Hey everyone! I'm hoping to get my wife a computer without going over a $500 budget. She's just starting to enjoy gaming and would love something that can handle games like Raft, Minecraft (normal and heavily modded), It Takes Two, Sims 4, Fallout 4, and GTA V. She's even interested in future titles like GTA VI!
For context, my current setup is an iBuyPower Trace Mesh series with a GEFORCE RTX 4060, an i7, and 32 GB of RAM, which I got for $1200 at Costco. I want to find a new computer or parts that would give her a decent gaming experience while keeping under that $500 mark.
I know I could spend more for a better build, but she's really uncomfortable with that price, and I totally understand her hesitation. I'd really appreciate any recommendations for pre-built systems or parts that I could combine to make something durable and effective for her gameplay. Thanks for any help!
5 Answers
You might actually consider streaming services like Game Pass Ultimate or GeForce Now. It could be a low-nick cost way for her to play while deciding if a heavier investment is necessary. Plus, you could get a budget setup now and plan for a better GPU later.
To be real, aiming for GTA VI and a $500 budget is a mismatch. I suggest letting her play some older titles first and see if she really enjoys them. Not every gamer loves the graphics-heavy experience. Also, by the time she decides she wants a better setup, the next generation of hardware might be out, and she can choose based on her preferences then.
For $600, you could put together a decent system with an AMD CPU. You can start with a basic setup now and upgrade the graphics card in a few years. That way, she has a platform that can last a long time. Just know that you won't want to wait too long if new parts come out soon; prices shift fast!
Totally agree! A solid foundation gives flexibility for upgrades later.
If you’re looking to stay under $500, checking the used market is your best bet. Look for a used office PC that can fit a low-profile GPU. They might not give the best performance, but it’ll be cheaper and much better than buying new within that budget.
Honestly, it's going to be tough to meet that budget while satisfying her gaming needs. If you're handy with building PCs, you could transfer your current setup into a smaller, nicer case for her and upgrade your own rig in the process. That could be a creative way to get around the budget issue while technically getting yourself a new system!
Exactly! Plus, a lot of the components you choose can last you a while, meaning you won’t need to replace everything at once.