Gaming Computers

How To Buy a Gaming PC

Are you looking at buying the gaming PC you have long saved up your money for? Perhaps you want to get the best possible value out of an upgrade? Maybe you’re a parent tired of hearing your child beg for a gaming PC, but you’re feeling lost?

The aim of our Computer Doctors Gaming PC guide is to help you feel more confident in your knowledge and your decisions when buying a gaming PC.

 

Key Considerations

• Designing your own custom PC is the best way to ensure that your computer meets your specific needs and your personal preferences.
• You should have a budget in mind before picking out parts for your gaming PC.
• Any gaming PC should be well-balanced for a good gaming experience — we’ll help you with this here in this very guide!
• If you plan to upgrade your gaming PC in the future, you do need to plan for that now when you’re initially buying a gaming PC.

 

We consider Budget, Balance, and Upgradability to be the three most important considerations when buying a gaming PC. You want your gaming PC to be well-balanced.

 

So, what does a "well-balanced" gaming PC actually mean?

Think of your PC like a sports car. A car with a powerful engine but worn-out tyres won't perform the way you'd hope — and a gaming PC works the same way. Every component needs to pull its weight. If you spend almost your entire budget on a top-of-the-range graphics card but pair it with a weak processor, your shiny GPU will be sitting around waiting for the CPU to catch up. This is called a bottleneck, and it's one of the most common mistakes we see. A well-balanced build means your components complement each other, so nothing is holding the rest back.

 

The Core Components — and How to Balance Them

Here's our quick rundown of the key parts of any gaming PC, and what to keep in mind for each:

CPU (Processor)

The brain of your PC. For gaming, you don't necessarily need the most expensive chip on the market, but you do want something that can keep up with your GPU. As a rule of thumb, aim to spend roughly half the amount on your CPU as your GPU, or at least within the same performance tier.

GPU (Graphics Card)

This is the heart of a gaming PC, and typically where you'll invest the most. The GPU handles everything you see on screen. Popular options from AMD and NVIDIA cover a wide range of budgets — and we'd always recommend checking recent comparisons, reviews and benchmarks before buying, as the market moves quickly.

RAM - How Much Do You Need?

16GB is the minimum you'll want for a modern gaming PC. Beyond that, the right amount depends on the kinds of games you play, whether you multitask while gaming, and how future-proof you want your build to be — it's worth doing a little research into the titles you're planning to play and what the developers recommend, this is usually called “recommended specifications” and with a quick search online, you should be able to find this.

Storage

An M.2 SSD (Solid State Drive) for your operating system and key games is a must — it'll make your PC feel fast and responsive. Adding a larger HDD for extra storage is a cost-effective way to give yourself room for a big game library on a budget.

Motherboard

Often overlooked, but very important! Your motherboard needs to be compatible with your chosen CPU, and ideally have room to grow — extra RAM slots, PCIe slots, and good power delivery make future upgrades much easier.

PSU (Power Supply Unit)

Don't skimp here as it could ultimately turn your expensive gaming PC into a very large brick should it go wrong. A quality PSU from a reputable brand keeps your components safe and stable. Look for at least an 80+ Bronze rating, and make sure it has enough wattage headroom for your build. If you’re unsure of your power requirements, there are PSU calculators online which can help you decide.

Cooling

Whether you go for air cooling or a liquid cooler, keeping your components at a healthy temperature is key to long-term performance and reliability. There was a point where liquid coolers significantly outperformed air coolers but nowadays, air coolers have caught up and either option is valid.

 

A Quick Guide to Budget Tiers

Not sure how to divide your budget? Here's a rough starting framework:

Entry-level (Typically £700–£1000): Great for 1080p gaming at medium-to-high settings. Focus on a solid GPU and a mid-range CPU, typically from previous hardware generations for the best value for money.

Mid-range (Typically £1000–£1,800): The sweet spot for most gamers. 1080p at ultra settings or smooth 1440p gaming is very achievable.

High-end (Typically £1,800+): For 1440p or 4K gaming, high refresh rate monitors, or those who simply want the best. Plan carefully — the law of diminishing returns kicks in at this level.

 

Planning for the Future

One thing we always tell our customers: think about where you want to be in two or three years, not just today. Choosing a motherboard with upgrade headroom, or leaving space in your case for an extra GPU or more RAM, can save you a lot of money down the line. Buying a slightly larger PSU than you currently need, for example, costs very little extra now but could save you replacing it entirely when you upgrade.