PC Build Tiers Explained
What does each budget actually buy? Pick a game, resolution and settings and see how six build tiers perform, and which one gives the most frames for your money.
You need something that turns on and plays esports titles and Roblox.
The catch: No hardware ray tracing, so some new games will not even launch.
You want most games playable at 1080p without paying for extras.
The catch: Heavy new releases mean Medium settings.
You want 60+ FPS on High in almost everything at 1080p.
The catch: 1440p is possible, but you will turn some settings down.
You play at 1440p with a high-refresh monitor.
The catch: Price climbs fast for the last 20 percent of performance.
You want 1440p maxed out, or 4K with upscaling.
The catch: You are paying for headroom you may not use yet.
Money is no object and you want the fastest card there is.
The catch: Often limited by the game or the CPU, not the card.
FAQ
What are the PC build tiers?
Six representative CPU and GPU pairings: Survival, Budget 1080p, Sweet Spot, High Refresh 1440p, Enthusiast and Overkill. Each is scored on the game, resolution and settings you choose, using the GamerKit FPS model.
Why are only the CPU and GPU priced?
Memory and SSD prices have been unusually volatile in 2026 because of the memory shortage, so any complete-build total would date quickly. CPU and graphics card prices are approximate UK street prices from our tools. Add roughly the cost of a motherboard, memory, storage, power supply and case, and check live listings.
Which tier is the best value?
It depends on the game and the frame rate you want. The page highlights the cheapest tier that reaches 60 FPS for your choices, measured in pounds of CPU and GPU per frame. For most games at 1080p that is the Sweet Spot tier.
How accurate are the frame rates?
They are model estimates, typically within roughly 15 to 25 percent of a careful benchmark. See the methodology guide for how the model works and where it can be wrong.
Already have a PC? Try the GPU Lifespan Checker or the Upgrade Path Advisor. How the numbers are made: our methodology.