I'm trying to build a gaming PC, but I feel overwhelmed because my friends say my selections aren't great, yet they haven't given me any clear advice. My budget is between $1,000 and $1,500, and I mainly want to play games like Counter-Strike and Fortnite. Right now, my current setup is just terrible, so I really need some guidance on what components to get.
2 Answers
Here are some recommended builds for your budget:
- $1,000 build: [link to parts list]
- $1,300 build: [link to parts list]
- $1,500 build: [link to parts list]
These selections are optimized for the best price-to-performance ratio. You can customize them by changing colors or adding more storage if you want. Feel free to ask me any questions!
You can actually get a solid used PC for around $400 to $509 which would perform well for what you need. Look for components like an AM4 Ryzen processor or an 8th to 11th Gen Intel chip paired with a 3060 or similar graphics card. That setup should run CS and Fortnite smoothly!

Would you recommend ordering parts online now, or should I wait for Black Friday? Is it really worth it to visit Micro Center instead of just buying online, especially since it’s a bit far for me?