Don’t waste Prime Day looking for a GPU; check out deals on pre-built gaming PCs instead
Your ticket to a new GPU this Prime Day might be a great deal on an entire pre-built gaming PC.
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Amazon’sPrime Dayis quickly approaching — this year it runs June 21-22 — and some people are undoubtedly waiting to see whether they can snag an awesome deal on a graphics card (GPU). Unfortunately, I wouldn’t expect the current GPU market hellscape to changeat allduring the sales event. It’s not like manufacturers are holding back thebest graphics cardsjust to sell them at a discount when they’re already selling often for twice as much (or more) than the list price.
Just a few days ago we were witness to thestate of RTX 3080 Ti buying at Best Buy, which involved a whole lot of waiting, some sizable bribes, and many disappointed PC gamers. GPU shortages are the symptom of aglobal semiconductor shortage, soaring (until very recently, at least)cryptocurrency prices, and people with more time on their hands than ever before to pursue the gaming hobby. With no end to the GPU drought in sight, prices continue to climb out of reach of many who want to upgrade or build a new PC gaming system.
Pre-built PCs are now often less expensive than a single GPU
As we’ve seen throughout the global GPU shortage, thebest desktop gaming PCsare still widely available. Third-party manufacturers have access to stockpiles that regular consumers can’t touch, meaning these pre-built systems are a guaranteed way to get your hands on a new GPU and more. Yes, individual GPU prices are so extreme that buying a full PC just for the GPU is a legitimate tactic. And with potential Prime Day savings, that tactic becomes a lot more potent.
There’s really nothing wrong with buying a pre-built PC. While many people enjoy the hobby ofbuilding their own PC, other people simply don’t have the time or interest. And that’s OK. Not everyone likes to cook, but everyone likes to eat. However, you must be cautious when buying a pre-built PC. Not all are built the same, and you will generally have to live with some shortcomings like poor cable management or a questionable PSU. If you’re simply buying a pre-built to rip out the GPU and resell the rest, those issues matter far less.
Find the right pre-built PC sale on Prime Day
Some pre-built PCs might also ship with inferior third-party GPUs, which is what you want to avoid. You might see a deep door crasher deal first thing onPrime Day, but don’t be tempted before doing your due diligence. Stick with manufacturers using legitimate cards from trusted brands, or at least custom GPUs with proper cooling and sturdy build. Check outPC reviewsand recommendations to see how well the machine is put together and the quality of its internal hardware.
If you see that a well-reviewed PC with the GPU you want is on sale for Prime Day, it might just be the right way to go if you prefer not to wait for this shortage to end. Black Friday is another major sales event later in the year, but who knows whether stocks will have leveled out even by then (it’s looking doubtful). And you can always weigh your options by checking out the best Prime Day PC parts deals to see whether any GPUs are in stock and discounted.
Otherwise, have a look at our collection of thebest gaming desktop PCsandbest desktop PCs for VRto get an idea of what’s out there and what you can expect as regular prices.
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Cale Hunt brings to Windows Central more than eight years of experience writing about laptops, PCs, accessories, games, and beyond. If it runs Windows or in some way complements the hardware, there’s a good chance he knows about it, has written about it, or is already busy testing it.
