PC gaming is big. The market will generate $35.9 billion in 2021, pushed by 1.4 billion PC avid gamers. Because of the pandemic and different components, demand for PC gaming {hardware} has skyrocketed at a time when provide is brief.
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To shine the highlight on the {hardware} marketplace for PC video games, we’re excited to announce a brand new research diving into the wants, motivations, and preferences of devoted PC avid gamers, Gamer Insights for PC Gaming {Hardware} & Parts.
We surveyed greater than 9,000 PC avid gamers throughout six key markets (the U.S., U.Okay, Germany, France, China, and Japan). The analysis focuses on devoted PC avid gamers, which we outline as those that play weekly on PC.
Let’s discover a number of the first high-level insights to come back from this thrilling analysis.
Devoted PC Avid gamers Primarily Play on Desktop, Particularly Ones They Constructed Themselves
Devoted PC avid gamers—those that play a minimum of weekly—are more than likely to spend cash on peripherals and {hardware}. They account for round 40% of PC avid gamers, in accordance with our Shopper Insights throughout 33 markets.
As you would possibly count on, most devoted PC avid gamers use a desktop as their foremost PC. Simply underneath a 3rd constructed their very own foremost laptop, barely greater than the 30% who purchased theirs pre-built.
Pre-built machines are extra accessible however typically extra expensive. Constructing a PC is seen as a ceremony of passage amongst core PC gamers whereas additionally providing extra customization (aesthetically and by way of {hardware}). However that’s to not say there isn’t a requirement for gaming laptops.
Laptops Are Additionally Well-liked Amongst Devoted PC Gamers
Due to rapidly evolving cell chip know-how, laptops are a viable choice for a lot of devoted PC avid gamers. Round 38% of the group makes use of a laptop computer as their foremost gaming PC.
Whereas devoted PC avid gamers are sometimes males, girls account for 40% of those that use a laptop computer as their foremost PC-gaming machine. PC gaming has historically been a male-dominated pastime. Whereas that is altering, it considerably explains the decrease share of girls who construct their very own PCs.
Our knowledge reveals that respondents between the ages of 16 and 30 account for greater than half of those that used a laptop computer as their foremost gaming machine. Previous habits die laborious. And older avid gamers are extra drawn to gaming desktops.
Laptops Could Be a Gateway into Desktop PC Gaming
Portability apart, gaming laptops are typically much less highly effective and costlier than desktop PCs (particularly when they’re no provide constraints). Laptops are a viable and accessible entry level into the world of PC gaming, however our analysis reveals many gaming laptop computer house owners are eyeing desktops subsequent:
As you may see above, greater than 1 / 4 of present laptop computer house owners are contemplating shopping for a desktop PC subsequent, with most edging in direction of pre-built desktops. It appears that evidently comfort stays vital for the group.
Usually, respondents have a tendency to stay to the kind of PC they at present personal after they’re trying to improve, particularly those that at present personal custom-built machines. This is smart, as one of many benefits of a self-built machine is the flexibility to improve components when wanted (as a substitute of shopping for a totally new PC).
Probably the most attention-grabbing findings from our gaming {hardware} and elements analysis is that devoted PC avid gamers improve their {hardware} or main elements each 3.3 years. That is notably sooner than the typical new console era and ensures that demand for PC {hardware} is virtually fixed.
Whereas the semiconductor scarcity surges, provide for high-end PC elements and {hardware} will stay scarce. Nonetheless, the quick PC improve cycle means that PC avid gamers are regularly searching for a greater gaming expertise. To study extra, we took a better have a look at our knowledge on why PC gamers improve their {hardware}.
What Motivates Devoted PC Avid gamers to Improve Their {Hardware}?
Nearly three-quarters of devoted PC avid gamers say their foremost motivation to improve is bettering gaming experiences. Extra highly effective {hardware} not solely betters their experiences in video games they’re at present enjoying, however it additionally provides many gamers entry to titles with extra demanding specs.
The picture above reveals that normal and work use are additionally vital. This is smart, because the highly effective {hardware} in gaming PCs may also be used for intensive work throughout machine studying, video modifying, and lots of different sectors. In fact, many individuals have been working from their private computer systems at house as a result of pandemic, which possible contributed right here.
In the meantime, just below a 3rd of devoted PC avid gamers improve for thrilling new options and know-how. New GPU releases emphasize such options of their advertising and merchandise. Latest examples right here embody ray tracing, the know-how NVIDIA’s RTX GPUs have been named after, and deep studying tremendous sampling (DLSS), which can be a novel worth proposition of these GPUs.
To that finish, our analysis reveals that GPU is often essentially the most valued element for devoted PC avid gamers, particularly amongst those that constructed their very own desktops.
GPU model loyalty is extraordinarily excessive, with 70% of devoted avid gamers saying they’re more likely to follow their present GPU model. However that additionally means 30% of the group are open to switching.
Let’s take a better have a look at our respondents’ probability of switching {hardware} manufacturers generally.
How Doubtless Are PC Avid gamers to Swap {Hardware} Manufacturers?
Earlier than buying new {hardware} and elements, devoted PC avid gamers actively consider their choices for five.5. weeks (on common). Subsequently, it’s vital for entrepreneurs to behave quick as soon as they know a prospect is within the intent and consideration phases of the advertising funnel.
In line with the analysis, devoted PC avid gamers use the next sources to tell their {hardware} and element purchases:
- On-line producer web sites: 50%
- On-line retailer web sites: 46%
- On-line boards: 38%
- Skilled overview web sites and benchmarking: 33%
- Video content material and opinions: 33%
Whereas retailers’ and types’ web sites are most vital, the facility of on-line communities—each community- and creator-driven are plain. Partnering with the proper content material creator can push many manufactures’ advertising to the subsequent degree.
Usually talking, laptop computer producers are particularly well-positioned to persuade customers. Of devoted PC avid gamers who play primarily on laptop computer and want to improve to a brand new laptop computer, half are open to switching manufacturers.
In the meantime, simply 29% of those that primarily play on desktops are keen to change desktop manufacturers. The chance is smaller however undoubtedly inside grasp.
The complete analysis reveals precisely what devoted PC avid gamers are on the lookout for of their {hardware} manufacturers—in addition to which manufacturers they at present learn about and are contemplating. For instance, for customers pre-built units, status and high quality is the whole lot. They particularly search for manufacturers which might be:
- Seen as premium available in the market
- Stand out from their rivals
- Identified to make high quality {hardware}
- Seen as leaders or finest in school
In fact, there are different components at play, together with budgets and model notion, that are needed for {hardware} manufacturers to grasp to succeed. Making issues much more difficult, the PC gaming {hardware} market is now larger and due to this fact extra saturated than ever earlier than. Standing out is significant.
Fortunately, there’s now a streamlined method to get these insights and use them to supercharge your advertising and product growth.
Deep Dive into the Purchaser Journey of PC {Hardware} and Parts for Video games
Our Shopper Insights for PC Gaming {Hardware} and Parts extra detailed and actionable knowledge on the whole lot coated on this article.
Among the largest sport corporations and types are already utilizing our knowledge to:
- Leverage model funnel and model well being metricsto evaluate their model’s efficiency throughout key funnel metrics and figuring out development priorities versus the competitors
- Perceive choice hierarchies and prioritize product options. How do devoted PC avid gamers strategy sure merchandise? And the way vital are completely different standards of their choice making?
- Determine and profile key goal audiences and segmentsbased mostly on PC avid gamers’ gaming habits, {hardware}, and gaming motivations. Goal the proper viewers with the proper message on the proper time.