I'm planning my first proper gaming PC and have around $2,000–$2,500 AUD for the computer itself. My priorities are smooth 1440p gaming, reliable PCVR with minimal stuttering, and good cooling for long gaming sessions. Some RGB fans or lighting would be nice, but performance matters more than flashy components. I'd also like enough storage for a decent game library and recommendations for a reasonably priced 1440p monitor. I don't need peripherals yet, since I'll buy those separately. I'm in Australia and would prefer parts available from Australian retailers. I'm new to building, so I'd appreciate an explanation of why each component is suitable rather than just a parts list. I'm specifically looking for individual parts, not a prebuilt, because a friend will help me assemble it.
3 Answers
At the moment, Australian component prices are fairly rough compared with last year. A realistic build around this budget may look closer to a Ryzen 5 9600X or similar CPU, a Radeon RX 9060 XT-class graphics card, 32GB of memory, and a 1TB NVMe SSD. That should be a solid 1440p gaming and PCVR starting point, although higher-end combinations that were possible previously may now exceed the budget. Put most of the money into the graphics card, then choose a reliable power supply and case with good airflow. RGB fans can be added without spending much, but they shouldn’t come at the cost of cooling or GPU performance.
Compare prices carefully before buying because Australian retailers can vary a lot between sales. StaticICE is useful for checking component prices, and it’s worth comparing Amazon Australia, PCCaseGear, Mwave, Scorptec, Centre Com, and JW Computers. If memory and SSD prices continue rising, you may get better value by waiting for a sale. For PCVR, make sure the graphics card has the required outputs and that your chosen headset’s wired or wireless connection is supported; a stable network is also important for wireless VR.
If the $2,000–$2,500 limit only covers the PC, reserve the monitor budget separately. A 1440p high-refresh-rate monitor is a good match for this type of build, but it’s better to buy a slightly less flashy display than to downgrade the graphics card. For cooling, choose a case with a ventilated front panel and several quality fans, along with a decent tower air cooler or appropriately sized liquid cooler. That will matter more during long gaming and VR sessions than having extensive RGB.
I’m definitely after individual parts rather than a prebuilt, since a friend will help me buy the components and assemble everything.