Hey everyone,

I’m in the process of building a new pc gaming desktop and could really use some advice from the community. I’m aiming for a setup that can handle modern AAA games at high settings, ideally 1080p or 1440p resolution, but I don’t want to go overboard with the budget.

I’ve done a lot of research and watched some reviews, but I’m still a little unsure about a few key decisions, especially when it comes to balancing performance and cost. I’m hoping to keep the overall cost of the build in the $1,200 to $1,400 range, but I’d like to make sure I’m getting the most bang for my buck.

Here are the main areas I need advice on:

Graphics Card: There are so many options out there! I’m torn between aiming for something mid-range or spending a bit more for something higher-end to make the build more future-proof. How much of a difference in performance should I expect from mid-tier versus high-tier GPUs, especially for gaming at 1080p and 1440p?

Cooling: I’ve seen a lot of discussions about whether to go with air or liquid cooling. I know that liquid cooling can look cool and offer some better temperatures, but is it really necessary for most gaming builds? Is an air cooler enough, or should I invest in an AIO liquid cooler?

Storage: I’m planning on using an SSD for my primary drive, but I’m wondering how much space I’ll need. Should I go for a larger SSD or use a combination of an SSD for the OS and a secondary HDD for game storage? Is there a noticeable performance difference between different types of SSDs, or is it mostly a matter of price?

Upgrades and Future-Proofing: I’d like this build to last me for a few years without needing major upgrades. How important is it to future-proof a pc gaming desktop, and are there specific components I should focus on to make sure the system holds up over time?

I’d really appreciate any suggestions or experiences you all have had with similar builds. Thanks in advance for the help!