Want a PC that plays games better than any console? Here's what you'll need

You can build  an incredibly powerful PC for $600 that will make your video games look even better and play smoother than today's Xbox One or PlayStation 4 consoles.

Antonio Villas-Boas/Business Insider

Yes, $600 is more than the going rate for a $250 Xbox One and the $350 PlayStation 4. But if you're like me and you like games to look really, really good, there is no substitute for a good gaming PC. Plus, you can use if to run apps that consoles can't for work or fun.

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One of the best online resources to find the right parts for the best price is a website called pcpartpicker.com. I went for the $600 price bracket for the best mix of value, performance, and future-proofing components. You could get great performance from a PC that costs around $500, but a $600 PC will easily outlast a $500 PC. Plus, by spending $100 more, you'll get more bang for the buck with newer, better parts. 

So, to get a great PC for the best value, I recommend looking for (and actually using) mail-in rebates.

Earlier this year I built my own PC with some of the most powerful and expensive parts you can buy, but the process is nearly identical by finding these parts online and using rebates. So, I went ahead and compiled a list of the parts I'd personally use for a PC with great gaming performance for $600. Check it out.