How much would it cost to build a PC similar to the Xbox Series S?

Creating a PC that matches the capabilities of the Xbox Series S proves challenging but not impossible. Although the console is cheaper, it lacks the versatility of a PC. Despite being outdated, the Xbox Series S combines gaming and media consumption, making a comparable PC build more enticing. However, the console's custom hardware makes it difficult to find a direct comparison for current PC builds.

Utilizing older components may be tempting, but they are better suited for consoles with optimized games. The good news is that building a computer that outperforms the Xbox Series S is feasible, albeit at a higher cost. The criteria for this hypothetical build include outperforming the Xbox Series S at 1080p native (or 1440p with reduced settings and upscaling) using widely available components.

While the Xbox Series S features an AMD Zen 2-based CPU with 8 cores and a 12 compute unit RDNA2 GPU, the PC build will utilize a Ryzen 5 5600 CPU and a Radeon RX 7600 GPU, priced at approximately $740 before taxes. The build also includes a 512GB SSD, a 600W power supply, and a Zalman Cubix-G micro-ATX tower. Although component pricing varies, this PC will likely cost more than the Xbox Series S, which was $500 at launch.