I'm trying to decide whether I should build a gaming PC for around $600 or go for a high-end option that costs about $1300. Recently, I shared my thoughts about possibly selling my laptop to get either a good PC and a MacBook or just a really good PC. I'm focused on game development and using software like Blender, FL Studio, and have a project in mind that will take 2-3 hours involving horror themes and heavy music cinematics. I also have an older PC with an i7-11700K and 32GB of RAM, but I'm worried that components like the CPU and GPU might have heat damage from a rough living situation. I'm considering whether it's worth it to just upgrade my parts or invest in something completely new for the best performance. Should I go for a beefy PC without any portable options or split my budget and get both a MacBook and a $600 PC?
3 Answers
Your old setup isn't terrible, but if you're really concerned about the PSU and GPU's reliability, it might be smart to replace them with your budget. I found a part list that would update your system for about $600, including a decent RTX 5070. Check it out—upgrading those parts could give you a solid gaming experience!
Honestly, for $600, it’s tough to find anything better than your old rig. If you're worried about its reliability, you might want to save up for a thousand bucks instead for a proper upgrade.
What’s the real difference going to be between a $600 and a $1000 build?
I suggest holding off until you can save at least $1000. It’ll give you way more options for building something that’ll last and perform better. Sometimes it’s worth waiting to invest a bit more upfront.
How much better would a $1000 setup really be, performance-wise, compared to a $600 one?
If there's any heat damage, investing in a new GPU and PSU might risk frying your old CPU too. It's such a gamble when you're unsure about the health of your components.