If you’re in America, chances are you’ve been given a nice welcome check from the government to help you through the trying times we’re all facing thanks to the coronavirus pandemic. While, for many people, this money will go towards essentials like food, gas, and paying bills, some may be luckier. If you’re looking at that recent deposit into your bank account and are dreaming of spending it on a new PC build, that video game you’ve wanted for so long, or some new gear for your gaming setup, let us guide you to the best deals available.
How To Get The Stimulus Check
The IRA is giving out stimulus checks to a large portion of the American population. People earning less than $75,000 will receive $1,200 and all you have to do is register your information with the IRA. For those earning higher incomes, this amount will differ, and those earning more than $99,000 will not qualify.
There are other exceptions and additions to this, but the best thing is to check out the official government advice and make sure you have everything set up to receive your money.
What To Spend Your Stimulus Check On
We have to start off by saying that we understand everyone is in very different financial situations right now. With the economy struggling the way it is, many people’s jobs are on the line and if you find yourself in a less than stable position, the sensible thing to do would be to save this money or use it to cover essential costs like food, rent, bills, and everyday living costs.
The stimulus check is designed to both help people keep afloat in these trying times, as well as to keep the economy going by allowing people to spend money as they would usually. This means that if you are in a comfortable position to do so, you shouldn’t feel guilty about spending the money on something you want, rather than something you need.
So, with that in mind, for those of you with the means to do so, let’s take a look at some of the best gaming products you can spend your stimulus check on.
PC Build
It’s no surprise that our first thought would be to spend that money on a shiny new PC build. $1200 can get you a pretty impressive setup as well. Although, you may not want, or need, to spend all of it at once, so here are our top build picks for under $1200.
$500 Build
Our most popular PC build is perfect for those looking for their first entry into the world of PC building. It can run most AAA games, although you won’t be able to run max graphics settings on most, and means you don’t need to break the bank to enjoy them.
$700 Build
Bumping up your budget slightly means you’ll be able to bump up your in-game graphics as well. At $700 you’re right on the edge of “budget” territory, and you can really max out your components if you do it right.
$1500 Build
OK, so this is a bit over the $1200 check, but if you’ve got some extra cash to spare and want to build a really powerful gaming machine, this is the perfect pick for you. Those AAA games will run smoothly with impressive graphics, and you can be confident that this build will stand the test of time.
Peripherals
If you already have a great gaming PC, this could be your opportunity to level up your peripheral game as well. And, with peripherals really ranging in price, you’ll be able to save most of your check while still upgrading your setup – a total win-win.
Keyboard
This mechanical keyboard from Corsair currently sits at the top of our Best Gaming Keyboards list, and for good reason. If you’re looking for a new gaming keyboard, you can’t go wrong here. And, at under $300, you’ll still be able to put a good chunk of your money towards savings or everyday expenses.
Check out the full review here
Mouse
Another top spot holder is the Logitech G Pro. This is widely regarded as one of the best gaming mice on the market right now, so what better choice to round out your gaming setup?
Check out the full review here
Monitor
Monitors are one of the most expensive peripherals out there, and some can even break past that $1200 budget. But, this impressive gaming monitor from ASUS delivers top-level performance for under $1000 – the perfect combination. Just one of the reasons it’s our top pick for the best gaming monitor.
Gaming Chair
The gaming community is often divided when it comes to these. Are gaming chairs worth it? We certainly think so. Especially if you’re getting your hands on one of the Secretlab chairs. We have a big collection of these in the office, and now that I’m working from home, I miss mine more than ever. We recommend buying direct through Secretlabs as well, that way you can take advantage of their current offers.
Click here to see the full range
Check out our detailed reviews:
Gaming Headset
If you’re stuck at home with family or housemates right now, chances are you’re all getting in each other’s way at least once a day. So, make sure you can enjoy your music and gaming in peace with a new gaming headset. We’ve just had a huge delivery of headsets here at WePC that we are writing up our reviews for as I speak, so keep your eyes peeled over the next few days to see what we have in store. For now, here are some of our top picks:
Laptops
If you’re lucky enough to be working from home, then chances are you might already be getting very tired of your old, dusty laptop that has been brought out in the daylight for the first time in a while. Who thought we’d all be missing our work PCs?
Well, there’s no better time to invest in a new laptop. Of course, you’ll want one to make your work life easier, but it doesn’t have to stop there. Get the right laptop, and you can enjoy gaming on the go as well. Two birds, one laptop.
Razer Blade Laptops
These gaming laptops are really at the top of their game right now, and while they are definitely budget-breakers, they are worth every penny. They pack some seriously powerful specs into stylish, slender laptops. If you want a laptop that can handle gaming as well as a PC, this is as close as you can get.
ASUS TUF
If you’re looking for a laptop that won’t stretch your $1200 budget, then we recommend this great budget pick from ASUS. While it won’t rival a PC anytime soon, it’s perfect for some light gaming on the go, as well as leveling up your work from home game.
Pre-Built PCs
Finally, we have our pre-built PCs. These are a great middle step between a gaming laptop (expensive and not very powerful) and a PC build of your own (cheaper, but harder to assemble). With a pre-built PC, you’ll still spend more than if you built yourself, but you’ll have the ease of having it ready to go out of the box. And, your PC will be covered with warranties if something goes wrong.
Slightly over budget, but worth it, this iBUYPOWER PC is our top pick for those looking for a pre-built PC.
No products found.
This pre-built PC from SkyTech is another favorite of ours and will look great as part fo your setup as well.
If you want to keep costs down and save some of that check for something more essential, this PC from CUK is a great option.
Final Word
This is a scary time for all of us. The stimulus check can help make it a little better. Whether you use it to keep daily life flowing, or are able to treat yourself to something new, make sure you’re making the best decisions for you and your loved ones in this trying time.
These are some of our top picks that you can buy with your new money, but please only make these kinds of purchases if you’re realistically able to do so.
Keep washing your hands, check in with your loved ones over the phone or the internet, and don’t forget to love each other.
Let us know if you’ve bought anything from our list with your stimulus check, or if you have any other recommendations to help others. And, don’t forget, we’re always here for you over in the WePC Community Hub, so hop over there and find your community.