My PS5 was damaged by a lightning-related power surge, and I recently found out that repairing it could cost up to about $320 USD, possibly more depending on the parts. Instead of putting that money into the console, I'm considering saving for a gaming PC.
I'd mainly use it for gaming, browsing the internet, and a little studying. My full-time job has been slow, so my budget is limited and I want to spend carefully. I've seen builds ranging from around $1,000 to $1,500, with some closer to $2,000, but I'm not experienced enough with PC parts to know which ones are actually worthwhile. How much should I realistically save for a well-built PC, assuming I'm buying in USD?
4 Answers
There are decent prebuilt systems available for about $1,100, especially if you find a sale. That’s a reasonable target if you don’t want to assemble the computer yourself, but check the exact parts rather than judging by the graphics card alone.
If you’re comfortable buying used, around $1,200 can sometimes get you a much stronger gaming PC than buying new. Used systems with high-end graphics cards may be listed around $1,500, and negotiating can bring the price down. Just test everything carefully and verify the components before paying.
For an all-new build, I’d save at least $1,300 so you have room for balanced parts instead of cutting corners. Your ideal budget depends heavily on whether you want 1080p or 1440p gaming and what refresh rate your monitor supports.
For a solid midrange system using all new parts, plan on roughly $1,300–$1,500. That should be enough for a good 1440p gaming experience without paying for unnecessarily high-end components. Around $1,800–$2,000 gets you a more powerful build, while $3,000 or more is generally overkill for most people.
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