I'm based in the UK and want to build my first gaming PC, but I'm completely unfamiliar with the parts and the building process. I understand that a console is usually cheaper and simpler upfront, so I'm trying to figure out whether a PC is worth it for the extra flexibility and other uses.
My budget is around £1,200, with a little room to go higher if it makes a meaningful difference. I mainly want to play Minecraft, Ready or Not, Rainbow Six Siege, Roblox, Elden Ring, and the Resident Evil remakes at a good level of performance. What components would I need, and what sort of performance could I expect? I'd also appreciate advice on choosing compatible parts and putting the system together.
4 Answers
The biggest thing to pin down is the budget, and £1,200 is a reasonable target. You don’t need an extreme PC for these games: Minecraft, Roblox, and Siege are relatively easy to run, while Elden Ring and the Resident Evil remakes are the games that should guide your graphics-card choice. A good mid-range GPU should handle them well at 1080p or 1440p with sensible settings.
Make sure your budget includes the whole tower, and remember that a monitor, keyboard, mouse, and Windows license may cost extra if you don’t already have them.
Try to stay close to your budget instead of chasing the most expensive parts. Most of the games you listed aren’t especially demanding, and Elden Ring can still look good with a few settings reduced. Building a PC is less intimidating than it seems: check compatibility carefully, watch a reputable step-by-step guide, take your time, and don’t force any connector or component. Waiting for UK sales can also make a noticeable difference.
Consoles are usually cheaper and easier at the start, but a PC can save money over time if you play a lot. You don’t need a paid subscription for most online multiplayer, PC games often receive larger discounts, and there are plenty of free games and smaller projects available. You also get a machine that can handle schoolwork, browsing, mods, and other software instead of being limited to gaming.
For a complete gaming PC, roughly £800–£1,500 covers a solid mid-range to upper-mid-range build in the UK. Above that, you’re generally getting into high-end territory, assuming the parts are well chosen. With about £1,200, you should be able to build a very capable system for those games, especially if you focus on the graphics card and don’t overspend on unnecessary extras.
A sensible build would include a modern six- or eight-core CPU, 16–32GB of RAM, a 1TB NVMe SSD, a suitable Radeon or GeForce graphics card, a reliable power supply, and a case with decent airflow. Use a current parts-listing tool or build guide to check compatibility, but don’t feel locked into every part it recommends—small changes to the processor or graphics card can make sense depending on prices.
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