I'm starting university soon and need a computer mainly for coursework, browsing, and everyday tasks, but I'd also like to play most games smoothly. My budget is about £800 for the PC itself. I'm not very familiar with hardware and have been comparing new and used systems online, so I'm unsure which specifications offer good value and which components or listings I should avoid. Should I build one, buy a prebuilt system, or consider a laptop instead?
2 Answers
A sensible budget build could use a Ryzen 5-class processor, 16GB of DDR4 memory, a 1TB SSD, and a graphics card such as an Intel Arc B570 or another current mid-range card. Choose a case with good airflow and a known-brand 600W power supply. You don’t need an expensive CPU cooler for a normal university-and-gaming system, and an SSD will make everyday work feel much faster than using a hard drive. A prebuilt system may be easier if you don’t want to assemble the parts, but compare every component rather than judging it by the processor alone.
Before comparing systems, make sure the £800 is only for the computer and not also a monitor, keyboard, mouse, or other accessories. You should also decide whether you need a laptop for taking notes and working in different places, since a desktop gives you more gaming performance but is much less portable.
The £800 is just for the PC. I’m mainly looking for advice on which specifications are worth prioritising.