Hey everyone! My girlfriend's birthday is coming up in a bit over a month, and I'd love to get her a decent gaming setup. Her current laptop is really struggling, and while I want to make this special, my budget is only $350, which feels pretty tight in today's market. We're both in grad school, so I'm doing my best to find something within that range. She's a big fan of games like the Mass Effect trilogy, Dragon Age, and Cyberpunk 2077, which she plays repeatedly. Here's what I've found for the build: a Dell OptiPlex 9020 Tower with an i7-4770, 16GB of RAM, and a 256GB SSD for $135; a Radeon RX 6600 GPU for $100; a PSU for $25; and a 24" monitor for $76, plus a basic keyboard and mouse for $17. I know this isn't going to be top-of-the-line, but will this setup play her favorite games at least decently for a couple of years while she finishes law school?
5 Answers
If she likes tinkering, maybe consider getting a BC-250. It could be a fun project, and you might just end up with a solid gaming system within your budget. Otherwise, try to get something with a decent CPU and GPU—local deals vary, so keep an eye out!
You might want to consider getting her a Steam Deck or something similar. They’re pretty great for playing games on the go and can handle many modern titles without a hitch. Plus, you could nab a monitor second-hand to pair with it!
Have you checked out some budget gaming channels on YouTube? There’s a guy called budgetbuildsofficial who breaks down good budget gear. That might help you find something better than what you have in mind right now.
Honestly, $350 is going to be tough for an effective gaming PC setup. I’d recommend saving your money for something better later on. A subpar PC won’t give her a good experience, and there are better options like a used console that might fit your budget but still offer decent gaming options.
That OptiPlex isn’t going to cut it for gaming these days. You might want to look into getting a used ROG Ally or even a Steam Deck if you can swing it. That way, she can have a bit more fun without breaking the bank.
Thanks for the advice! I might just save and look for something better.