5 Things to Watch Out For When Buying a Gaming PC

Building or buying a gaming PC is exciting—new hardware, the promise of buttery-smooth frame rates, and the satisfaction of finally upgrading your setup. But with so many sellers and prebuilt options out there, it’s easy to run into pitfalls that can leave you frustrated or out of pocket. Whether you’re a first-time buyer or a seasoned gamer, here are five red flags to watch out for when purchasing a gaming PC.

1. No Operating System Included

Some PCs are sold without an operating system, meaning you’ll turn it on and be greeted with nothing but a blank screen or BIOS menu. While this might save you a few pound, it also means you’ll need to buy and install Windows (or another OS) yourself. If you’re not comfortable with that, check the product listing carefully—sometimes “No OS” is buried in the fine print.

Tip: If Windows is included, make sure it’s a genuine, licensed copy not a “trial” version or a 3rd party license.

2. Lack of Future-Proofing

It’s tempting to go for the cheapest system that “runs today’s games,” but that can backfire quickly. Some sellers cut costs by including outdated CPUs, underpowered power supplies, or motherboards with no room for upgrades. These systems may run fine now, but they’ll limit your ability to upgrade graphics cards or add more RAM later.

Tip: Look for a PC with a modern motherboard chipset, extra RAM slots and a strong enough power supply to support future upgrades.

3. Overselling & Marketing Gimmicks

Beware of sellers that hype up specs in misleading ways. Terms like “Gaming-Grade” or “Extreme Performance” don’t mean much without context. For example, pairing a powerful GPU with a weak CPU can create bottlenecks, making your “high-end” PC perform worse than expected.

On the flip side, some companies try to upsell you on hardware you don’t really need. If you’re only planning to play esports titles like Valorant or Fortnite you don’t need a £2,000 rig with a top-tier graphics card—something more modest will deliver great performance at a fraction of the price. Overspending on unnecessary specs is just as bad as underspending.

Tip: Always cross-check the actual model numbers of components (CPU, GPU, RAM speed) and match them to the games or tasks you plan on using your PC for.

4. No Warranty or Limited Protection

A gaming PC is an investment and things can go wrong—components fail, fans die, and power supplies burn out. If the seller doesn’t offer at least a one-year warranty, consider it a huge red flag. Without a warranty, you’re gambling with your money.

Tip: Read the warranty details carefully. A solid warranty should cover parts and labor, not just “technical support.”

5. Refurbished or Used Parts in a “New” Build

Some shady sellers cut costs by slipping in refurbished or second-hand components while advertising the system as brand new. You might not notice until much later when performance issues, crashes or shortened component lifespan start creeping in.

Tip: Ask for a full parts list and verify whether everything is new. Trusted sellers will be transparent—if parts are refurbished, it should be clearly disclosed.

Final Thoughts

A gaming PC should bring you joy, not headaches. By watching out for missing operating systems, lack of future-proofing, overselling gimmicks, weak warranties, and sneaky refurbished parts, you’ll save yourself from costly mistakes.

Always do your research, compare specs, and buy from reputable sellers. A little caution upfront ensures your gaming rig will be something you can enjoy (and upgrade) for years to come.