According to the latest insights from Jon Peddie Research (JPR), the global market for PC-based gaming hardware is poised for remarkable growth, projected to reach .5 billion by 2025—a substantial 35% increase. This expansive category encompasses desktops, notebooks, DIY setups, and a variety of peripherals and accessories. JPR employs a purchase motivation model to gauge the financial landscape of the PC gaming hardware market, focusing on consumers’ intent to engage in gaming with their devices. This approach yields conservative estimates regarding overall PC hardware spending.
Market Dynamics and Consumer Behavior
In a notable shift, Ted Pollak, JPR’s senior analyst of game technology, highlights a unique challenge facing gamers today: “For the first time in the history of the Microsoft Windows operating system, a forced hardware migration is necessary. This transition cannot be achieved merely by swapping out a graphics card; it necessitates a CPU upgrade for over 100 million gamers. Consequently, this will likely require a motherboard upgrade and additional RAM.” Pollak observes that many PC gamers are opting for new prebuilt systems rather than attempting to retrofit their existing setups. DIY enthusiasts are also adapting, often building new computers while retaining their current Windows 10 machines until their Windows 11 configurations are ready.
On a more cautious note, Dr. Jon Peddie, president of JPR, forecasts a decline in entry-level PC gaming over the next five years, predicting a 13% reduction in the entry-level gamer demographic. This trend could see over 10 million individuals exiting the PC platform altogether, as consoles, handhelds, and mobile devices present appealing alternatives for budget-conscious gamers. However, not all entry-level defectors are abandoning the PC; many are simply upgrading to midrange and high-end hardware tiers.
Valuable Insights for Industry Stakeholders
JPR’s PC Gaming Hardware Market Models and Consulting Package serves as an essential resource for executives and managers within the PC gaming sector. This comprehensive package is beneficial not only for semiconductor companies and system integrators but also for software developers and investors. JPR’s models are renowned for their accuracy, thanks to sophisticated socio-economic modeling techniques. The data provided is instrumental for industry players in strategizing product launches, analyzing addressable market sizes, and planning marketing initiatives.
The newly released 1H’25 edition of JPR’s PC Gaming Hardware Market Study offers a wealth of information, detailing the market size by value, segment breakdowns, and unit shipments. This subscription service, issued biannually, includes a year’s historical data, current estimates, a three-year forecast, and 20 hours of consulting support. The study encompasses the entirety of the market, including systems and accessories, and spans 31 countries.
About Jon Peddie Research
With over three decades of experience in the graphics and multimedia sectors, Jon Peddie Research stands as a leading authority in technical research and consulting. Based in Tiburon, California, JPR provides specialized services to technology firms across various domains, including graphics development, multimedia applications, high-end computing, and Internet-access product innovation.
JPR’s PC Gaming Hardware Market Study is a trademark of Jon Peddie Research. All other trade names and trademarks referenced are the property of their respective owners.
