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What Gaming PC to Buy for Beginners?

Picture of a gaming PC on a desk. The PC is in a white case illuminated by a diagonal white LED light.

Buying a gaming PC for the first time can be intimidating.
Entering the world of PC gaming is an exciting adventure filled with countless hours of immersive gameplay, stunning graphics, and a vibrant community of fellow gamers. However, the journey begins with a crucial decision: choosing the right gaming PC. For beginners, this can be a daunting task due to the vast array of options available. This guide will help you understand what to look for in a gaming PC and recommend some great starter options.

Understanding Your Needs

Before diving into specific recommendations, it’s important to assess your needs and preferences. Ask yourself the following questions:

  1. What types of games do you want to play?
  • Are you interested in AAA titles with high-end graphics like “Cyberpunk 2077” or “Red Dead Redemption 2”? Or maybe you like competitive e-sports titles like “League of Legends”, “Fornite”, or “Counter Strike 2”. Or maybe none of those interest you and you want to dive into complex sims or strategy games like “Flight Sim” or “Civilization”.
    The types of games you enjoy playing can inform you how much you need to spend on a PC. More demanding games are going to require more powerful hardware, which can raise the price of the desktop substantially. Vise versa, indie and esports games will require less powerful hardware to run well which will translate to a more affordable desktop.
  1. What is your budget?
  • Entry-level gaming PCs typically range from $600 to $1,000.
  • Mid-range gaming PCs range from $1,000 to $1,500.
  • More High-end gaming PCs start at $1,500 and can go well beyond $3,000.
  1. Do you need a pre-built PC or are you open to building your own?
  • Pre-built PCs are convenient and ship out in 2 business days.
  • Building your own or customizing one on our website is great way to get exactly what you want and need.

Key Components to Consider

When choosing a gaming pc, you’ll want to consider the following components.

  1. Processor (CPU):
  • For beginners, an Intel Core i5 or AMD Ryzen 5 processor is a great starting point. These provide good performance for most games without breaking the bank. Consider Intel Core i7s or Ryzen 7s if you need a bit more processing power. And lastly if you want the most powerful CPUs available the Intel Core i9s and AMD Ryzen 9 processors will be what you are looking for.
  1. Graphics Card (GPU):
  • The GPU is crucial for gaming performance. For 1080p gaming, the NVIDIA RTX 4060 or AMD RX 7600 are excellent choices. If you want to future-proof your setup or play at higher resolutions, consider the NVIDIA RTX 4070 and above or the AMD Radeon RX 7800 XT and above are great choices.
  1. Memory (RAM):
  • At least 16GB of RAM is recommended for a smooth gaming experience in 2024. This ensures your system can handle modern games and multitasking without issues. Consider 32GB or 64+GB if you want a bit more power that future proofs your system.
  1. Storage:
  • A combination of SSD and HDD is ideal. An NVMe SSD (at least 500GB) for faster load times and system responsiveness, and an HDD (1TB or more) for storing larger files and games. When you are ready to play the games you have downloaded, simply move them over to the SSD to enjoy faster load times.
  1. Power Supply Unit (PSU):
  • A reliable PSU with sufficient wattage (around 600W to 850W) ensures stability and longevity of your components. Our websites system configurator makes things easy by filtering power supplies by the power requirements of your currently selected components. That way you’ll always get a power supply that fits for your system.
  1. Motherboard:
  • Ensure compatibility with your chosen CPU. Higher end motherboards come with more advanced features like built in WiFi and Bluetooth, more connectivity like USB-C or more ports, and improved overclocking stability.

Recommended Pre-Built Gaming PCs for Beginners

  1. Gamer Xtreme Gaming Desktop
  • Processor: Intel Core i5-14400F
  • Graphics Card: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4060
  • Memory: 16GB
  • Storage: 1TB NVMe SSD
  • Price: $999 Regular / Currently $899.99

2. Gamer Master Gaming Desktop

    • Processor: AMD Ryzen 7 5700
    • Graphics Card: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4060 Ti
    • Memory: 16GB
    • Storage: 2TB
    • Price: $1049.99 Regular / Currently $999.99

    3. Gamer Supreme Gaming Desktop

      • Processor: AMD Ryzen 7 7800X3D
      • Graphics Card: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4070 SUPER
      • Memory: 32G
      • Storage: 2TB SSD
      • Price: $1699.99

      Choosing the right gaming PC as a beginner involves balancing performance, budget, and future needs. Understanding the key components and what to look for in a pre-built system can simplify the decision-making process. The recommended gaming desktop models (available at Best Buy) offer a range of options to suit different budgets and gaming preferences, ensuring you get the best start in your PC gaming journey. We hope you begin that journey with us. Have fun out there!

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