So what's best path forward when it comes to buying a pre-built?

*Disclaimer* don't suggest i build my own thanks.

But anyhow, i've been saving up the money for a new Gaming Desktop. (Current Laptop specs for comparison) Since i'm going to get back into Desktops, mostly to help future proof and make upgrading or changing parts out easier, as i've been stuck with Gaming Laptops since 2011 because of income issues.

This is my current Laptop in comparison *Which i Paid 700$ for last year* FX705-DT is the model

• 17.3" Full HD display 1920 x 1080 resolution boasts impressive color and clarity
• AMD 2nd Generation Ryzen 7 2.3 gigahertz
• Solid State Drive Capacity 512 gigabytes
• 16GB system memory for advanced multitasking (I upgraded the Ram to 16GB's)
• NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1650 graphics Backed by 4GB GDDR5 dedicated video memory

Laptop itself was only used as a stop gap basically to put me on. But I've been eying up Desktops in the 1800-2400$ price range. And i've hit a snag, It seems all of them are sold out with the 3080RTXs. I was really hoping to have a new card in. Best buy sadly is my only option, since i don't have any computer stores near me, and i packages outside of letters won't ship to my House address, so having it ship to my house isn't possible. So i have to order online and do store pick up from Best-buy. So Hense Bestbuy is my only option right now.

So i've seen quite a few Computers. But as i've said they're all soldout. But. Given how desktops can be upgradeded and parts exchanged. Would be better just getting one with a differen't card? and then swapping the card out when the 3080RTXs come back in stock? But what cards are going to be comparable or least put me on until the 3000RTX series are back in stock? I was looking at the 2080RTX TI Cards, should i perhaps get a desktop with one of those in?

Spec wise this is ideally what i'm looking for. Least 1TB or close SSD, 16-32GBs of ram. Definitely a good High End Card and a strong CPU for playing the Total War Games.

CLX SET Gaming Desktop AMD Ryzen 7 3800X 16GB Memory NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2080 Ti 960GB Solid State Drive Black/RGB TGMSETRTH9605BM - Best Buy

Hoping to have the money by the end of this month or early March, So any replies will be used as a reference for when i buy a computer soon :) thankyou.

Here's my 2 cents that I'm sure many will disagree with. I'd say find something with a good cpu, ram, and ssd, but paired with a gpu that is unexciting. GPUs are off the chain right now, so go for one that you may not love but can live with for a year or two. A 1660 for example can't do ray tracing, but is otherwise a solid card that is comparitively inexpensive. It would still be a big step from your laptop, and you can swap for something better when supplies are back under control.

Doesn't the US have specialist shops? We have loads here.

Here are my thoughts:

Logistics: Are you in the US? Have you considered coordinating with a nearby Walgreens (or equivalent)? They will sometimes hold FedEx packages, as will the distribution centers. You can pick it up.

Hardware: I would keep an eye out for other pre-built systems with a 3000-series GPU instead of a 2080Ti. Even a 3070 would be better. The 3060 Ti is right around the corner too. OEMs will get a share of the cards, you just have to stay on top of it. I have a 2080Ti, while it's a good card I really can't recommend getting one at this point.

Yes i'm in the US sorry i should have clarified

@judaspete: That's what i'm kinda of thinking about doing. Getting a Good Computer, but one with a card that i can replace.

It's all about breaking the ice for me, i know if i get a good computer, then i have the essentials like a Tower and motherboard etc. Downside to owning a laptop is that if i want a upgrade i have to literally buy a whole new laptop.

What would be a Good Alternative GPU? bare in mind i hae a 1650GTX in this current laptop, and i hate it.

@thingta42: I say look for something with a GTX 1660. Best Buy has a fair amount of prebuilts available with one of those, scalpers and miners aren't driving the price up as much as the RTX lines. The performance won't blow you away, but you will get a solid boost. All else being equal, you would expect an extra 20-30 fps over the 1650, and probably even more than that going from a laptop to a desktop.

Bear in mind, I've always been a low spec guy. My "gaming pc" is an HP Envy with a 1650, and I love it :).

I built a PC for my cousin a few months ago and 1660 Super, not vanilla, was the lowest spec'ed "good enough" GPU. That is, good enough for Cyberpunk 1080p/60. One other thing, if you buy a prebuild chances are you'll be PSU limited, so you'll have to change that as well when you change GPU. Why don't you go to a local computer shop and have them build a PC for you with high quality parts, and room for upgrade?

@PfizersaurusRex:I have no local computer store lol, when you live out in rural Country Land, all that's around here are bars and supermarkets.

Question: What are the better CPUs on the market? I prefer AMD CPUs

Also should i get one with any sized SSD in it? And buy a seperate 1TB one? Looking up on Bestbuy and i can get a 1TB SSD for about 100$

CyberPowerPC Gamer Supreme Gaming Desktop AMD Ryzen 7 3700X 16GB Memory NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3070 1TB SSD White SLC8600BST - Best Buy

Would be be good? for a worthy replacement upgrade?

@thingta42: Yes and it looks really good for the price.

That is a solid PC. It will run any game well at 1440p and it is good to be paired with a high refresh rate monitor.

Thanks, can't buy a Computer just yet, still trying to save up. Since i'll be needing a monitor to go with it. But those are generally the specs i'm looking for regarding a new Desktop Gaming Computer. Even if i have to buy a seperate SSD if the one included is less than 1TB

Well now that i want one. Everysingle one on best-buy is Sold out...

So what do i do? Just wait?

Just something to consider, when buying a pre-built, try to find something with a decent power supply, as whilst it will be good enough for the current build, you may have to upgrade it once you upgrade the GPU

I'll be sure to keep that in mind.

@duntastar88: So probs a 850watt? or 900watt Power Supply? if i change the power supply would i have to take everything out of the computer? including the watercooling?