Building a new PC from scratch is far more exciting than buying a prebuilt one because you have full control over the components you want to use. I remember how thrilled I was back in 2012 when I took my sweet time researching and purchasing all the necessary parts for my first gaming rig. I did this again several years later, in 2020, and it was just as exciting. However, one thing I underestimated was the total costs involved in building a PC, as I had to stretch my budget both times.

Even if the costs of crucial components like the processor, graphics card, and RAM don't surprise you, other hidden expenses will catch you off-guard, especially if it's your first time building a PC. So, to save you from the surprises I faced, we'll dive into the hidden costs you should factor into your budget before you start purchasing components for your new rig.

5 Additional supplies

A basic screwdriver won't be enough to build your PC

A standard Philips #2 screwdriver isn't going to be enough, as some components in your PC use different screw sizes. For instance, the M.2 SSD screws are tiny, and you'll need a Philips #0 or #1 screwdriver. Likewise, motherboard standoff screws might sometimes need a hex driver. And don't forget that AIO liquid coolers may include proprietary screws for mounting the radiator, fans, and pump. Therefore, you'll need to spend $20-$30 on a screwdriver set, preferably a magnetized one, to make your job easier.

Additionally, proper cable management to improve the aesthetics and airflow requires additional supplies like velcro straps and cable sleeves, which most people overlook while ordering PC parts. And don't forget to buy a high-quality thermal paste. While CPU coolers often come with thermal paste pre-applied or in the box, an aftermarket paste with a higher thermal conductivity will lower your CPU temperature by 5-10C and last for years before drying out.

4 Shipping and duty fees

Importing PC parts can be really expensive

Let's say you found a really nice-looking PC case after watching a bunch of reviews on YouTube, but unfortunately, it's not available in your country. Your only option is to import it, which can get really expensive. Since PC cases are generally huge and challenging to ship, you'll likely end up paying more than the cost of the case for shipping. And don't forget import duties or additional taxes that may be levied on your ship when it enters your country.

For instance, the Corsair 4000D only costs $110 on Amazon US, but if I wanted to import it into India, I'd have to pay another $228 for shipping and duty fees, making it a really expensive purchase. Duty fees will also apply to any other components you wish to import, and the bigger the product (like a monitor), the higher the shipping fees will be. So, if you want to cut down on shipping costs and don't want to pay absurd duty fees, I highly recommend sourcing PC parts locally.

3 Operating system

Your new PC isn't usable without an OS

When I built my first gaming PC, I didn't even think about the operating system until I actually booted it and entered the BIOS menu. I had to purchase a genuine copy of Windows 7, which wasn't cheap. Sure, you could install Linux for free, but if you plan to do any serious work or gaming, you'll need Windows 11. A genuine copy of Windows 11 Home costs $139, whereas Windows 11 Pro will set you back at $200, which can easily stretch your final budget.

Remember any other essential software purchases you'll need to make once you get your PC up and running. For instance, I needed to purchase Adobe Photoshop and Lightroom to edit my photos. Likewise, you may need to purchase some games from Steam or the Epic Games Store; these costs add up in the end.

2 Peripherals

Don't forget to set money aside for a keyboard, mouse, or headset

Many people who build their PCs for the first time only factor in the cost of the case and all the components inside it. I remember overlooking peripherals like a monitor, keyboard, mouse, and headset when I built my first PC in 2012. Since my budget was pretty tight, I had to settle for cheap hardware, like a basic 1080p/60Hz monitor. Over time, I realized how important they were for gaming and managed to save up for better-quality peripherals.

So, if you're buying a high-end PC, especially for gaming and content creation, you'll need to allocate a few hundred dollars for a high-refresh-rate, high-resolution monitor. Likewise, you'll need a mechanical keyboard if you want a better typing experience, and that will typically cost upwards of $100. Adding a high-end wireless mouse into the mix would stretch your budget by another $100. And lastly, if you need good sound quality, remember to set aside $100-$200 for a wired or wireless headset.

1 Aesthetic enhancements

That RGB bling will cost you extra

If you want your new PC build to be visually appealing, you may want to fill out your case with RGB fans for a start. While many cases come with pre-installed fans, they don't have RGB lights, so you'll have to spend a premium on aftermarket fans. You may also want a fancy AIO liquid cooler with an LCD screen and RGB fans for that visual appeal. These coolers typically cost north of $200, even though they offer no performance benefits over something like the Arctic Liquid Freezer III 360, which costs under $130 without all that extra bling.

Similarly, custom-sleeved power cables for your motherboard and graphics card can make your PC look much better if your case has a tempered glass side panel. So, if you don't want to use the cables that came with your PSU, expect to pay around $50-$100 for a sleeved cable kit from CableMod, Corsair, or any other manufacturer.

Be proactive with your spending

As rewarding as it is, building a new PC can be stressful, especially if you're on a tight budget. But if you proactively allocate your budget for the extra expenses we discussed, the overall process should go smoothly. If you're short on cash, you can always cut expenses in the aesthetics department and save those upgrades for a later time. Or, you can buy used parts from a second-hand marketplace. After all, the best part about building a PC is that you can always upgrade your components when you need more performance.