You may think you have to spend a lot of money to get a good gaming PC. However, this is not the case. Gaming PCs vary in price from $300 to $1,200, and how much money you spend depends largely on what resolution you want to game in and how you want your graphics to look.
There are many things you should consider when buying a gaming PC, and always keep in mind that you can get upgrades for cheaper gaming PCs rather than shelling out a ton of money for a top model.
Before you purchase an inexpensive gaming PCs, there are a few things you should know.
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Why the Power of a PC Is So Important When Gaming
One of the most critical elements of your new gaming PC is the power supply. If you do not invest in a good power supply, you will shorten the lifespan of your motherboard, graphics card, and processor.
In other words, not spending a bit more cash on a power supply means you will waste all the money you spend on those other parts. Additionally, a heavy-duty power supply will help you overclock your CPU and GPU, allowing for performance gains and better power and heat management.
Can You Game with a Walmart PC?
If you’re in the market for a new gaming PC, you may be tempted to purchase it from Walmart since they are the largest retailer in the U.S. But you should know going in that Walmart sells SI-built systems that they put their name on, with pretty mixed results.
If you are looking for a decent gaming PC that won’t break the bank from Walmart, skip the SI-builts and go straight for the HP Pavilion Gaming R5 1650 Super, 8GB/256GB Gaming Desktop Tower – they call it the HP Pavilion Gaming TG01-0023w.
Click here for a great in-depth review of the HP Pavilion Gaming TG01-0023w.
Can You Game with a Best Buy PC?
Another popular electronics retailer is Best Buy, and they have a big selection of gaming PCs at a variety of price points. Unlike Walmart, they do not sell their own branded gaming PCs, choosing to carry many recognizable brands like CyberPower, Razer, and more. Many of the gaming PCs that Best Buy carries have reviews that are five stars, and some even come in bundles that include a keyboard and mouse.
Can You Upgrade a Walmart PC?
If you purchased the HP Pavilion Gaming TG01-0023w or another gaming PC from Walmart, you should be able to upgrade it yourself with minimal fuss. Adding more storage space or a new motherboard or video card can greatly improve this lower-priced PC’s performance in the long term.
Can You Upgrade a Best Buy PC?
If you purchased a gaming PC from Best Buy, they have some neat features you should know about. If you bring your gaming PC into most Best Buy locations, they will remove and replace hardware for you as long as none of the parts are too old. Additionally, Best Buy employees can load most new software into your gaming PC for you.
Do You Have to Spend a Lot of Money for a Gaming PC?
As mentioned above, how much you spend on your new gaming PC depends largely on the graphics quality in which you want to game. There are other important factors such as performance, speed, and extra features.
But generally speaking, if you want to game in 720p, it will cost around $300 to $400. If you want to game in 1440p or higher, it will run you about $1000 to $1200 for the PC itself and another $400 to $600 in peripheral equipment.
Things to Consider when Budgeting for a Gaming PC
If you’re trying to figure out how much to budget for a gaming PC, you should consider these four things:
- How much you want to spend. You probably have other expenses to consider, so it is critical that you figure out the maximum amount of money you want to spend on a gaming PC.
- Performance and prioritization. What are you looking for in a gaming PC? Are you more concerned with graphics or performance?
- Extra features. Do you want a gaming PC that comes with LED RGB lights? What about a mechanical mouse or keyboard?
- The right fit for you. Should you get a tower PC with a monitor, or a gaming laptop?
I hope you benefited from these tips on purchasing an inexpensive gaming PC. Please share any additional helpful information you may have in the comments section!
