For some of you, September/October time marks the beginning of your university life. We’re here with a savvy spending guide to help you balance gaming and studying on a student budget.
When your student loan drops, it is oh-so-tempting to splurge on that juicy bit of tech you’ve been eyeing up. Sadly, this money needs to last you through the semester and blowing it all on gadgets ain’t going to keep you fed. But never fear, this Overclockers UK guide is going to be chock-full of budget-friendly hardware that still packs performance and some useful tips for saving some cash.
Top Tip #1
Play free games! The best way to game cheap, is to game for free. This doesn’t mean you have to stick to solitaire or mobile games with timers locking you out. No, we have a free game guide – updated weekly – that rounds up the best free games and software about. You’re welcome.
Intro to Budget-Friendly Hardware
You’re at uni, with your trusty gaming PC by your side, but it is starting to show its age. Now it could be the laggy internet from halls, but an upgrade may be in order. Should it be the latter, there are loads of ways to breathe new life into your PC without breaking the bank.
Firstly, instead of throwing out your whole computer and starting again, it could be that just a component or two that need replacing. (There are other culprits, and we have a guide for that right here.) By making targeted component upgrades, you can boost performance without spending too much of your precious student loan. Plus, you don’t have to go for the very latest generation of tech to see these improvements either.
Top Tip #2
Use our SALE filter! In the sidebar of our website, there is a section called “Product Labels” with a “Sale” check box. Tick this, and it immediately filters out anything not on sale and leaves you with a selection of juicy savings. Your dream piece of hardware could be waiting for you here.
Please note: Image was screen-grabbed on 27/8/2024. Your results may differ.
CPUs. Both Intel and AMD may be releasing their latest generation hardware, but their older tech is still widely available. AMD Ryzen 5000 Series and Intel Alder Lake (12th Gen) processors offer a range of performance tiers at manageable prices, and they are still extensively compatible with hardware in today’s market. This should be something to pay attention to when making targeted upgrades. You have to ensure any new components are compatible with your current tech.
Motherboards. You only really need to update your motherboard if the CPU you’re upgrading utilises a different socket or incompatible chipset. Most recent motherboards will have support for features like DDR5 and PCIe 5.0, but they aren’t necessarily necessities. So long as it works with your chosen CPU, you can get plenty of high-speed performance from DDR4 and PCIe 4.0.
GPUs. It is super tempting to go all out with graphics. We’d all love to be gaming on an NVIDIA RTX 4090, but they cost about the same amount as your entire student finance for the semester. It’s not a realistic item to be on the shopping list. Thankfully, you can still get great performance from an NVIDIA 3050, 3060, or AMD Radeon RX 6500 XT, 6600 graphics card, especially if you are upgrading from an older generation card.
Top Tip #3
Get a good idea of your outgoings. Work out what you’re spending your money on. If there’s too much month at the end of the money, having a clear picture of your outgoings should help you to cut back.
RAM. Upgrading your memory is an easy way to squeeze extra performance out of your gaming PC. Without bumping up to a new standard, too. Provided your motherboard can support it, increasing capacity will help to give your gaming PC a much-needed boost.
Storage. Similarly, upgrading to a faster storage solution can help with keeping load times down. Plus, you can increase capacity to ensure there is enough room for all your coursework at the same time. We have a helpful storage guide that covers what to use and where to use it, but the TLDR is: HDDs are slow but have a better cost-to-capacity ratio, while SSDs are super-fast but more costly. If you’re just looking for storage, then an external hard drive could be the way forward. You won’t even have to open up your case!
If your gaming PC is beyond it and a few upgrades here and there won’t help, then investing in a new computer is the smart option. Rather than buying all the individual components and the tools required to build one, pre-built gaming PCs will help save you time and money. Our pre-built Refract Gaming PCs are crafted to facilitate mainstream performance, with hardware cherry-picked by our team of tech experts. Plus, they come with three years warranty, covering your academic career nicely, and they are eligible for next-day delivery. Sudden computer death won’t keep you from your studies.
Top Tip #4
Sign up to UNiDAYs and save! We have partnered with UNiDAYs to bring students exclusive deals on Refract and more from the Overclockers UK website. Click the button for more details.
A Study of Laptops for Students
It’s an old debate in the gaming PC community: are gaming laptops worth it? Whilst advances have been made to the technology and cooling, there is still some disparity between a PC’s and laptop’s performance. However, does this outweigh their benefits? Especially in a student setting.
A gaming laptop’s big selling point is that they are portable. Need to hit the library for that essay? Take it with you. Want to take quick notes in your lecture (without the hand cramp)? Take it with you. Need a change of scenery because your housemate listening to I’m Just Ken on repeat is getting old? Take it with you. Plus, it is much easier to transport from uni to home when you come back for extended breaks.
The other benefit to laptops is that it’s an all-in-one package. For a lump sum, you get a computer, keyboard, mouse, and monitor. No extras needed, even though you may still fiending after that mechanical keyboard or extra monitor. You might not be getting as much bang for your buck in terms of hardware, but you are definitely saving when it comes to the added extras. Which can always be added or integrated at a later date after you’ve saved for them.
Another great benefit to laptops is that there is a lot of variety. If you know you’ll be mainly using it for uni work, you can pick from more everyday laptops or even those designed for students! Without the gaming hardware premium, they can be very cost effective and still provide the platform you need for work.
Top Tip #5
Use your gaming PC to earn money! You have mad PC skills, put them to use. There are loads of ways that you can use your PC or laptop to earn yourself a bit of cash in your free time. We have a list to help get you started.
