1.1K
The Xbox Series S is still one of the best entry-level gaming options in 2025, but if you value flexibility, modding, or future upgrades, you can build a PC that performs on par with it—though the final cost may surprise you.
The Series S is optimized for 1080p gaming performance, with some titles supporting 1440p at 60 FPS. Its Xbox Series S ray tracing PC capabilities and Xbox Series S teraflops make it a solid choice for Game Pass budget gaming, but console-specific optimizations give it an edge over raw specs. Our goal is to create a PC build for next-gen games that matches or exceeds this performance using off-the-shelf parts.
The cost to build a PC like Xbox Series S is $865 (500GB) or $895 (1TB), compared to $329 (512GB) or $428 (1TB) for the Xbox Series S. This budget gaming PC beats the Series S at 1080p and can be upgraded later—but it does cost more than the console.
Microsoft Xbox Series S/X Wireless Controller
1. Introduction
Most gamers know the struggle: consoles like the Xbox Series S give you an easy way to enjoy modern titles without spending a fortune, but they lock you into fixed hardware. On the other hand, a gaming PC offers endless flexibility—upgrades, mods, and a massive game library—but the price tag can be intimidating. So, here’s the real question: how much would it actually cost in 2025 to build a gaming PC that matches the performance of the Xbox Series S? As technology experts with over 20 years of experience in hardware and application research and development, we deeply analyze each product based on real-world performance, durability, and value for money. Our goal is to help you find the best product in every category—budget, performance, reliability, and long-term usage. And if you’re a budget-conscious gamer, a student looking for an affordable setup, or a console player curious about switching to PC, this guide was written for you. In this blog, we’ll break down the cost of building a PC equivalent to the Xbox Series S, compare performance at 1080p gaming, and weigh whether building your own rig is worth it in 2025. You’ll see exactly which components can match Xbox Series S performance, what they cost right now, and whether you’re better off sticking with a console or building your own budget gaming PC.2. Why This Review Matters
For years, console gamers have leaned on the simplicity of “plug and play,” while PC players enjoy the freedom of upgrades and customization. The Xbox Series S is a great budget-friendly console, but it’s starting to hit limits with some of today’s demanding AAA titles. That’s why the idea of building a budget gaming PC 2025 with Xbox Series S performance is so appealing—it offers the same performance today with the option to upgrade tomorrow. This review matters because it gives you more than just a price list—it gives you a clear, real- world roadmap. Whether you’re curious about the Xbox Series S equivalent PC build cost, the advantages of owning a PC for console-style gaming, or whether the extra flexibility is worth the investment, you’ll find answers here.2.1 What You Will Learn from This Blog
- The exact cost to build a PC for Xbox Series S performance in 2025, with a full component
- How a budget 1080p gaming PC build stacks up against the Series S in both performance and
- Why components like the AMD Ryzen 5 3600 PC build and an RX 6600 gaming PC are key for RDNA 2 architecture
- The pros and cons of a gaming PC vs the Xbox Series S in terms of cost, upgradability, and overall
- Smart tips to save on PC components based on current price
- Whether a cost-effective PC for console gaming is worth your money—or if the Series S still wins on
3. Understanding the Xbox Series S’s Hardware
To build a PC matching the Xbox Series S specs, we first need to understand its hardware.Here’s a breakdown of the Xbox Series S’s key components:
| Component | Xbox Series S Specs |
| CPU | Custom Zen 2, 8-core, 3.6 GHz (3.4 GHz with SMT) |
| GPU | Custom RDNA 2, 4 teraflops, 12 Compute Units at 1.55 GHz, hardware ray-tracing |
| RAM | 10GB GDDR6 (shared between CPU and GPU) |
| Storage | 512GB or 1TB PCIe Gen4 NVMe SSD |
| OS | Custom Xbox OS |
4. Component Breakdown: Building the PC
Here’s a detailed look at the components for a budget gaming PC 2025 that rivals the Xbox Series S. Each choice balances cost, compatibility, and next-gen gaming hardware performance for PC gaming on a budget.4.1 CPU: AMD Ryzen 5 3600
The Xbox Series S’s Zen 2 CPU PC build is an 8-core processor, but for our AMD Ryzen processor gaming build, we’ll choose the AMD Ryzen 5 3600, a 6-core, 12-thread CPU with a boost clock up to 4.2 GHz. It’s a strong contender for a PC build for 1080p gaming due to its high single- threaded performance, which is critical for gaming.- Why this CPU? The Ryzen 5 3600 offers excellent value for a budget PC build for Xbox Series S gaming, matching the Series S’s Zen 2 CPU performance in most gaming It pairs well with mid-range GPUs, avoiding bottlenecks. We chose the Ryzen 5 3600 because it remains widely available on the used market at low prices, making it the best budget option for Series S-level performance in 2025—even if newer chips like the Ryzen 5 5500 or Intel i3-12100F exist at similar performance levels.
