Expect the gaming PC and monitor markets to keep booming through 2025, says report

For those who like to keep up on the state of the gaming industry and the financial machinations happening behind the scenes, IDC has a writeup that not only includes concrete shipment numbers from years' past but also outlines some educated predictions as to what sorts of figures the industry could see as it moves toward the year 2025.

Gaming PCs saw shipments of 41.3 million units back in 2020. That figure is expected to balloon to 52.3 million units in 2025.

As to why the increase is predicted to be so large? Here's one piece of evidence IDC uses to come to such conclusions in its report: In the second quarter of 2021, a combined total of 15.6 million gaming PCs and monitors were shipped, which is a 19.3% increase over the second quarter of 2020 (2Q20). That trend shows no signs of slowing, meaning growth is anticipated to continue, at least for the next half-decade.

In the 2020-25 timeframe, monitors are expected to boost shipment volumes from the 2020 total of 14.2 million units to 26.4 million in 2025.

Source: IDC

Over the next five years, many gamers will contribute to these estimates and stats by picking up one of the best computer monitors or best gaming desktop PCs. But what's unknown is how many of them will be compelled to do so as a result of Windows 11's requirements.

Specifically, the TPM hard floor could necessitate an upgrade for some, with its upcoming impact on those who build their own PCs still an unknown. DIY gamers don't have OEMs ensuring their machines come with TPM tech or have it enabled, meaning some gamers may have an unpleasant wake-up call on October 5.

Elden Ring has 15 different main boss battles, but which ones are the best (and which ones are terrible)? Here's our definitive ranking of each and every main boss in the game.

Just when you thought the lore vaults of ye olde Windows 1.0 had been exhausted, a new entry appears. And it gets even more exciting: This particular nugget of knowledge contains a reference to none other than Valve's very own Gabe Newell.

We're LIVE with the Windows Central Video Podcast today at 1:30pm ET, make sure you're there!

Building a desktop computer can be tricky for beginners, so why not skip the whole process with a pre-built PC? We've selected the best desktops under $1,000 for gamers and the home office.