Why This $1,800 Black Friday Build Matters
Putting together a gaming PC during Black Friday is one of the best ways to squeeze high end performance out of a limited budget. With the right mix of discounted parts you can jump straight into smooth 1440p gaming without the usual price tag of a flagship system.
This build targets 1440p resolution which is the sweet spot for many PC gamers today. It offers a sharp image upgrade over 1080p while still being far easier to drive than 4K. By carefully choosing components that were on sale during the Black Friday event we were able to hit an $1,800 budget and still aim for high frame rates in modern games.
Below we break down the key parts of this kind of system and why each choice matters for performance and value.
Core Components for 1440p Gaming
For 1440p gaming the graphics card and processor are the main drivers of performance. The rest of the parts need to support them without creating bottlenecks.
Graphics card
The graphics processing unit is the star of any gaming PC. For an $1,800 build focused on Black Friday deals you would typically look for a powerful mid to high tier GPU that drops into a much more affordable price bracket during sales.
- Modern cards from the latest Nvidia GeForce RTX or AMD Radeon RX lines are ideal.
- At 1440p you want enough power to handle high or ultra settings in most titles while staying above 60 frames per second in demanding games.
- Sales often turn normally premium cards into great price to performance options which is where the bulk of the budget should go.
Processor
The CPU needs to keep up with the graphics card especially for high refresh rate gaming or CPU heavy titles like large open world games or competitive shooters.
- A recent generation six or more core CPU from Intel Core i5 or i7 or AMD Ryzen 5 or Ryzen 7 lines usually hits the sweet spot.
- With Black Friday discounts you can often step up one tier to a faster chip within the same budget.
- Look for models with strong single core performance which still matters a lot for gaming.
Memory and storage
Fast memory and plenty of solid state storage round out the performance side of the build.
- RAM: 16 gigabytes is the entry point for modern gaming but an $1,800 sale focused build can often stretch to 32 gigabytes, which helps with heavy multitasking and some newer titles.
- Speed: For DDR4 kits 3200 to 3600 megahertz is a good target while DDR5 kits can go quite a bit higher. Deal prices often make faster kits much more attractive.
- Storage: A fast NVMe SSD as the main drive gives you quick boot times and near instant game loading. A one or two terabyte drive is ideal for a growing library.
Supporting Parts and Balancing the Budget
The remaining components do not boost frame rates as dramatically as the GPU or CPU but they still shape your gaming experience. Black Friday sales are perfect for upgrading these without breaking the budget.
Motherboard
The motherboard determines what features you get and how easily you can upgrade later.
- Look for a board that supports your chosen CPU socket and memory standard.
- Features like decent power delivery, enough M.2 slots, and good rear input and output make daily use more enjoyable.
- Mid range boards often receive heavy discounts which makes them a smart pick over bare bones budget options.
Power supply and case
A reliable power supply and a well ventilated case keep your parts safe and cool.
- Go for a reputable brand with an 80 Plus certification and enough wattage headroom for your GPU plus future upgrades.
- During sales a higher efficiency unit like Gold rated models can become affordable and worth the extra value.
- Choose a case with good airflow fans and enough space for your graphics card and cooling solution.
Cooling
Keeping temperatures under control helps maintain consistent performance and quieter operation.
- Most modern CPUs come with a stock cooler but a discounted aftermarket air cooler or all in one liquid cooler can lower temperatures and noise.
- Extra case fans bought on sale are an easy way to improve airflow for demanding gaming sessions.
What to Expect from This $1,800 1440p Rig
By building with only Black Friday sale parts this system aims to deliver high end 1440p gaming without entering extreme enthusiast price territory.
With a strong modern GPU and a capable multi core CPU you can expect:
- High or ultra settings in most modern games at 1440p.
- Smooth 60 frames per second or higher in many titles depending on game and settings.
- Faster loading thanks to a quality NVMe SSD.
- Enough memory and storage headroom for streaming light content creation and multitasking while gaming.
The real advantage of building during a big sale event is value. Parts that are usually out of reach drop into a price range that lets you build a more balanced and powerful system. Instead of compromising heavily on the graphics card or CPU you can assemble a rig that will stay relevant for several years of new game releases.
If you are planning a 1440p gaming build keep an eye on seasonal sales, compare price to performance carefully, and do not forget the often overlooked pieces like power supply, case, and cooling. With a total budget around $1,800 and smart deal hunting you can end up with a very capable gaming PC that feels far more premium than the final price tag suggests.
Original article and image: https://www.tomshardware.com/pc-components/gpus/we-put-together-an-usd1-800-4k-gaming-pc-built-completely-with-parts-on-sale-for-black-friday
