Thanks to advances in technology, PC hardware is not only more powerful than it has ever been, but it is also at a point where it is also affordable to more people. However, before you head off to your nearest BestBuy to pick up a gaming PC, there are some finer points worth noting that will help ensure you don’t end up bringing home a glorified paperweight.
Sometimes Pre-Built is Best
While there will always be those that argue that building your own PC is best, there are some definite pros to buying a pre-built machine. While it is often more expensive to buy a pre-built rig, gamers who choose this route are not only paying for their hardware. Pre-built gaming machines offer warranty service, support, as well as the knowledge that you are guaranteed a working machine when it arrives at your door. Manufacturers who build PCs also have access to components that the average Joe cannot buy, such as custom chassis and water-cooling systems, which may make the price worthwhile for some. There is also a host of options when it comes to pre-built machines, with manufacturers catering to both the budget-conscious gamer and the high-rollers. Check out this guide on Pre-Built Gaming PC’s for a taste of what is on offer this 2020.
Timing is Everything
When it comes to buying a PC, timing is almost as important as the hardware you are buying. This is because PC hardware moves in cycles, or generations, with the price of the components fluctuating during their cycle. For example, just before a new generation of graphics cards is about to be released, resellers typically drop the prices of the current generation to make space for new stock. While this can often work out in the favor of gamers looking to build their rig on a budget, it doesn’t always make complete sense as newer games might not be playable on old generation hardware. However, gamers should also be wary of buying hardware right after it has been released as not only is it at its most expensive but it’s also prone to supply issues, which could push the price up even more, and teething issues. Luckily, there are websites that specialize in giving gamers advice on things like the right time to buy a new graphics card and the like, so always be sure to do your research.
How Can I Make Best Use of My Budget?
Whether you have decided to buy a pre-built gaming PC, or build your own gaming rig, the most important part of the process is deciding how to use the budget you have to get the most out of your money. While it may be tempting to spend a huge amount of money on things like flashy new 16GB RAM chips and the fastest hard drive on the market, the reality is that some components are more important than others when it comes to gaming performance. Instead of buying the absolute best RAM and hard drive, first explore your CPU and graphics card options as these are often the biggest causes of bottlenecks when it comes to performance.
Buying a gaming PC is an exciting experience, however, to get the most out of your purchase, it is always wise to do plenty of research before you spend a single dollar so that you can rest assured that the machine you’ve spent your hard-earned money on is worth it.
