I have a Lenovo IdeaPad Gaming 3 equipped with a GTX 1650 and Ryzen 5 5600H. Currently, I'm using an Asus VS228 monitor, but I'm not thrilled with its performance. While the monitor is bright and has saturated colors, I feel like both my laptop and monitor could use an upgrade. I'm on a tight budget but passionate about gaming. I'm considering whether to buy the AOC Q27G40XMN monitor for $200, which offers mini-LED and HDR features, or to stick with my current 1080p ASUS monitor and invest in a used PC build (like a Ryzen 2600X with either an RTX 2070 Super or RX 5700 XT) for approximately $350. I know that combining both upgrades would push my spending closer to $550-$650, which I'm not comfortable with. Any advice would be greatly appreciated!
2 Answers
You really want to keep things balanced. If you get a super powerful PC but pair it with a basic 60Hz 1080p monitor, it's like having a sports car and only driving it at 20mph. Decide on your target resolution first, and then build your system around that. A good strategy would be to set a budget for your PC and maybe hold back about $150 for an eventual monitor. Plus, if you can repurpose any parts from your existing setup, that can help save some cash!
I'd go for a better PC first. If you're just upgrading to a fancier monitor but your PC can’t handle it, you won't get to enjoy all the features anyway!
By the way, is a 4070 Ti with an i7 13700K too much for a 4K 60Hz monitor? I'm planning on passing that setup to someone else and just want to know if I should invest in a better monitor instead.