Price Performance PC

27/03/2026

https://youtu.be/GbRxEhaxCew?si=XrYeM-mbxQrOaC23

We're all living through fuel shortages, but now there’s also a shortage of computer memory technology, and it's forcing up the prices of everything from pho...

26/03/2026

Fortnite still plays well in 2026 with an older generation i7-9700 and RTX 2080 Super.

21/03/2026

Keep money in your wallet and save PCs from landfill.

08/03/2026

The RTX 2080 Super was released back in 2019. Let's see how it performs in this Unreal Engine 5 tech demo of Venice released late 2025. This was captured at 1080p ultra graphics settings.

https://scansfactory.gumroad.com/l/DEMO-Venice

27/02/2026

Here's how I created an i7-8700 gaming PC from $20 PCs sourced from the local tip (and a $120 RTX 2070 from marketplace). Hard to believe people throw these PCs out when they still have so much to offer.

16/02/2026

Surprised how well a decade old i7-2600K with RTX 2060 stacks up with modern titles in 2026.

13/02/2026

If you're new to the PC gaming scene you don't have to spend thousands on a gaming PC. There is now a massive list of game titles that still look and play great on older generation hardware. I picked up this i7-2600k PC for free from someone's hard waste. Reapplied the thermal paste, added an SSD then added an RTX 2060 graphics card from the marketplace for $100. 5 minutes of upgrades for hours of fun.

28/10/2025

Check out what an older generation Ryzen 5 3600X gaming PC with RTX 2070 graphics card can do in 2025.

18/10/2025

In 2025, a $500 budget PC built around the Ryzen 5 3600X cpu and RX 5700 XT graphics card still delivers gaming that looks and feels incredible. Don’t let the price fool you—this setup can still render gorgeous graphics in well optimised games. With 6 cores and 12 threads this cpu can still handle modern game engines, while the graphics card with 8gb of memory keeps those high textures and particle effects crisp and fluid. Take Mirror’s Edge Catalyst, for example: the glass towers gleam in the sunlight, the motion is fluid, and the reflections shimmer across the city as you sprint and vault from rooftop to rooftop. Even years after launch in 2016, this game still looks breathtaking—and on this rig, it runs smooth and stable at high settings, hitting over 100 frames per second in 1080p. At a time when new graphics cards can cost more than an entire system, this build proves you don’t need to break the bank for premium visuals and performance. It’s quiet, efficient, upgrade-friendly, and above all, fun to play on. This budget rig gives gamers that perfect blend of value, style, and raw speed. At just $500, it’s proof that smart builds can still perform and older games can still impress. Check out the actual gameplay recording from this budget banger.

16/08/2025

Buying a new PC can feel exciting — but not every deal is as good as it looks. Some sellers rely on flashy marketing or inflated discounts to make you think you’re getting a bargain, when in reality you’re paying too much for outdated or poorly balanced hardware. So how do you spot a bad PC deal before you buy?

First, always check the actual components. A system with an older Intel tenth-gen processor or an entry-level GPU like the GTX 1650 is far from high-end in 2025, even if the store claims it’s a gaming powerhouse. Look up the model numbers and compare benchmarks for the games or tasks you care about.

Next, watch out for unbalanced builds. Sometimes you’ll see a strong CPU paired with a weak GPU, or a flashy 64 gigabytes of RAM in a budget PC. These don’t add real value — they just waste your money.

Another red flag is overpriced branding. Some big names charge hundreds more simply for a badge on the case. Compare the cost of the individual parts to the total system price — if the markup is extreme, it’s not a good deal.

Also pay close attention to the power supply. Many prebuilts cut corners here, slipping in weak or cheap PSUs that can’t support upgrades or even shorten your system’s lifespan. A reputable, 80 Plus certified unit from Corsair, EVGA, or Seasonic is the safer bet.

Storage is another area where deals mislead. A PC that boasts two terabytes of space but only ships with a slow mechanical hard drive will feel sluggish no matter what CPU you’ve got. In 2025, every decent system should include at least a 500 gigabyte NVMe SSD for the operating system.

And finally, be cautious with so-called massive discounts. A fifty percent off gaming PC often means the retailer inflated the price to begin with, or the hardware is already years out of date.

At the end of the day, a good PC deal is about balance, quality components, and fair pricing. Don’t get caught out by shiny marketing. Do your homework, compare the parts, and you’ll walk away with a system that actually performs for the money you spend.

14/08/2025

Shopping for a gaming PC can be overwhelming, so let’s walk through exactly what to look for to get the best performance for your budget. First, decide on your budget and target performance. Entry-level gaming systems start around $1,200, mid-range builds are between $2,000 and $2,800, and high-end setups start at $3,500. Choose your target resolution and refresh rate — 1080p for lower-cost builds, 1440p for the best balance of performance and visuals, and 4K for premium systems. Also, consider the type of games you play and whether you’ll be streaming or using the PC for other workloads like editing.

Next, focus on the critical components. Your CPU processes game logic and system tasks. For mid-range builds, look at Intel Core i5-13400F or AMD Ryzen 5 7600. For high-end, consider Intel Core i7-13700K or AMD Ryzen 7 7800X3D. Your GPU has the biggest impact on frame rates and visual quality. For 1080p, choose an RTX 4060 or RX 7600; for 1440p, an RTX 4070 Super or RX 7800 XT is ideal; and for 4K, you’ll need something like an RTX 4080 Super or RX 7900 XTX. Memory is next — 16GB is the minimum, but 32GB is recommended for multitasking and future-proofing. Storage should be an NVMe SSD, at least 1TB for games and your operating system, with an HDD added if you need extra capacity. Finally, choose a motherboard that matches your CPU socket, a high-quality power supply with 80+ Gold certification, and adequate cooling for your CPU.

You can buy a prebuilt system for convenience, have a retailer assemble a custom configuration, or build it yourself for the best value. Just make sure all parts are compatible and suitable for your goals. Check performance benchmarks for your target games, avoid mismatched CPU and GPU combinations, and ensure your power supply and case allow for future upgrades. Watch for sales like EOFY, Boxing Day, and Black Friday to save money.

By following these steps, you can choose a gaming PC that delivers exactly the performance you need, without overspending. Make informed choices, and you’ll be ready for years of smooth, high-quality gaming.