I'm hoping to buy my partner a gaming PC for Christmas, but I don't know much about computer hardware. He currently uses an ASUS Nitro AN15-57 laptop connected to a monitor, but it crashes often and gets extremely loud. We're in New Zealand, and my budget is roughly $1,000–$2,000 NZD. I've found some budget desktops, but I'm not sure whether they would actually perform better than his current laptop. Would a prebuilt or custom-built PC be the better choice, and what kind of specifications should I look for?
4 Answers
If you buy from a local store, bring a written list of the specifications you want and ask them to explain each component. Avoid vague listings that only say things like “gaming PC” without naming the exact graphics card and power supply. A prebuilt from a reputable seller is probably the safest option if you’re not comfortable assembling a computer yourself.
For New Zealand pricing, check both retailers and used listings. Buying used RAM or an SSD can reduce the total cost, and a used graphics card or complete system may also offer better value. Depending on the exact laptop graphics card, even a fairly modest modern desktop should outperform it, while also being quieter and easier to upgrade. Just make sure a used system has a reputable power supply and decent airflow.
A properly chosen desktop in that price range should be a major improvement over the laptop, especially for cooling and sustained performance. You could either build one yourself or buy a prebuilt, but compare the exact CPU, graphics card, RAM, storage, power supply, and motherboard rather than judging by the brand alone. A midrange graphics card such as an RTX 4060, RTX 5060, Intel B580, or something faster if you find a good deal would be a reasonable target.
Would you lean toward building it or buying a prebuilt? I’m worried I wouldn’t know how to assemble everything correctly.
Selling the laptop and adding that money to the desktop budget could help. Look for a system with at least 16 GB of RAM, an SSD, and a modern six-core processor. For graphics, an RTX 4060 or 5060-class card would be a sensible starting point, with an RTX 4070 or 5070-class card being preferable if one fits the budget. Marketplace deals can be good, but test the computer and check its parts before paying.
That’s a good idea. I wasn’t sure whether anyone would want a used gaming laptop, but I’ll look into selling it.
I tried asking a store, but they used a lot of hardware terms I didn’t understand. I’m going to compare the parts more carefully now.