DeepSeek, a newly launched Chinese AI chatbot, has notably impacted the AI landscape and financial markets due to its efficiency and open-source nature. With these advancements, I decided to evaluate its effectiveness specifically in the realm of PC gaming by examining the recommendations given by two notable AI chatbots: DeepSeek’s R1 model and ChatGPT’s 4o mini version.
With both AIs at my disposal, I posed the question, “Can you build me a gaming PC for $1,000?” Both ChatGPT 4o mini and the standard DeepSeek chatbot suggested various components, primarily recommending an RTX 30-series graphics card. Given the current landscape of gaming hardware in 2025, this recommendation stood out as outdated and impractical, reflecting poorly on both AIs.
Both AIs recommended a Ryzen 5 chip, a B550 motherboard, 16 GB of DDR4 RAM, and 1 TB of SSD storage. However, ChatGPT’s recommendation of a Kingston NV2 SSD raised eyebrows due to its notorious inconsistency. These suggestions, although reasonable, appeared rather basic and ineffective for serious gamers.
An intriguing aspect of DeepSeek is its reasoning model, which necessitates an internet connection for activation. Once utilized, DeepSeek provided extensive reasoning for its build choices, showcasing a more thoughtful approach by spending time analyzing compatibility and performance. However, the validity of its self-questioning process was questionable, as it admitted that its underlying procedures were not as transparent as it portrayed.
DeepSeek’s build included an AMD Ryzen 5 7600 processor, Radeon RX 7700 XT GPU, MSI B650M Pro motherboard, 16 GB of Corsair Vengeance RAM, a 600 W gold PSU, NZXT H510 Flow case, and a Crucial P3 Plus 1 TB SSD. In contrast, ChatGPT 4o’s offerings were slightly different, suggesting the Ryzen 5 5600, AMD Radeon RX 7600 XT, and a mix of similar components, including a Thermalright CPU contact frame. However, the need for such a frame was unnecessary for the AMD chips, illustrating a lack of practicality in ChatGPT’s advice.
When subjected to comparative analysis, ChatGPT classified DeepSeek’s recommendations as more favorable for those working within the budget constraints. Nonetheless, both setups were ultimately flawed; DeepSeek’s proposal required a minimum of a 700 W PSU, while both AIs recommended SSDs that fell short in terms of current PCIe standards. Overall, neither AI provided an entirely sound solution.
Sourcing a gaming PC based on AI input alone may not yield optimal results. Though DeepSeek distinctly mimicked ChatGPT’s performance, the advisors fell short, suggesting that users might be better off enlisting the expertise of a knowledgeable PC gaming writer who can tailor their recommendations more effectively. For those seeking reliable builds, consulting human experts remains the best approach.