Gaming PC: how to set your budget and choose the right configuration

Start with your target resolution and frame rate, not your budget

Before setting an amount, it helps to define what you actually want to achieve: playing in Full HD at 60 frames per second, aiming for 1440p at 144 Hz, or chasing maximum smoothness in Full HD for competitive play. These goals directly determine the level of graphics card and processor you'll need — and therefore the realistic budget to plan for. Starting from the desired outcome helps you avoid buying components that are oversized for nothing, or conversely too weak to fully enjoy your favourite games.

The graphics card: the component to prioritise

In almost every gaming setup, the graphics card is the component that has the biggest impact on in-game performance. It's generally advisable to allocate the largest share of your budget to it, then pick a processor powerful enough not to hold it back (an imbalance known as "bottlenecking"). There's no need to chase the very latest model: previous generations often offer excellent performance for the price, especially second-hand or during sales.

RAM, storage and power supply: the components people overlook

16 GB of RAM is a solid starting point for most recent games today, with 32 GB recommended if you stream live or do heavy multitasking. An NVMe SSD noticeably speeds up loading times compared to a classic hard drive. Finally, the power supply is a component that's far too often neglected: a quality unit, sized with a reasonable margin above the system's actual power draw, protects the whole build and prevents instability.

Buy a pre-built PC or build your own?

A pre-built PC saves time and usually comes with an overall warranty, which reassures buyers who are less comfortable with hardware. Building your own setup takes a bit more time and research, but often delivers better performance for the same budget, and lets you pick each component precisely according to your needs. Both approaches are valid: it all depends on how much time you want to spend and how comfortable you are with PC building.

Our selection method

We compare builds and components based on user reviews, performance tests published by the specialised press, and how the advertised specifications stack up against real-world prices. We update our recommendations regularly to track price changes and the arrival of new components. Discover our up-to-date selection on the PCs & Components page.

Real models we recommend