The PC gaming hardware industry is booming, and with that growth has come an explosion of people interested in building their own custom gaming rigs. PC building can seem intimidating at first, with the sheer number of components and technical knowledge required. But thanks to YouTube, it‘s never been easier to learn how to construct a computer from scratch. Numerous channels have popped up over the last decade dedicated to showing PC enthusiasts of all skill levels the ropes of building.
YouTube has been a major driver in the rising popularity of PC building. Gamers increasingly want the power, flexibility and cost savings that come with a custom built PC. But many don‘t know where to start. Having a friendly face on YouTube walk you through each step of the process makes it so much less daunting. And the channels uploading PC content have seen enormous growth as a result.
By the Numbers: The Rise of PC Building on YouTube
To get a sense of just how huge the PC building community on YouTube has become, let‘s look at some of the top channels‘ stats:
| Channel | Subscribers | Total Views |
|---|---|---|
| Linus Tech Tips | 14.6M | 6.2B |
| JayzTwoCents | 3.75M | 942M |
| Bitwit | 2.71M | 588M |
| Paul‘s Hardware | 1.42M | 283M |
| Gamers Nexus | 1.41M | 393M |
Source: YouTube, May 2023
Keep in mind those are just five of the most popular channels, and only accounts for a fraction of the total PC building content on the platform. YouTube videos related to PC building and gaming hardware are getting hundreds of millions of views each month. The audience is massive and only continues to grow.
So what is it about these channels that has attracted such a dedicated following? It really comes down to three key things: entertaining hosts, high-quality production, and most importantly, useful information that empowers viewers.
The Personalities Behind the Top PC Building Channels
One common thread among the most successful PC building channels on YouTube is the charisma and likeability of the hosts. Building a gaming PC is as much art as it is science, and having a relatable personality guiding you makes a huge difference.
You‘d be hard pressed to find a more prominent figure in this space than Linus Sebastian of Linus Tech Tips. With an energetic, fast-talking style and self-deprecating humor, Linus comes across as your nerdy best friend showing you cool new tech. He frequently pokes fun at himself and isn‘t afraid to show the screw-ups and challenges that come with building PCs.
"There are no mistakes, only happy little accidents," Linus has been known to say when a build doesn‘t go exactly to plan. This Bob Ross-esque attitude takes the pressure off the viewer and makes the build process feel more approachable.
Other hosts like Jason Langevin of JayzTwoCents, Kyle Hansen of Bitwit, and Paul Leclaire of Paul‘s Hardware all have their own unique styles as well but share a common trait of being personable and entertaining to watch. You get the sense that these are people you‘d enjoy hanging out with and talking about PC hardware.
High Production Values Set These Channels Apart
Tech YouTubers are known for having impressive camera setups and editing skills, and the PC building channels are no exception. Videos are shot in 4K with excellent lighting and sound quality. Many utilize multiple camera angles to give you clear views of every part of the build process. Helpful annotations and graphics are used to reinforce key information.
Linus Tech Tips in particular has a production team that rivals traditional TV studios in terms of size and capabilities. They are able to pull off crazy projects like building a PC in an actual fish tank that no other channels can match. The visual spectacle of their videos is a big part of the appeal.
That‘s not to say you need Hollywood-level production to make great PC building content. Plenty of smaller, one-man operations like Science Studio still put out exceptionally polished and professional videos. But high production values definitely help these channels stand out in a crowded field.
A Wealth of Detailed, Reliable PC Building Information
At the end of the day, the main reason viewers flock to these PC building channels is for the actual information and advice they provide. People come to YouTube to learn, and these creators are experts at educating their audience.
"I strive to be the Wikipedia of PC building," said Stephen Burke of Gamers Nexus in an interview with PCWorld. And it shows in the level of detail and accuracy GN brings to each video.
The best PC building channels provide step-by-step build guides aimed at beginners that break down every aspect of assembling a computer. They help newbies pick parts, explaining the pros and cons of different CPUs, GPUs, motherboards, cases, power supplies, and more. Then they actually show the building process with clear instructions.
More experienced builders can find value in advanced guides on overclocking, custom water cooling loops, and exotic case mods. Channels like JayzTwoCents and Paul‘s Hardware frequently do videos on pushing hardware to the extreme to achieve peak performance.
