Despite the overall decline in the global personal computer (PC) market, gaming PCs have not escaped the downturn, according to the latest report from the International Data Corporation (IDC).
Last year, global gaming PC shipments witnessed a year-over-year decline of 13.2%, reaching 44 million units. However, the gaming monitor market showcased a contrasting performance during the same period, with shipments growing by 20.3% year-over-year. This growth was attributed to more affordable price points, aiding consumer adoption.
Looking ahead, IDC forecasts the gaming PC market to return to modest growth this year, with an anticipated growth rate of 1%. Gaming notebooks are expected to be the primary driver of this growth. Meanwhile, the gaming monitor market is predicted to continue its upward trajectory, with shipments projected to reach 22.2 million units by 2024, representing a 13.6% compound annual growth rate (CAGR).
Despite the challenging global economic environment, gaming PC shipments remained relatively buoyant thanks to continuing demand growth, according to IDC research manager Jitesh Ubrani.
The premium segment, in particular, driven by a less economy-sensitive premium user base, has continued to show strong growth – a trend expected to continue in the coming years, leading to increased price points.
Jay Chou, another IDC research manager, added that the gaming monitor market is experiencing a significant rebound after the decline seen in 2022. Esports monitors priced around $300 are proving to be a cost-effective entry point to the gaming experience.
Falling prices and continuous technological advancements, such as refresh rates exceeding 165Hz, response times dropping to 1 millisecond or below, and the increased adoption of higher resolutions (1440P and above), are making gaming monitors increasingly popular. Sales are expected to continue outpacing the growth of gaming PCs.
Looking ahead, IDC forecasts the esports market to experience further growth beyond 2024, with PC unit sales projected to reach 52.0 million and monitor sales expected to hit 29.6 million by 2028.
Additionally, the prices of esports monitors are predicted to continue a gradual decline while gaming PCs are likely to see an upward trend. The average selling price for gaming PCs is forecast to rise to $1,101, influenced by the increasing popularity of laptops and higher-end graphics processing units (GPUs).
