If you’re one of those gamers who believe PCs are the master race, you might be saving up to build the ultimate machine of your dreams. Previously, a good PC would cost you an arm and a leg and still not come up to par with the best consoles out there. However, with more efficient manufacturing and supply mechanisms, its components are not that prohibitively expensive anymore. So, your dream PC can become a reality now!

Even so, before taking the leap, there are a few things you must consider. Even with lower prices, a top-notch PC can still cost thousands of dollars. You need to think carefully about your requirements, the use you’ll get out of it, and whether you have the budget for it. If you’re the type of person who’d just prefer to take advantage of their Spectrum TV packages in your free time, and only want to game occasionally, a PC might not be for you. However, if you’re sure you want one, here are a few things to keep in mind.

Are You Building Or Buying?

Are you planning to buy a ready-made PC or are you going to build one yourself? Think about your requirements and see whether buying a PC makes sense for you. If you don’t need extremely high graphics and are not going to be playing a host of AAA games, you can just buy the best option for you.

However, if you have some really high-quality games in mind which have some very high RAM and graphic card requirements, you’ll need to gather the components yourself and build them. This can be a labor of love, and you can customize it as much as you want, down to the aesthetics and how your case will look. You can go the full Razer RGB Chroma look if you go for customization and be the envy of your other PC gamer friends.

How Much Will It Cost?

This is the primary concern you should be thinking of. Before making a decision, make a budget plan and see whether what you need fits into it. Some parts you want might be in short supply and hence cost quite a lot.

Often, the prices of PC components tend to fluctuate according to availability. In addition, cryptocurrency mining has led to huge issues in the graphic card market, leading to prices going sky-high in some instances. You need to know where you’ll get your components at the best prices and know when to grab them before they run out.

What Other Accessories Will You Need?

 

A gaming PC does not just mean the CPU. There are a number of other peripherals that go with it. The cost and choice of these peripherals completely depend on you as there is a wide range of them available in the market.

However, a basic keyboard and mouse with a simple LCD monitor may not be enough for your gaming needs. You’ll want to complement your computer with the best peripherals you can get, and may also have an aesthetic theme in mind. In addition, you may be planning a whole gaming station, complete with the best gaming chair you can buy and a bunch of posters from your favorite games.

Which Games Will You Play?

The problem you might have with consoles is that their capabilities are fixed and only go up to a certain limit. However, game developers have lucrative deals with console companies, with exclusives involved. Sony is particularly strong with this approach and if you get a PC instead of a PS4 or PS5, you might completely miss out on some of the best games of the generation.

However, if you’re someone who plays more MMORPGs like World of Warcraft, or first-person shooters like Overwatch, you can make do with a PC well enough. Just think carefully about what your gaming habits are and what type of titles you’ll potentially buy.

Is It The Right Time?

Time can be the most crucial aspect when buying or building a PC. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the manufacturing of electronic components was adversely affected, leading to a shortage of essential parts for PCs. This meant that prices were sky-high. So, before making the decision, see what the state of the market is, and whether there are some upcoming products or developments. Usually, when companies announce new products, the prices of their old ones fall and you can snap them up.

In conclusion, a PC can be a major commitment. However, if you are a dedicated gamer who loves high-quality graphics and unbelievable framerates, go for it!