Of course, as with everything in this guide, it will ultimately boil down to prioritising what you need over what you want. You may want a high-performance laptop equipped with the best of the best, but what you need is something that word processes, runs any specialist software for your course, and plays your favourite games.
We have an extensive range of laptops – from gaming to everyday. Amongst our range, you’re sure to find a laptop well suited to your course, whether you’re studying maths or video editing.
Top Tip #6
Sell it on! If you have a hard copy of a game that you will never play again, sell it. Someone else gets to enjoy the game and you get a cheeky influx of cash. This works for clothes, textbooks you no longer need, and much more.
The Basics of Peripherals
Now, if you’ve opted for a gaming laptop, peripherals could be classed as non-essential or saved for later. However, they can provide a more ergonomic experience and are not something to be glossed over. What’s more, if you are working from a gaming PC, then it goes without saying that peripherals are a must-have!
Keyboards. We love a great mechanical keyboard for gaming. The satisfying clack of the keys, the linear or tactile feedback, and the oh-so-important RGB lighting. One great way to save with keyboards is to opt for a smaller form factor. By going for a TKL, 65%, or even Mini keyboard, you’ll be shaving off the pounds with every omitted key. Thanks to layered function and macros, you won’t lose out and their compact size will optimise available space on your desk, too. There’ll be space for your textbooks, energy drinks, snacks, and more!
Mice. You need a mouse that fits comfortably under your hand, tracks reliably, and can serve you well in battle. All without breaking the bank. Typically, wired mice tend to be cheaper than wireless mice. For example, the Glorious Model D Wireless is £85.99* versus its wired counterpart at £55.99*. No-brainer, really.
Mouse mats. Of all the peripherals to get, I would recommend this one regardless of whether you’re on a laptop or PC. Just take a second to think about how many people have used your university desk before you. Halls or rented, it’s a grim prospect. (I found forgotten socks in my university desk.) By having a shiny new gaming mat, you can work from a fresh surface and even out the worktop, in case of any bumps, knocks, or gouges. Naturally, which size mouse mat you go for depends on your desk size, but you know you can’t go wrong with an OcUK Tactical Gaming Surface.
Top Tip #7
Save a bunch with a bundle! If you need more than one peripheral, save yourself some extra pennies by opting for a bundle. Read up on a selection of our favourites or shop now.
Monitors. There are many criteria to consider when buying a monitor – we should know, we wrote a whole guide about it. Cost and size are going to be two limiting factors in this purchase. Dorms aren’t luxurious suites, so taking an ultra-wide display isn’t really going to work out. Where you can save some dough is in panel choice – TN tends to be the cheapest whilst still offering decent gaming performance.
Headsets. If you like to listen to music while you study, then a gaming headset will be in order. Like we’ve already said, pop songs on repeat aren’t conducive to a good learning environment. With a headset, you can listen to all your favourite bops and not disturb the peace of your dorm or the library. Plus, they are great for video calls home as the integrated mic will keep your audio crystal clear. Once again, wired headsets tend to be the cheaper option.
Analysis of Gaming Chairs
Gaming chairs are engineered to provide outstanding comfort for extended periods of time. It’s almost like they were made for all-nighter essay writing sessions. Keeping your back well supported is imperative, for so many reasons. It can help you to focus because you’re not distracted by aches and pains, as well as promoting better back health in the long run. As such, picking the right chair is a must.
With all the chairs available at Overclockers UK, you’re going to enjoy a comfortable seating experience. The brands that balance price to performance in favour of the budget-friendly are Nitro Concepts, particularly their E250 Series, and ThunderX3. They employ ergonomic features such as breathable materials, adjustable armrests, and robust rocking mechanisms, whilst still retaining a price tag that won’t absorb your entire student loan. Plus, they come in stunning colours and aesthetics, so there’s something to suit everyone.
Top Tip #8
Take inspiration from our student set-up! We have a student lifestyle post up that could serve as your shopping list.
Gaming Desk Theory
In theory, you want a gaming desk as the foundation of your student set up. They have spacious surfaces, often with integrated mouse mats, many include cable routing systems, and who doesn’t want a dedicated cup holder? However, your dorm room may already have a perfectly serviceable desk. (Or it doesn’t have room for anything better, as was the case in my third year.)
But should a gaming desk be an absolute must for you, then the way to spend savvy is to go for a model with no fuss or muss. Something like the Nitro Concepts D12, it’s sleek with convenient features and a spicy £114.95* price tag.
Top Tip #9
Make sure you’re signed up for as much Student Finance as you’re entitled to. There are grants, bursaries, and scholarships available to those that qualify, designed to help you financially through this period.
Further Reading
Just as with your course, there is always more reading to be done. It’s optional, but it’s here if you want it. A tasty cross-section of our budget-friendly buyer’s guides.
Top Tip #10
Remember to treat yourself! You can live on a budget and still spoil yourself every now and then. Even better when you catch a great deal, too! We have a whole corner of the Overclockers UK website dedicated to showcasing the best student tech deals.
Happy Freshers’
Before you go, we’d just like to wish all the new and returning students good luck! We also have plenty more student guides if you are still reeling.
*Prices correct at the time of writing.
- 12 min read
Emily Haylock
Author
Emily is a board and cosy gamer, keyboard obsessive, and content copywriter for Overclockers UK. She has been with Overclockers UK since 2020, writing about everything from noblechairs to 8Pack PCs. She writes from within her desk nest with a foster pup at her feet. (What, a desk duvet is a totally normal thing!) In her downtime, she likes to play board games, farming sims, and old-school Final Fantasy. IX to be specific. It is the best, and that is a hill she will die on.
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