Is an extra circuit / residual current device really necessary for the office?

Hi!

I need to ask again because we know so little about electrical stuff. I don’t know if we’re being led around by our electrical company, or if the additional costs are necessary and justified.

We have planned an office where we want to set up 2 gaming PCs. We originally planned 18 sockets there (just to have enough), but are now reducing this to 8. However, for each PC we will probably need a multi-socket power strip (1 computer, 2 monitors, possibly some small stuff like a label printer or so).

The electrician says:

[*]We need an extra circuit for the office 150€
[*]an extra RCD 115€
[*]and because we get an additional circuit and RCD for it, also a bigger distribution board – 490€

All prices are net.
Can it really be that we have such a chain of costs because of this? Is this necessary?
He says if we don’t do this (with the circuit / RCD) we can save the bigger distribution board, but then we wouldn’t be allowed to use multi-socket power strips there (would be a big fire risk).

I’m surprised because we’ve been running exactly this setup in our current house (30 years old, only one RCD for everything) for almost 10 years without any problems (or fires). Are we risking our lives every day for years here, or is the truth somewhere in between?
I’m not sure right now what to do here.

Of course, it depends on the power consumption of the technology. A gaming PC is not the same as a gaming PC

But the colleague is trying to protect you from damage and not rip you off or anything. What he says is probably true.

Actually, in my opinion, the electrical installations are planned way too tightly in new buildings.

No one from a distance can say how things currently look for you and whether you risk a fire daily.

I would do it. Safety comes first.

It naturally depends on the power consumption of the technology. A gaming PC is not equal to a gaming PC

But the guy is trying to protect you from damage and not rip you off or anything. What he says is probably true.

In my opinion, electrical installations in new buildings are usually planned too tightly.

No one can say from afar how it looks for you right now and whether you are risking a fire every day.

I would do it. Safety comes first.

Both gaming PCs each currently have 600-700W power supplies. The monitors consume significantly less (obviously). The PCs are clearly the main consumers. There is also a printer, but it is turned off most of the time.

My knowledge based on the VDE is that sockets must always be protected by an RCD.

Edit:
here is an excerpt from the VDE:
VDE 0100-410 from June 2007 states that newly installed sockets with a rated current up to 20 amperes in indoor areas must be equipped with residual current devices (RCDs). However, this regulation does not always apply – there are exceptions.
According to DIN VDE 0100-410 (VDE 0100-410):2007-06, newly installed sockets up to 20 A rated current/current rating, which are installed indoors, must be protected by residual current devices (RCD) with a rated residual operating current ≤ 30mA.

Since I myself like to game, although much less than before, I would also like to add the following. A decent gaming rig costs quite a bit and is upgraded or replaced at least every once in a blue moon. One could now say, with the proposed equipment you are investing in an already not cheap hobby.

My knowledge from the VDE is that sockets always have to be protected by RCDs.

Edit:
here is an excerpt from the VDE:
The VDE 0100-410 from June 2007 states that newly installed sockets with a rated current up to 20 amps indoors must be equipped with residual current devices (RCDs). However, this regulation does not always apply – there are exceptions.
According to DIN VDE 0100-410 (VDE 0100-410):2007-06, newly installed sockets up to 20 A rated current, which are installed indoors, must be protected by residual current devices (RCD) with a rated residual operating current ≤ 30mA.

They are indeed. We are building new, we are already getting 2 RCDs anyway.
The electrician wants to install an additional circuit (?) (feeder distribution) and a third RCD just for the office.
My question is whether this is necessary.

Since I like gaming myself, although much less than before, I would also add the following.
A proper gaming rig costs quite a bit and is upgraded or replaced at least every blue moon.
One could now say you are investing in an already not cheap hobby with the proposed setup

I like to invest in the (admittedly not cheap) gaming equipment. But only if the investment is necessary. That’s why I’m asking here whether this really makes sense or not. I don’t want to save in the wrong place, but I would like opinions from others on whether what the electrician suggests is necessary. After all, we can’t be the only ones gaming together, right?