Performance comes at a price. That’s especially true in PC Gaming. To run a game on its highest settings, you’d need a proper gaming PC. Such a setup typically cost more than a thousand dollars—some of the latest even reach two thousand!

Most people get discouraged by that price range and would rather just buy a console as it’s cheaper.

However, gaming PCs (even mid-tier ones) are more powerful than any consoles. For a truly immersive experience, you can’t go wrong with a gaming PC.

That said, if you’re thinking of buying one, consider these methods on how you can buy a gaming PC on a budget:

Seek a Financer

Some computer retailers and storefronts hold sales and give discounts with little to no warning—or, at least, not enough notice for you to save cash. Sometimes, those events may have deals which are too good to pass up; thus, when they do appear, you may want to go through a financer for a loan.

A few storefronts even offer financing specifically for buying gaming PCs with around a ten percent annual percentage rate of charge. That’s a sweeter deal if you don’t have the moolah now but are expecting a big cash bonus soon.

Being too patient and choosing to save money over buying discounted PCs may cost you more if you tally and compare your total expenses. So when a huge deal presents itself, consider it well. It may be a great opportunity for you to finally buy a good gaming PC.

Gradual DIY Assembly

The beauty of PCs is that each component can be replaced and upgraded individually. If you can’t afford a whole Gaming Set right now, you can just buy one piece at a time. Gaming sets are more expensive because from a retailer’s point of view, the sum is greater than its parts. Individual components cost less than their packaged counterparts.

Start with a decent Motherboard. It’s a good idea to get the latest one as they’re usually compatible with components two generations ahead, meaning you’ll have more flexibility for upgrades over the years. So although it may be expensive, a state-of-the-art motherboard can save you more money in the long run, and keeping it well-maintained can extend its lifespan to almost a decade.

Once you have that foundation, you can begin buying the core parts: CPU, RAM chips, GPU, and an SSD (or an HDD) in that order. Check if each component is compatible with your motherboard. For example, CPUs follow your motherboard’s brand (i.e., an AMD CPU for an AMD motherboard or an Intel CPU for an Intel motherboard).

Those aside, make sure to get a cooling system strong enough to prevent your PC from overheating, a power supply unit powerful enough to keep it running, and a case large enough to protect it. The peripherals (e.g., monitor, mouse, keyboard, etc.) come last.

Buy Pre-Loved

Secondhand rigs are always cheaper than brand new sets (or components). Before you go on a shopping spree, browse Amazon, eBay, or Craigslist if there’s a seller for used PCs. You could probably negotiate and shave a hundred dollars off an item’s price depending on its condition.

Of course, used PCs may not always be in good condition. Some sets may only last a couple of years before they break down. Thus, caveat emptor.

Final Tip

You don’t have to limit yourself to one method. You could buy a brand new motherboard and CPU then the rest can be purchased secondhand.

You could also get a loan for a gaming set, dismantle it, sell certain parts, then replace those with cheaper models. This may void your warranty so be careful.

PCs are all about choices. The only constraint is your budget. With these tips, you may be able to squeeze more value to your money and finally get a proper gaming PC.