I'm planning to move from PS5 to PC and would like advice on choosing the parts for my first gaming setup. I'd rather build my own system instead of buying a prebuilt, since a prebuilt I bought for my son couldn't run games like Rust properly. For my own system, I mainly want to play Call of Duty and other demanding games smoothly. I'm in Northern Ireland, have a budget of roughly £2,000–£3,000 (possibly a little more), and currently don't own any PC peripherals. I'm considering a 32-inch display but would appreciate advice on monitor size and anything else I should know before getting started.
4 Answers
The screen itself doesn’t determine frame rate—the resolution and the PC’s hardware do. A smaller monitor can make it easier to use a lower resolution, but a 32-inch 1440p monitor with a high refresh rate would be a great fit. Look for around 144Hz or higher, along with adaptive sync. A 65-inch TV can work too, but a dedicated gaming monitor will usually give you a sharper image and lower input delay.
PCs generally cost more upfront than consoles, but they can remain useful for longer because you can lower settings and replace individual parts over time. If you choose a prebuilt, make sure it lists the exact CPU, GPU, motherboard, RAM, storage, and power supply. Avoid systems that hide the motherboard or PSU details, since those are often where budget builders cut corners.
With that budget, you can build a very capable current-generation PC. For high-refresh-rate gaming, look for a recent Ryzen X3D processor, 32GB of DDR5 memory, and a strong graphics card such as an RX 9070 or RX 9070 XT. Nvidia alternatives are also fine if you specifically want features like DLSS or certain ray-tracing performance. You’ll also need a suitable motherboard, power supply, fast SSD, and a well-ventilated case. If building feels intimidating, a reputable prebuilt is perfectly reasonable—just check the exact parts rather than buying based only on the graphics card name.
A sensible target would be at least 16GB of RAM and a modern midrange graphics card, but with £2,000–£3,000 available I’d go for 32GB so the system has more headroom. A Ryzen X3D chip is particularly good for high frame rates in competitive shooters. Don’t forget to budget for a Windows license, keyboard, mouse, headset, and monitor since you don’t already have peripherals.
That’s helpful, thanks. I wasn’t completely ruling out a prebuilt; I mainly want to avoid ending up with one that can’t handle the games I want to play.