- Price: $75
- Buy Now: AMD Ryzen 5 3600 6-Core, 12-Thread Unlocked Desktop Processor
4.2 GPU: ASRock RX 6600 8GB
The Series S’s Xbox Series S GPU equivalent is an RDNA 2-based GPU with 4 teraflops and Xbox Series S ray tracing PC support. We’ll select the ASRock RX 6600 8GB, which offers 9 teraflops and 8GB GDDR6 for RDNA 2 GPU for PC gaming. It’s ideal for 1080p gaming performance and can handle 1440p in many titles.- Why this GPU? The RX 6600 takes advantage of RDNA 2’s strengths for smoother gaming, making it a great choice for a cost-effective PC for console It outperforms the Series S in non-optimized PC games. While newer GPUs like the RX 7600 exist, the RX 6600 is chosen here because it offers better value in 2025, with lower prices and wide availability on the used market.
- Price: $220
- Buy Now: ASRock RX 6600 8GB CLD Challenger D
4.3 RAM: Crucial 16GB DDR4 (3200MHz)
The Series S uses 10GB of shared Xbox Series S memory specs (GDDR6). Our PC build for Game Pass gaming will use Crucial 16GB DDR4 (3200MHz) in a 2x8GB setup, complemented by the RX 6600’s 8GB GDDR6.- Why this RAM? 16GB DDR4 is perfect for PC gaming on a budget, ensuring smooth performance for next-gen It’s more flexible than the Series S’s shared memory.
- Price: $54
- Buy Now: Crucial 16GB DDR4 RAM, 3200MHz
4.4 Storage: Crucial P3 Plus 500GB or 1TB PCIe Gen4 NVMe SSD
The Xbox Series S uses a proprietary PCIe Gen4 NVMe SSD for next-gen gaming, which allows for fast load times. However, you cannot use a standard NVMe SSD like the Crucial P3 Plus to expand the internal storage. The Series S only supports officially licensed expansion cards that plug into a dedicated port on the back of the console. The Crucial P3 Plus is a Gen4 SSD that delivers sequential read speeds of up to 5,000 MB/s. The confusion likely comes from the Crucial P3, which is an older Gen3 model with speeds of up to 3,500 MB/s.- Why this SSD? It matches the Series S’s storage performance, supporting DirectStorage for affordable PC for current-gen
- Price: $46 (500GB) or $76 (1TB)
- Buy Now (500GB):Crucial P3 Plus 500GB PCIe Gen4 NVMe SSD
- Buy Now (1TB): Crucial P3 Plus 1TB PCIe Gen4 NVMe SSD
4.5 Motherboard: ASUS Prime B550M-A WiFi II
The ASUS Prime B550M-A WiFi II supports our AMD Ryzen 5 3600 PC build, offering PCIe 4.0 and WiFi 6 for PC components for the Xbox Series S.- Why this motherboard? It’s a reliable, affordable choice for a budget PC gaming setup, ensuring compatibility and future-proofing.
- Price: $120
- Buy Now: ASUS Prime B550M-A WiFi II
4.6 Power Supply: MSI MAG A650BE 650W 80+ Bronze
The MSI MAG A650BE 650W 80+ Bronze is the best power supply for a gaming PC, ensuring stable power for our cost-effective PC for console gaming.- Why this PSU? Its efficiency and reliability make it ideal for a budget GPU for a gaming
- Price: $70
- Buy Now: MSI MAG A650BE Gaming Power Supply
4.7 Case: Cooler Master MasterBox Q300L
The Cooler Master MasterBox Q300L is a compact, ventilated case for our affordable gaming rig 2025.- Why this case? It’s budget-friendly and supports our Micro-ATX motherboard for PC gaming on a
- Price: $40
- Buy Now: Cooler Master MasterBox Q300L
4.8 Peripherals: Verbatim Wireless Keyboard and Mouse Combo, Anker HDMI Cable
The Verbatim Wireless Keyboard and Mouse Combo ($20) and Anker HDMI 2.1 Cable ($10) cover basic input and display needs for PC gaming vs console cost.- Why these peripherals? They’re affordable and functional for a budget PC gaming
- Price: $20 (Keyboard/Mouse), $10 (HDMI)
- Buy Now (Keyboard/Mouse): Verbatim Wireless Keyboard and Mouse Combo
- Buy Now (HDMI): Anker HDMI 1 Cable
4.9 Controller: Xbox Series S/X Wireless Controller
The Xbox Series S/X Wireless Controller ($70) replicates the console experience for PC build for Game Pass gaming.- Why this controller? It’s ergonomic and compatible, perfect for a custom PC for console gaming.
