I'm looking to move from a PS5 to a gaming PC and would appreciate some advice on what parts or systems I should consider. I previously bought a prebuilt PC for my son, but it struggled with games like Rust, so I'd prefer to understand what I'm buying this time rather than choosing blindly. My main games would include Call of Duty and other high-frame-rate shooters. I'm in Northern Ireland, have a budget of roughly £2,000–£3,000 or possibly a little more, and currently don't own any PC peripherals. I'm also unsure what monitor size and refresh rate would make sense, since I currently play on a 65-inch TV.
4 Answers
A PC usually costs more upfront than a console, but it can last longer because you can upgrade individual parts. You may eventually lower graphics settings as newer games arrive, but you won’t necessarily need to replace the whole system. Make sure any prebuilt includes the exact CPU, GPU, RAM, storage, motherboard, and power supply models rather than just vague labels like “gaming PC.”
If high frame rates are your priority, an AMD X3D processor such as the Ryzen 7 7800X3D or a newer equivalent is a strong choice, paired with 32GB of DDR5 memory. For the graphics card, AMD’s RX 9070 or 9070 XT offers plenty of performance and VRAM for 1440p gaming; Nvidia is worth considering if you specifically want features such as DLSS, ray tracing, or better creator software support. Don’t spend the entire budget on the GPU—also allow for a reliable 750W–850W power supply, a decent motherboard, a 1TB or 2TB NVMe SSD, and good cooling. UK retailers such as Overclockers UK can be useful for comparing complete systems, but check the upgrade options before buying.
A prebuilt can still be a good option, especially for a first gaming PC, as long as the parts are clearly listed and the power supply and motherboard aren’t low-quality. For current gaming, I’d look for at least a modern six-core CPU, 16GB of RAM as a starting point, and a graphics card around the RTX 5060 Ti/RX 9060 XT level or better. With a £2,000–£3,000 budget, you should be able to build or buy something considerably stronger than that. Building yourself can save money, but a reputable prebuilt is perfectly reasonable if you don’t want to assemble it.
For competitive shooters, monitor size doesn’t directly determine frame rate; the resolution and the hardware do. A 24- or 27-inch 1080p or 1440p monitor with a 144Hz-to-240Hz refresh rate is more practical for Call of Duty than a 32-inch display or a 65-inch TV. A 27-inch 1440p high-refresh monitor would be a good all-round choice, while 32 inches is fine if you prefer a larger image. You’ll also need a keyboard, mouse, headset or speakers, and possibly a suitable desk.
That’s useful to know. I mainly want something that will run current games well without needing major upgrades straight away, so I’ll make sure the parts are listed individually.