Where I Started vs. Where I’m Going
When I first built my gaming setup, I wasn’t thinking about making money from it. I just wanted something solid that felt great to use. Now that I’m turning this into a long-term project and business, my mindset has shifted. Performance matters, but not at the cost of going broke chasing the latest gear.
Some links may be affiliate links, meaning I may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. These are tools and gear I trust, or wish I’d known about sooner.
Right now, here’s what I have:
PC:
- AMD Ryzen 7 3700X, Radeon RX 6700 XT, 32GB RAM (Solid. No complaints.)
- Monitors: Acer 1140 (300Hz) + Sony Inzone M9 (4K) (Acer is amazing for the price, Sony is overrated.)
Peripherals:
Other gear:
I’m happy with everything except maybe the Sony monitor, which is fine but definitely not worth the hype. And I’m constantly fighting the urge to upgrade everything just because I see something new and shiny.
Biggest mistake?
Trying to keep up with the Joneses. You can’t make money if you’re spending it all. It’s 2025; any decent setup will be just fine for most people. Speakers and dual monitors made a huge difference for me. I like music when I’m not grinding, and I don’t need headphones or 300Hz all the time.
If I Had to Start From Scratch
If I were starting over today, here’s exactly what I’d do to get the most out of my money while still setting myself up for long-term success.
1. Prioritize What Matters Most to YOU
- If you play competitive shooters, focus on high refresh rate monitors (240Hz+).
- If you play story-driven or cinematic games, 4K is worth it.
- If you want to stream, audio and lighting matter more than a crazy graphics card.
- If you want pure comfort, invest in a good chair & desk setup first.
If you’re like me, you prioritize pure comfort. Check out the Top Gaming Chairs (even if you still use the couch).
2. Monitor First, PC Second
- A great monitor will outlast multiple PCs.
- I’d get a 240Hz or 300Hz monitor first if I played mostly shooters.
- If I cared about visuals over frames, I’d grab an OLED or high-end IPS 1440p.
Check out the Best Gaming Monitors for 2025 (that are actually worth it).
3. Buy a PC That Lasts 5+ Years
- No need to overspend on the latest GPU. Mid-to-high-tier GPUs from 1-2 years ago are still great.
- 32GB RAM minimum.
- Fast SSD over everything else. (Load times matter more than raw FPS for most games.)
4. Avoid Streaming Gear Before You’re Ready
- I see so many people waste money on high-end cameras & mics before they even know if they like streaming.
- Start with a simple webcam + decent mic (or even just a headset mic).
- Lighting > Camera – Good lighting makes even a cheap webcam look great.
If you’re ready to get started streaming, check out my post on Streaming Gear You Need (skip the overhype stuff).
5. What’s Overrated vs. What’s a Game Changer
Overrated:
- $1,500+ GPUs (Unless you NEED 4K ultra settings at 240FPS, don’t waste your money.)
- Expensive streaming setups too early (Start small, upgrade as you go.)
- “Gamer” branded chairs (Some are great, but most are just overpriced office chairs.)
Worth Every Penny:
- Dual Monitors (You’ll never go back to one.)
- Mechanical Keyboard (If you’ve never used one, trust me.)
- Good Headphones OR Speakers (If you game for hours, your ears will thank you.)
- A Comfortable Desk Setup (It’s hard to make money gaming when your back hurts.)
Every time I buy snacks, it’s worth it. That’s why I wrote Gaming Fuel Ranked (energy drinks and snacks that hit).
Final Setup Goals: What I’m Working Toward
Right now, I’m focusing on long-term performance and comfort. I don’t need flashy RGB everywhere (as much as I want it), I need a setup that works, helps me grind, create content, and build this business.
I’ll keep you posted as I upgrade things, but the goal is to keep it real. No unnecessary spending, no hype purchases, just what actually works. If you’re building a setup, get what you can afford and upgrade when it makes sense.