- Price: $70
- Buy Now: Microsoft Xbox Series S/X Wireless Controller
4.10 Operating System: Windows 11 Home
Windows 11 Home ($140 via Microsoft Store) ensures compatibility with next-gen games and DirectStorage for the Xbox Series S performance PC. Many PC builders, however, choose cheaper OEM keys, often available for under $30, which can help lower the total build cost.- Why Windows 11? It’s essential for a PC build for modern games and Game Pass budget
- Price: $140
5. Cost Comparison: PC Build vs. Xbox Series S
Here’s the updated PC build cost comparison for our Xbox Series S equivalent PC build:| Component | Cost (500GB SSD) | Cost (1TB SSD) |
| CPU (AMD Ryzen 5 3600) | $75 | $75 |
| GPU (ASRock RX 6600 8GB) | $220 | $220 |
| RAM (Crucial 16GB DDR4) | $54 | $54 |
| Storage (Crucial P3 Plus) | $46 (500GB) | $76 (1TB) |
| Motherboard (ASUS B550M) | $120 | $120 |
| PSU (MSI MAG A650BE) | $70 | $70 |
| Case (Cooler Master Q300L) | $40 | $40 |
| Keyboard/Mouse (Verbatim) | $20 | $20 |
| HDMI Cable (Anker) | $10 | $10 |
| Controller (Xbox) | $70 | $70 |
| OS (Windows 11 Home) | $140 | $140 |
| Total | $865 | $895 |
| Platform | Cost | |
| Xbox Series S (512GB) | $329 | |
| Xbox Series S (1TB) | $428 |
6. Performance Comparison: PC vs. Xbox Series S
Our Xbox Series S PC build outperforms the console in several areas:
- CPU: The AMD Ryzen 5 3600 offers superior single-threaded performance for 1080p gaming, despite fewer
- GPU: The RX 6600 delivers 9 teraflops the Series S’s 4, giving you smoother ray tracing and even 1440p support.
- RAM: 16GB DDR4 plus 8GB GDDR6 outperforms the Series S’s 10GB shared Xbox Series S memory
- Storage: The Crucial P3 Plus comes close to Series S storage speeds, delivering up to 5,000 MB/s, which is fast enough for DirectStorage-enabled PC
- Flexibility: The PC build for next-gen games supports upgrades and modding, unlike the fixed Xbox Series S hardware
- The Xbox Series S performance PC excels at 1440p and ray tracing without breaking the
- It’s more future-proof for next-gen gaming hardware as the Series S struggles with 2025
- The PC gaming vs console cost is higher, but the benefits justify the investment for
7. Pros and Cons: PC Build vs. Xbox Series S
| Aspect | PC Build | Xbox Series S |
| Cost | $865–$895, higher PC build cost comparison | $329–$428, ideal for Game Pass budget gaming |
| Performance | Superior 1080p gaming performance and ray tracing on a budget PC | Optimized for 1080p, struggles with some next-gen games |
| Upgradability | Fully upgradable PC components for Xbox Series S | Fixed Xbox Series S hardware specs |
| Game Library | Steam, Epic, and PC build for Game Pass gaming, plus modding | Xbox Game Pass, limited to the Xbox ecosystem |
| Ease of Use | Requires setup and troubleshooting for PC gaming on a budget | Plug-and-play for gaming console vs PC |
| Portability | Bulky, less portable custom PC for console gaming | Compact, easy to set up |
8.Is It Worth It?
The cost to build a PC as powerful as the Xbox Series S 2025 is significantly higher than the console’s price, but the Xbox Series S equivalent PC build cost offers unmatched flexibility. With a budget gaming PC 2025, you get better 1080p gaming performance, ray tracing on a budget PC, and the ability to upgrade for next-gen gaming hardware. The Series S still offers unbeatable value for Game Pass players.- Choose the PC build for modern games if you want upgradability and
- Opt for the Series S for a cost-effective PC for console gaming alternative with minimal
9. Tips to Save Money on Your PC Build
- Buy Used Parts: Platforms like eBay can lower the cost of gaming PC components for a budget PC gaming
- Older Tech: An affordable GPU option, like the RX 580, can still match the Xbox Series S performance PC at a lower
- Skip the Controller: Save $70 by using keyboard and mouse for PC gaming on a budget.
- Linux Alternative: Use Linux with Steam Proton to avoid the PC gaming vs console cost of Windows
- Shop Deals: Monitor PC component price trends on Newegg or Micro Center for
10. Conclusion
Building a PC matching Xbox Series S specs in 2025 costs $865 (500GB) or $895 (1TB), compared to the Xbox Series S’s $329 (512GB) or $428 (1TB). The best budget gaming PC 2025 offers superior 1080p gaming performance, entry-level ray tracing support, and upgradability, making it a great choice for a PC build for next-gen games. However, the Series S shines for Game Pass budget gaming and simplicity. Ready to start your Xbox Series S PC build?Here are the components:
We’d love to hear from you! Have you built a budget gaming PC in 2025 or are you sticking with the Xbox Series S? Share your experiences in the comments below and follow us for more 2025 gaming PC build guides and tips on building a PC on a budget. Stay tuned for updates on PC component price trends and other gaming insights!***Disclaimer***
This blog post contains unique insights and personal opinions. As such, it should not be interpreted as the official stance of any companies, manufacturers, or other entities we mention or with whom we are affiliated. While we strive for accuracy, information is subject to change. Always verify details independently before making decisions based on our content.
Comments reflect the opinions of their respective authors and not those of our team. We are not liable for any consequences resulting from the use of the information provided. Please seek professional advice where necessary.
Note: All product names, logos, and brands mentioned are the property of their respective owners. Any company, product, or service names used in our articles are for identification and educational purposes only. The use of these names, logos, and brands does not imply endorsement.
