around with graphical settings, or use cutting-edge features like you can on PC.
Winner: PC wins them all — FPS, GPU, RAM, and resolution
Latency
Latency is the delay between your input and the game’s response — the lower it is, the more responsive your gameplay feels. Make sure to read our guide on latency in gaming for the full lowdown.
When it comes to PC gaming vs console gaming, PC tends to have the advantage. With PCs, you have the option to invest in high-quality 144Hz or even 240Hz monitors, which come with higher refresh rates. In comparison, the Switch 2, Xbox Series X/S, and PS5/PS5 Pro offer a maximum 120Hz refresh rate, limiting their potential for ultra-low latency gameplay.
PCs also allow for more customisation when it comes to CPUs and GPUs, which have an impact on latency. Even if you start off with a lower-end PC, you can upgrade and reduce latency with more powerful CPU and GPU options. Need some tips for choosing the right one? Read our guide to the best CPU for gaming. You can also choose peripherals (mice, keyboards, etc) with ultra-low latency to reduce lag even further.
Winner: PC
Customisation and upgrades
One of the factors which makes PCs better than consoles for gaming is the range of customisation and upgrade options. Consoles tend to come with everything a casual gamer needs, but being closed systems, upgrade options are extremely limited. A gaming PC, on the other hand, gives you far more control.
You can upgrade almost every part of a pre-built gaming PC, from your hardware like CPU, GPU, and RAM, to peripherals like keyboards, mice, and monitors. Looking for some inspo? Find out what to upgrade later here.
What’s more, you can craft the exact setup you need with a custom PC. This allows you to personalise performance for your favourite games, making your gaming experience unique to you. Not sure which option to choose? Read our guide to custom-built vs pre-built PCs.
Customisation doesn’t stop at hardware — it extends to the games themselves, too. With a PC, you have the option to play with mods to improve gameplay, visuals, or add entirely new experiences. Mod options are much more limited on consoles.
Winner: PC
Ease of use
For gaming newbies or families looking to game together, consoles tend to have the upper hand. They offer intuitive controls, which are ideal for younger players. And with minimal setup, console gaming allows you to just plug in and go.
That said, PCs can be made more user-friendly with a few very simple tweaks. For example, you can connect controllers to your PC or use custom key mapping to make for easier controls. And although a custom build may take a little more time setting up, pre-built gaming PCs are designed to plug in and go, so you can get straight to it.
Consoles are also simpler to maintain, thanks to fewer components and a closed system. Beyond occasional software updates and keeping dust at bay, there’s little to take care of yourself. PCs, on the other hand, require a bit more attention. You’ll need to clean out dust, update drivers, and occasionally check that all hardware components are running smoothly. While this might sound like extra work, these small tasks will help your gaming PC run at peak performance for years. For a detailed guide, check out our tips on gaming PC care.
Winner: Console
Gaming styles and genres
The type of games you enjoy also plays a big role when deciding between a PC or a console. For RPGs and MMOs, PCs tend to have the edge thanks to their powerful hardware, which is ideal for managing expansive worlds and multiple players. Racing sims perform well on both platforms, especially if you use specialised peripherals like racing wheels. For casual or co-op gaming, consoles are often the go-to thanks to their straightforward setup and multiplayer features. But these games can easily be enjoyed on a PC, too.
Portability is another factor to consider. Gaming laptops can bridge the gap between PCs and handheld consoles, giving you high performance on the go. For more details, check out our guides on the best gaming laptops in 2025 and whether a gaming PC or laptop is right for you.
Winner: Depends on your preferred gaming style and setup
Exclusive games: The deal breakers?
You can have the most powerful gaming platform in the world, but if it’s missing that one game you can’t live without, it can be a deal breaker. Each console has exclusive titles which aren’t on other consoles, from Zelda and Mario titles on Switch 2 to The Last of Us on PlayStation and Halo on Xbox.
PCs, however, have an advantage: many former console exclusives eventually make their way onto PC, including titles like God of War and The Last of Us Part I. The exception here is Nintendo titles, which are notoriously always console exclusives.
PC gaming comes with its own exclusive titles too, including League of Legends and World of Warcraft. PC is also the go-to platform for indie titles, with many launching on Steam or Epic Games before they reach consoles.
Winner: Depends on the game you’re after, but PC takes the crown for choice
The low down: Xbox X vs PS5 vs PC
Still need some help deciding which option is right for you? Whether you’re stuck between PC vs PS5 or Xbox vs PC, use our handy comparison table* below to find which is best for your style of gaming.
| Category | Gaming PC | PS5 | PS5 Pro | Xbox Series X | Xbox Series S | Switch 2 |
| Price range | £700–£4000+ | £430–£480 | £650–£700 | £450–£500 | £280–£300 | £395.99 |
| FPS | 60–360+ (depends on GPU/CPU & settings) | 30–60 (some at 120 in performance mode) | 60–120 (target) | 30–60 (some at 120 in performance mode) | 30–60 | 30–60 (select titles up to 120) |
| GPU | Choice of AMD/NVIDIA cards, fully upgradeable | Custom AMD RDNA 2 | Custom AMD RDNA 3+ | Custom AMD RDNA 2 | Custom AMD RDNA 2 | Custom NVIDIA |
| CPU | Fully customisable, wide range (Intel/AMD) | Custom AMD Zen 2 (8-core) | Custom AMD Zen 2 (8-core), able to boost to higher clock speeds (3.85 GHz) | Custom AMD Zen 2 (8-core) | Custom AMD Zen 2 (8-core) | ARM Cortex-A78C CPU |
| RAM | 16GB standard, upgradeable to 32GB+ | 16GB | 16GB | 16GB | 10GB | 12GB |
| Latency | Lowest potential (with high Hz monitor & peripherals) | Low (but locked hardware) | Lower than PS5 (with 120Hz support) | Low (but locked hardware) | Medium (lower specs) | Higher (portable, capped hardware) |
| Upgrade potential | Almost unlimited | None | None | None | None | None |
| Portability | PC itself is not portable, but can be used with a Steam Deck | Not portable | Not portable | Not portable | Not portable | Portable |
| Game library size | Largest (Steam, Epic, Origin, GOG, etc) | Large + PlayStation exclusives | Same as PS5 | Large + Xbox exclusives + Game Pass | Same as series X | Nintendo exclusives (Zelda, Mario, etc), plus access to non-Nintendo titles |
| Ease of use | Pre-built PC: Plug-and-play Custom-built: Medium (setup/customisation required, but flexible) | Plug-and-play | Plug-and-play | Plug-and-play | Plug-and-play | Plug-and-play |
So who wins the PC vs console battle? If you’re a serious gamer, the answer is simple. The gaming PC trumps the console in memory, graphics, performance, and customisation options, plus it has the largest selection of games. While a console may be convenient for casual gamers, it’s safe to say that overall, PC gaming takes the crown.
Ready to invest in a gaming PC? Explore the full range on offer at CyberPowerPC UK. With a choice of NVIDIA, Intel, and AMD gaming PCs to choose from, you’re sure to find the perfect option for your gaming style. Not sure where to start? Check out our selection of gaming PC bundles and best sellers, or read the rest of our blog for more gaming tips and advice.
*All comparison table data is correct as of 22/08/2025