Every autumn we get the same lovely phone call: a parent who has been told, very firmly, that a gaming PC is the only thing on the list this year, and who has no idea where to start. This guide is what we tell them over the counter. Use it wherever you end up buying.
1. Find out which games they actually play
Fortnite, Minecraft, Roblox, Valorant and EA FC run well on modest hardware. Big single-player titles and newer releases need more graphics power. A list of three or four games is the single most useful thing you can bring to any shop.
2. Check the screen they will use
A PC built for a 1080p monitor costs a lot less than one built for 1440p or 4K. If they are moving from a console on the family TV, budget for a proper monitor too. It often makes a bigger difference than a faster graphics card.
3. The graphics card matters most
For gaming, the graphics card (GPU) does the heavy lifting. A balanced machine pairs a good GPU with a sensible processor. Be wary of systems that advertise a top-end processor next to an entry-level graphics card.
4. Don't forget the boring bits
- Power supply: a reputable brand with headroom protects everything else.
- Storage: 1TB SSD minimum; modern games are huge.
- Memory: 16GB is fine to start, 32GB is comfortable.
- Warranty: ask who fixes it, where, and how quickly.
5. Ask about after-sales support
Kids will break Windows, fill the drive and want upgrades. A local shop you can ring or drop into is worth more than a small saving online.
If you want a second opinion on a spec from anywhere, send it to us through our contact page. We are happy to tell you if it is a good deal.