What budget-friendly PC build would be good for a first-time PC gamer?
Asked by
SunnyMaple42
I've been a console gamer my entire life and want to try PC gaming, but I'm not sure which parts, brands, or prebuilt systems offer the best value. My budget is around $800 USD, and I mainly want to play Fallout: New Vegas and GTA IV. What would longtime PC users recommend for a reliable starter system with room for future upgrades?
Answers
You may be able to save a lot by buying secondhand. Older systems with a 9th-generation Core i3 or i5, 16GB of DDR4, and an RX 580 can be very inexpensive and would be more than enough for Fallout: New Vegas. That also gives you a cheap platform to learn on before building a newer PC.
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If you want upgrade options later, DDR5 is worth considering, but don’t sacrifice the graphics card or power-supply quality just to get the newest platform. Choose a reliable PSU with some wattage headroom, since replacing it later is more hassle than spending a little extra upfront.
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An $800 budget can work for a decent starter PC, especially if you’re buying a prebuilt or finding deals on parts. Fallout: New Vegas is easy to run, but GTA IV can be unusually demanding and poorly optimized even on stronger hardware. Make sure the system has at least 16GB of RAM, an SSD, and a reasonable midrange graphics card.
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Since those are older games, you don’t need a brand-new high-end machine. A used system with something like a Ryzen 5 or Core i5, 16GB of RAM, and an RX 580-class graphics card should handle them well. Just inspect the condition, check that the power supply is from a reputable brand, and make sure the system works before buying.
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