I've been thinking about buying a gaming PC for around $1,500 from Micro Center, ideally with an RX 9060 XT and at least 16GB of RAM. I was planning to wait for Black Friday, but hardware prices—especially for GPUs, RAM, and storage—seem to be rising because of demand from AI and data centers. Some people say prices may keep getting worse, while others think sales are still worth waiting for. Should I keep using my PS5 and Steam Deck for now, or buy a PC as soon as I find a reasonable deal?
4 Answers
For a $1,500 budget, I’d seriously consider 32GB of RAM instead of 16GB. A 9060 XT system should handle 1080p and 1440p well, but you may get better long-term value from a build with a stronger GPU—such as a 9070 or 9070 XT—if a bundle puts it within reach. Don’t overspend just for the sake of buying now, though.
You might also look at used systems or local listings. Deals with parts such as a Ryzen 7 7700X, 32GB of RAM, a 4070-class GPU, and a 1TB SSD can sometimes cost less than a comparable new build. Ask for benchmarks, check the parts carefully, and make sure the power supply is from a reputable manufacturer.
The market is definitely rough for GPUs, memory, and SSDs, but waiting could take a long time and nobody can reliably predict when prices will fall. If your PS5 and Steam Deck already cover what you want to play, waiting for Black Friday and comparing several deals makes sense. Just set a target price ahead of time so you don’t get pressured into a bad sale.
If you need the PC and can afford it, buy when you find a solid deal rather than trying to predict the market. Black Friday should bring some discounts, but there’s no guarantee they’ll outweigh further price increases. Micro Center is likely one of the better places to compare bundles and prebuilts.
Some bundles look inexpensive because they include only one 16GB memory stick. Check whether it’s single-channel RAM, since adding a second matching stick may be necessary for the best performance.