My budget is around $2000.
Shall I buy a $2000 laptop? Or, shall I buy a $1200 desktop and $800 monitor? I am a console gamer changing camps because of PS5/Series X shortage, so I want something quick and easy. I'll buy pre-built since I don't want to bother putting a PC together.
Thanks for your advice.
I'll play at home, so portability is not an issue. However, if I buy a laptop, I only need to choose 1. If I buy a desktop, I need to worry about both the tower and the monitor. I am a console gamer, so I don't really want to think too much. And RTX 3070 laptops are in my price range while RTX 3070 desktops are so expensive (I know they are not the same). Still confused.
A half decent gaming monitor starts at around $500, the Dell S3422DWG is a popular option as is the Xiaomi Mi curved 34 inch gaming. Both can be had for $500 when they are on sale.
You're not going to get much gaming out of a $1200 pre-built desktop. Get a console when you can.
Ideally, I'll get Series X for $700 and 4K HDR HDMI 2.1 monitor for $1300. However, I've been waiting forever and thought it would be just easier to go with laptop/desktop.
Well, just as an example of a prebuild, for $1,200 you'll get a Ryzen 3 and GTX 1650.
https://techfast.com.au/products/AMD-Ryzen-3-3100-GTX-1650-4…
That's nowhere near good enough for 4K gaming nor even 1440p at high settings. You'll be stuck on 1080p gaming.
You're much better off getting a console when you can. Hopefully more stock is released soon as we ramp towards Black Friday/Christmas mega shopping events. It'll be worth the wait imo.
Why monitor? Tv is bigger, better and cheaper.
Not many TV's support Freesync or high refresh rates.
Not a huge issue on consoles
Makes a huge difference for PC Games though
For $1300 you could get
RTX 2060, AMD Ryzen 5 5600X
Core i5-10400F RTX 3060
R5-3500X RTX 3060
https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/638824
https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/635122
https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/634844
Good deals. Thanks.
$1500 desktop & $500 monitor
I'd personally buy a Desktop PC for $1600 and buy a 144hz 1080p monitor for $400 because I'm all for performance over picture quality.
But I think for you the best option would be getting a console if you want to play in 4K.
I have both a gaming laptop and desktop but I rarely use that laptop because it doesn't come close to the frames my PC gets.
The laptop only gets used when I'm on holiday with my girlfriend, she goes to bed early and I game until late at night :)
If your only reason for switching to pc is hardware shortages I have some bad news for you…
I know, right? It's frustrating.
I bought a PS4 Pro at launch and a 4K monitor (non-HDR). All together was like $1400.
Here I am 5 years later, forced to downgrade to FHD or QHD at best if I switch over to PC gaming. Or wait forever to get PS5/Series X at RRP.
Why don't you keep using the same monitor, that way you get more budget for the desktop?
I want HDR and that's why I want a new monitor. People say HDR makes a bigger difference than pure resolution. So, I was thinking I'll go HDR for my next upgrade.
@obro: Don't bother with HDR on the monitor unless you're getting something OLED.
Also, people in PC gaming generally opt for refresh rate > resolution, where people generally prefer 1440p 144hz > 4K 60hz.
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I am leaning towards Series X. Just missed that Master Chief Edition pre-order. Still kicking myself over it.
I would go all in for a Desktop and then buy a little Chrome book if you still wanted a laptop.
Gaming laptops are the worst unless you travel a lot.
I would still want at least a QHD monitor with HDR. The leftover will be used for the box. Probably not enough budget for an acceptable rig.
I thought gaming laptops would give a better value since I spend all the money in one place, but it seems I was wrong.
You should definitely consider getting a gaming laptop if you're gonna be bringing it around with you eg. to uni or your workplace. But, if you're gonna just be using it at home, go for a PC.