Another key aspect is the component review and benchmarking videos these channels put out. Detailed analysis of how new CPUs and GPUs perform in various games and workloads help viewers decide what parts are right for their needs and budget. Gamers Nexus and Hardware Canucks are known for their exceptionally through, objective testing.
Collaboration and Community Building
The best PC building channels on YouTube don‘t exist in a vacuum. There is a thriving community of creators who frequently collaborate and appear in each other‘s videos. This provides viewers with fresh perspectives and a sense that they are part of a shared passion.
Linus Tech Tips often brings in other YouTubers as guests for special projects and events. A popular series called "Scrapyard Wars" has teams of creators competing to build the best PC out of used parts. Jayz Two Cents and Bitwit have an ongoing friendly rivalry and have appeared on each other‘s channels many times.
Many of these channels also have active Discord servers where fans can chat with each other and sometimes interact with the hosts directly. Paul‘s Hardware and Bitwit frequently host live streams on Twitch where they build PCs and take questions from viewers.
All of this fosters a feeling of community and belonging among PC building enthusiasts. It‘s not just about watching videos, but being part of a movement.
The Business of PC Building YouTube Channels
Of course, all the entertaining content and helpful information put out by these channels is also a business. Popular tech YouTubers can earn significant income from ad revenue, sponsorships, affiliate links and merch sales. Linus Tech Tips, the top channel in this space, is estimated to bring in over $10 million per year.
Many PC hardware companies are eager to get their products in front of the huge, engaged audience these channels have built. It‘s common to see sponsored builds featuring all parts from a specific manufacturer. Creators will often do dedicated review or overview videos of new products ahead of launch.
However, the best channels make efforts to maintain objectivity and provide their honest opinions even when dealing with sponsors. Gamers Nexus has a strict policy of only doing "sponsored content, not sponsored conclusions." They‘ll work with brands to feature products but always disclose the relationship and give their unfiltered thoughts.
Jayz Two Cents said in a video on sponsorships, "I turn down far more sponsors than I accept. If I don‘t think it‘s a good product or relevant to my audience, I‘m not putting it in a video no matter how much money they offer."
So while yes, these channels are businesses, the most trusted hosts put their audience first and aren‘t just mouthpieces for tech brands.
The Future of PC Building on YouTube
As long as PC gaming continues to grow in popularity, there will be strong demand for informative, entertaining PC building content on YouTube. The top channels are poised to keep expanding their reach and influence.
Expect to see more of a focus on beginners and prebuilt systems. While the DIY PC building scene is thriving, many gamers still prefer the convenience of buying a preassembled computer. Channels will likely produce more reviews and recommendations of the best prebuilt gaming desktops.
New technologies like Intel‘s Arc GPUs, AMD‘s 3D V-Cache CPUs, and PCIe 5.0 SSDs will give creators plenty of fresh material to cover in the coming years. Expect lots of videos benchmarking and comparing these cutting-edge parts.
The rising cost of flagship PC hardware may also push creators to focus more on budget-conscious builds. With the best CPUs and GPUs now crossing the $1000 mark, there will be an appetite for videos on getting the most bang for your buck in a gaming PC.
One trend that‘s already taking off is PC building shorts. Quick, snappy vertical videos under a minute highlighting a specific product or building tip. These are perfect for TikTok, YouTube Shorts and Instagram Reels. Channels like Linus Tech Tips and Jayz Two Cents are investing heavily in this emerging format.
Overall, the future looks bright for PC building content on YouTube. As long as there are processors to compare, cases to build in, and framerates to boost, you can be sure these creators will be there putting out top-notch videos for the community.
Conclusion
Building your own gaming PC is incredibly rewarding, but it can be intimidating to get started. Thankfully, an entire ecosystem of YouTube channels dedicated to PC building has emerged to help both newbies and veterans alike.
From the unparalleled reach and production quality of Linus Tech Tips to the in-depth reviews and guides of Gamers Nexus and Paul‘s Hardware, these channels are invaluable resources. Entertaining and knowledgeable hosts, gorgeous visuals and a wealth of reliable information set them apart.
If you‘re thinking about building a gaming PC, do yourself a favor and binge the back catalogs of these channels. Then get inspired for your own dream build as you watch them assemble the craziest, most powerful, and most beautiful computers on the internet.
The PC building community on YouTube is truly something special. It‘s made this geeky hobby accessible to millions and driven so much innovation in the gaming hardware space. As long as people want to build PCs, you can bet these creators will be there educating, entertaining, and inspiring them.
