--- title: "Microsoft Raises Xbox Series S Price but Still Affordable" url: https://newscentral.site/microsoft-raises-xbox-series-s-price-but-still-affordable/ language: en publisher: "News Central Site" section: "Technology" published: 2026-11-01T18:15:00.000Z updated: 2026-11-02T01:01:02.975Z id: c5a06c7e-d63e-4108-baaa-affc0b96a29c source: "Engadget https://www.engadget.com/2300614/xbox-series-s-pc-similar-how-much-to-build/" attribution: "Link to https://newscentral.site/microsoft-raises-xbox-series-s-price-but-still-affordable/ and name News Central Site when you quote or summarize this story." --- # Microsoft Raises Xbox Series S Price but Still Affordable The Xbox Series S's price has increased, but it remains a relatively affordable option for console gamers compared to building a custom PC. A cost-effective alternative to high-end gaming consoles can be built using a personal computer, but it's not a cheap endeavor. Microsoft markets the Xbox Series S as an affordable option for console gamers, offering 1440p resolution and up to 120 frames per second at a base price of $500 after recent price increases. However, with rising demand for computer hardware driven by artificial intelligence applications, PC prices are also on the rise, making it a costly alternative. The Xbox Series S's limitations to gaming and media consumption make it still worth comparing to a custom-built PC in 2026. Despite being an older console with custom hardware, there isn't a direct comparison to current-generation PCs due to the different architecture. Building a computer that matches the Xbox Series S's performance would require careful consideration of components, as using outdated parts might not provide the best value for money. In contrast, buying the Xbox Series S is often a more straightforward and cost-effective option, especially considering developers' continued optimization of games for console hardware. The potential trade-off for building a high-performance PC that outmatches the Xbox Series S is a significant financial investment, likely exceeding what one would pay for an actual gaming console. Building a PC that outperforms the Xbox Series S requires careful consideration of its components. The CPU plays a crucial role in this endeavor, and given the console's AMD Zen 2-based processor, an AMD CPU is a natural choice for our build. The decision between AM4 and AM5 sockets presents itself as we plan our build. While the newer socket offers greater future-proofing, opting for AM4 helps keep costs down on the motherboard and RAM while still providing a superior CPU to what's found in the Series S. Our budget pick is the Ryzen 5 5600, which can be had for around $160 on Amazon at present. This processor boasts a more affordable price tag than its counterparts, making it an attractive option for those looking to build a high-performance PC without breaking the bank. A more premium choice, however, is the Ryzen 5 5600X3D. With its larger L3 cache, this CPU offers enhanced gaming performance that justifies its slightly higher price point of around $175, especially when it goes on sale. In keeping with our aim to match or surpass the Xbox Series S's specs, we need a GPU that can hold its own against the console's RDNA2 component. The GPU is a critical component in this build, and one that demands attention to detail. We'll be looking at AMD GPUs as part of our build, given their compatibility with our chosen CPU architecture. This decision will help ensure seamless integration between components and optimize overall system performance. Selecting a motherboard that supports our chosen CPU is crucial to building a PC similar to the Xbox Series S. We've opted for the B550M chipset, which allows us to run DDR4 RAM instead of the more expensive DDR5 option. The ASRock B550M Phantom Gaming 4 is our choice for this build, offering VRM heatsinks and ensuring no PCIe-related bottlenecks. Although it may require a BIOS update to support the Ryzen 5 5600, it should function well after the update. In terms of memory, we're not just looking at the GPU's onboard RAM when comparing to the Xbox Series S' unified system memory. As Ryzen performs better with dual-channel memory, we've chosen two 4GB sticks instead of a single 8GB one. Lenovo's 2x4GB DDR4 kit is our selection for this build, offering respectable speeds at a budget-friendly price point. The kit runs at 3,200MT/s and costs just $40, helping to keep the overall cost of the PC in check. Picking a GPU that matches the Xbox Series S' performance without breaking the bank has been a challenge. We're opting for the ASRock Challenger Radeon RX 7600 8GB, which offers significantly better performance than the Series S on paper and can be had for $330. The AMD Radeon RX 7600 8GB graphics card has been selected for its superior performance compared to the Series S, and can be purchased for $330. In addition to the graphics card, a CPU cooler, storage drive, power supply, and case are still needed to complete the build. The Thermalright Peerless Assassin 120 SE is chosen as the CPU cooler due to its affordability at around $35. For storage, a 512GB SSD with comparable or superior performance to the Series S has been selected, costing approximately $100. A 600W power supply from Thermaltake is also chosen for its 80+ Gold certification and ample headroom for the build's components. The Zalman Cubix-G micro-ATX tower will be used as the case, with a price range of $35 to $45, although a possible adapter may be required to make the front USB-C cable functional. This PC build is estimated to cost around $740 before taxes, significantly more than the Xbox Series S' current price and over double its launch cost. --- Source: [Engadget](https://www.engadget.com/2300614/xbox-series-s-pc-similar-how-much-to-build/) Published by News Central Site: https://newscentral.site/microsoft-raises-xbox-series-s-price-but-still-affordable/