Buying a new PC can be exciting, but not every deal is as good as it looks on the surface. Retailers often highlight flashy specs or throw in bonuses to make a system look more appealing than it actually is. If you don’t know what to look for, you could end up overpaying for outdated hardware, unbalanced builds, or unnecessary extras.
Here are the main red flags to watch out for before you hand over your money.
1. Outdated or Low-End Components Marketed as “High-End”
Some prebuilt PCs use old-generation CPUs or entry-level GPUs while advertising them as gaming powerhouses. For example:
- A system with an Intel i5 10th gen CPU in 2025 isn’t high-end — it’s three generations behind.
- A GTX 1650 might be called “great for gaming,” but in reality, it struggles with modern titles.
👉 Tip: Always cross-check the part numbers (CPU, GPU, motherboard) and look up benchmarks for current games or workloads.
2. Imbalanced Builds
A bad deal often hides behind a build that’s poorly balanced. Examples include:
- Strong CPU, weak GPU: Great for spreadsheets, terrible for gaming.
- High-end GPU, budget CPU: You won’t get the performance you paid for because of bottlenecking.
- Excessive RAM (like 64GB in a budget PC): Adds cost without any benefit for gaming.
👉 Tip: For gaming, put more of your budget toward the GPU. For productivity (video editing, 3D work), balance between CPU cores, RAM, and GPU.
3. Overpriced “Branding”
Some brands inflate prices by $500–$1,000 just for a name or a flashy case. While premium brands like Alienware or MSI can look great, the performance-to-dollar ratio is often much worse than a custom or boutique builder.
👉 Tip: Compare the price of individual parts (PCPartPicker or Aussie retailers like PCCG, Scorptec, Umart) against the prebuilt’s total cost. If the difference is huge, you’re paying for a badge.
4. Small or Weak Power Supplies
A common cost-cutting trick is putting in a low-quality power supply (PSU).
- Some prebuilts ship with 350W or 450W PSUs when the GPU alone could demand much more.
- Cheap PSUs can be unreliable and even shorten the life of your PC.
👉 Tip: Look for a reputable PSU brand (Corsair, Seasonic, EVGA) with at least 80+ Bronze certification and enough wattage to cover upgrades.
5. Locked or Non-Upgradeable Systems
Certain prebuilts use proprietary motherboards, cases, or power connectors. This means:
- You can’t upgrade the GPU or PSU easily.
- The case might only fit specific parts.
- Repairs are limited to the original vendor.
👉 Tip: Check whether the PC uses standard ATX components. If the parts aren’t standard, you’re locked into the brand.
6. Misleading Storage Configurations
Watch out for PCs that advertise “2TB storage” but only give you a slow mechanical hard drive. Without an SSD, the system will feel sluggish no matter the CPU or GPU.
👉 Tip: In 2025, any decent PC should have at least a 500GB NVMe SSD as the primary drive. HDDs are fine for bulk storage only.
7. Too Good to Be True Discounts
A “50% off gaming PC” might sound tempting, but it usually means:
- The hardware is very outdated.
- The normal “retail price” was inflated to make the discount look bigger.
- It’s a clearance model with poor upgrade paths.
👉 Tip: Always compare deals across multiple retailers. If the “deal” is only good at one shop, it’s probably not a deal.
Final Thoughts
A good PC deal comes down to balanced components, fair pricing, and upgradability. Don’t just rely on flashy marketing or big discounts — always check the actual parts, look at benchmarks, and compare prices. By keeping an eye out for these red flags, you’ll avoid wasting money and end up with a system that actually delivers on performance.