Hey everyone! I got a pre-built gaming PC back in 2018 that has served me well, but now I'm looking to upgrade specifically for gaming. My current specs include an Intel i7-8700K, 16GB of RAM, and an NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1070. Recently, I also got a new 49" 5120 x 1440 OLED curved gaming monitor, and I want to fully enjoy it. I've been using PCPartPicker to build a new PC, but the total cost is much higher than I anticipated (over $2,600). I'm debating whether to scale back my build or just go for a pre-built that might have lower specs. Any advice on cheaper parts or if I should just stick with pre-builts would be much appreciated!
2 Answers
Building your own PC can indeed be pricey, but you have the opportunity to choose exactly what you want without the pre-built markup. If your primary focus is gaming, prioritizing a strong GPU is key. However, avoid overspending on components that won't provide as much benefit. You could lean towards 32GB of RAM instead of 64GB unless you're doing more than gaming.
Looks like you're aiming to get excellent performance from that new monitor! You can definitely save some cash by considering a slightly older GPU model or a lower-tier Ryzen instead of the high-end RTX 5070 Ti. Also, doubling up on case fans might not be necessary unless you plan to overclock. Check out some great GPU options like the RTX 3060 or even last-gen models that still pack a punch!
Thanks for the suggestions! I didn't realize I could still get good gaming from older models. Keeping my options open!
I appreciate the input! I think it makes sense to stick with 32GB for now and invest more in the GPU.