Our Story
The PowerGPU Journey
From a living room full of computers to building rigs for the biggest names in gaming - this is how it all happened.
Built from passion, proven by performance
Some businesses start with a business plan. PowerGPU started with a passion for gaming, a living room full of computers, and a community that needed someone they could trust.
From YouTube to your doorstep
PowerGPU was founded in 2019 by Jese Martinez - a gamer and PC builder with over 22 years of experience. Long before PowerGPU existed, Jese was buying computers, reselling parts to fund his next upgrade, and pushing graphics cards to their absolute limits. In 2018 he launched a YouTube channel reviewing graphics cards. His technical knowledge was deep, but what really set him apart was how he connected with his audience. When he began streaming live, viewers didn't just watch - they asked questions, trusted his recommendations, and started asking him to build their computers for them. PowerGPU was born.
Built in a living room, grown into a movement
The early days were humble. Jese and his wife Stephanie started in a 1,300 sq ft home with no garage. Computers filled every surface - the living room, dining room, kitchen counters. They moved into a rental with a garage, but outgrew that in just six months.
The turning point came when Stephanie drove past a warehouse being painted in Youngsville, NC. The owner was about to rent to a mechanic shop - but said he'd rather have PowerGPU. That decision launched them into a 10,000 sq ft warehouse, and the growth that followed was extraordinary.
A family business built on craftsmanship
Stephanie joined in November 2019, starting with parts ordering before taking on inventory, purchasing, HR, payroll, and operations. She learned to build computers herself - with a focus on cable management that became a PowerGPU signature. Jese handles marketing and sales, bringing over two decades of hardware expertise alongside experience at TigerDirect, Best Buy, and Rooms To Go.
Where we are today
After years of growth in Youngsville, PowerGPU relocated to Wake Forest, NC - just outside Raleigh, one of the country's emerging esports hubs. Every build still gets one dedicated technician. Every system still ships with our 3-year warranty and lifetime U.S. support. That hasn't changed since day one.
