TECHNOLOGY
The Big Spend on a Gaming PC for a Small Game
Mon Apr 28 2025
Spending a lot of money on a gaming PC can be thrilling, but it can also be a bit of a gamble. It is easy to get carried away and end up spending more than planned. This is what happened to one person who dropped 3000 dollars on a high-end PC. They only use it to play a game that cost 20 dollars. It is a common story. The fear of missing out, or FOMO, often drives people to spend more than they need to. This fear can lead to buying a PC that is more powerful than necessary. It is easy to think that spending a little extra will get you a much better product. But, these extra costs can add up quickly. Future-proofing is a thing, but new hardware always comes out and makes you want to upgrade again. This endless cycle can leave you with a PC that is out of your budget.
The person who spent the 3000 dollars on a PC had a reality check when they looked at their Steam library. They had upgraded from an old GPU to a new one and were excited to play the latest AAA titles. They had games like Cyberpunk 2077, Marvel’s Spider Man Remastered, and Horizon Zero Dawn. These games played and looked amazing on their new PC. But, they had not finished any of them. Their most played game of the year was not a blockbuster. It was Spelunky 2, a roguelike platformer that cost 20 dollars. They had spent over 600 hours playing it. Meanwhile, their impressive Marvel’s Spider Man Remastered had only been played for 20 hours. Spelunky 2 is a simple game, but it is addictive. It is based on skill and gets better with each failed attempt.
The person who spent the 3000 dollars on a PC does not regret it. They love being able to play every game at max settings. They do not have to compromise on any of the games they play. But, they know they could have gotten away with a much cheaper PC. Having a high-end PC does not automatically turn you into an AAA gamer. It is important to assess how much of that stuff is really needed. How much will it help your PC stay relevant for the years to come? Will it help you enjoy your life more or will it just add an extra 10 fps to an already abundant frame rate counter? If they had not let FOMO get the best of them, they might have settled for a less powerful GPU. But, they have zero regrets. They just wish they could play their blockbuster titles more.
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questions
What are the long-term benefits of investing in a high-end PC versus a mid-range one?
How many hours of Spelunky 2 would it take to justify the cost of a $3,000 PC?
What's the most over-the-top gaming setup you've seen that makes a $3,000 PC look like a bargain?
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