If you’re considering purchasing a gaming PC, you may have asked yourself, “Is $700 good for a gaming PC?” Well, the answer to this question is a bit complicated. It depends on what you’re looking for and what your budget is. To find out if a $700 gaming PC is a good buy for you, let’s break down the components and features available at this price point.
The most important parts of any gaming PC are the graphics card, processor and RAM. Typically, you won’t find anything really high-end in this price range, as most of the parts that can really boost gaming performance are more expensive. That being said, you’ll still get decent performance with a budget of $700.
In terms of the processor, you’ll likely be looking at an AMD or Intel dual-core processor. It won’t be the most powerful chip in the world, but it will get the job done. For graphics, you’ll want to spring for at least an Nvidia GTX 1060 with 6GB of RAM, or an AMD Radeon RX570 with 8GB of RAM. These will give you plenty of power for your gaming needs.
Aside from the hardware, there are a few other things to consider when looking at gaming PCs in this price range. First, the chassis should be fairly lightweight and well-ventilated, allowing the internals to stay cool and the PC to stay quiet. Second, you should look for a PC with lots of storage space, such as a 1-2TB hard drive. Finally, you’ll want to make sure the PC is upgradable, allowing you to replace the internals with higher-end parts in the future.
Overall, a $700 gaming PC can be a great purchase depending on what you’re looking for. It won’t be the highest-end gaming PC, but it should provide decent performance and be upgradable when necessary. If you’re on a tight budget and don’t need the latest and greatest hardware, then $700 is a reasonable price to pay.
Graphics Card
The graphics card is one of the most important components in a gaming PC. A good graphics card can make the difference between mediocre and incredible gaming performance. When looking at graphics cards in the $700 range, you’ll be looking at mid-range cards such as the Nvidia GTX 1060 and the AMD RX 570. While these cards won’t give you ultra-high graphics settings in the latest games, they will still provide solid gaming performance in a wide range of games.
When looking for a graphics card in this price range, it’s important to pay attention to the amount of VRAM. The more VRAM a card has, the better the performance will be. Generally, 6GB of VRAM is the minimum you should be looking for. You should also be aware of the clock speed, which determines how quickly the card can process data. The higher the clock speed, the faster the card will be.
Most importantly, make sure the card is compatible with your motherboard. Different motherboards have different slots for graphics cards, so make sure you get one that fits. If you’re unsure, you can always check the manufacturer’s specs for compatibility.
Processor
When considering a gaming PC, it’s important to think about the processor as well. The processor is responsible for crunching numbers and performing calculations, so the faster it is, the quicker you’ll see results. At the $700 price point, you’ll likely be looking at dual-core processors from AMD or Intel. These processors won’t be the fastest on the market, but they’ll still get the job done.
When looking at processors in this price range, it’s important to consider the core count. The more cores a processor has, the better it will be able to handle multitasking and multitreaded tasks such as gaming or streaming. You should also pay attention to the clock speed, which determines how quickly the processor can calculate data. Generally, a minimum clock speed of 3.0GHz is recommended for gaming.
Finally, you’ll want to make sure the processor is compatible with your motherboard. Different motherboards have different sockets for processors, so make sure you get one that fits. If you’re unsure, you can always check the manufacturer’s specs for compatibility.
RAM
RAM, or random-access memory, is an important component for any gaming PC. The more RAM you have, the faster data can be processed. When looking at gaming PCs in the $700 range, 8GB of RAM is the minimum you should be looking for. 16GB of RAM is preferable, however this may push your budget past $700.
It’s important to pay attention to the type of RAM you’re buying as well. Most modern gaming PCs will use DDR4 RAM, which offers higher speeds and better performance than its predecessors. You also want to make sure the RAM is rated at least 2133MHz or higher, as this will ensure it can keep up with the processor.
Finally, you’ll want to make sure the RAM is compatible with your motherboard. Different motherboards have different RAM slots, so make sure you get the correct type. If you’re unsure, you can always check the manufacturer’s specs for compatibility.
Storage
Storage is an often overlooked component of any gaming PC. Games, movies, music and other files can quickly fill up your hard drive. To make sure you have enough storage to cover your needs, you’ll want to look for a gaming PC with at least 1TB of storage space. This should give you enough room for a few large games and lots of media files.
The type of storage you get is important as well. Solid state drives (SSD) offer faster performance than traditional hard drives, but they are more expensive. If you’re on a tight budget, a 6GB/s hard drive should be plenty for your needs. You should also look for a gaming PC that has expandable storage, such as an extra drive bay or M.2 slot.
Finally, you’ll want to make sure the storage is compatible with your motherboard. Different motherboards have different SATA ports, so make sure you get one that fits. If you’re unsure, you can always check the manufacturer’s specs for compatibility.
Upgradeability
If you’re looking for a gaming PC, upgradeability should be a major factor in your purchasing decision. As technology progresses, better and more powerful components become available. If you’re stuck with an old processor or graphics card, you won’t be able to take advantage of the newer hardware.
That’s why it’s important to look for a gaming PC that’s easy to upgrade. Most gaming PCs will come with some degree of upgradability, such as extra RAM slots or expandable storage. You should also look for a PC with a case that’s easy to access. This will make it easier to install or replace components such as graphics cards or drives.
Finally, you’ll want to make sure the components you buy are compatible with your motherboard. Different motherboards have different slots and ports, so make sure you get components that fit. If you’re unsure, you can always check the manufacturer’s specs for compatibility.
