A budget gaming PC for under $1,000 is still possible

Inflation, tariffs, RAM and chip shortages: there are many reasons why finding a solid desktop computer for less than $1,000 seems increasingly difficult. This is especially true if you are a gamer and need a certain level of performance. PC gaming may have many advantages over consoles, but price isn’t one of them. With almost every component, from CPUs and GPUs to storage and RAM, currently experiencing wild price fluctuations (and trending toward the more expensive end of the spectrum), getting decent hardware that fits your budget can seem impossible.

That said, there are still ways to get a reasonably equipped desktop for under $1,000, you just have to be smart, strategic, and in some cases patient (you can also consider cheap upgrades to turn a standard desktop into a gaming PC). The key is to either wait for a juicy sale from a pre-built manufacturer or build it yourself, following the wisdom of generations of PC enthusiasts. Although prices for pre-built products are more reasonable than they have been in previous eras, there is no equivalent in value for savvy DIY construction.

However, building your own PC isn’t for everyone. While this is easier than ever before, with the overabundance of resources and tutorials online, it remains an expensive process and can often include a frustrating amount of trial and error. For those who simply don’t want to commit to the effort of a DIY build, or don’t have time to fit one into a busy schedule, there are some low-budget prebuilt PC options available if you’re smart and patient.

The key to purchasing pre-made products is timing. There are obvious times when prices will be depressed, such as around Black Friday. Many pre-made manufacturers are now even included in sales at specific retailers, like Amazon’s Prime Days (or in counter-programming with their own sales). But there are also niche periods where purchasing pre-made products is advantageous. These include times like the release of a new GPU line, where the previous generation is likely to be postponed.

You should also keep your eyes peeled for major retailers’ liquidation cycles in January and late summer, when inventory refreshes often mean deep discounts. Regardless of when you shop, be strategic in how you shop. Don’t ask “Is this PC good?” ” but rather something like “how many FPS per dollar do I get with this version?” » Prioritize the GPU and start with basic RAM and storage. You can always upgrade later.

If you have the time and patience, you’ll never find better value than building a machine yourself. If you choose this route, you’re in luck: It’s easier than ever to find, buy, and assemble parts for a DIY desktop gaming PC. Start with PC Part Picker. It’s the ultimate resource for building your own PC. Not only is it full of guides on how to get started, choose parts, and put them together into a final build, but it also includes a huge library of full builds that you can use as a guide.

You can choose one as your model, based on filters like price, GPU, or many other variables, and then track it precisely or modify it as you see fit. Of course, you can also create your own version from scratch. Either start with a barebones kit including a case, motherboard, PSU and sometimes cooling and CPU, or choose each part individually.

PC Part Picker will ensure that all your components work together in harmony and will set up purchasing links where you can purchase them all at competitive prices. That said, the same pricing tips I mentioned in the prebuilt section apply to components. It’s often best to wait for sales, whether they’re major events like Black Friday or following the introduction of a new CPU or GPU series.