Hey everyone,

I’m 34 and looking to dive back into PC gaming after years away. My budget is around $3,000, and I’m planning to pick up the major components (GPU, motherboard, CPU) during Black Friday/Cyber Monday sales.

Here’s the plan: I want a powerful PC with a large display, but it doesn’t need to be bleeding-edge. I’m aiming for something solid and proven rather than the absolute latest and greatest. Think: “iPhone 14 instead of rushing for the iPhone 16” vibes. I’m rusty with PC builds since my teenage years, so I’d appreciate guidance.

TL;DR: Budget $3K, prioritizing GPU, CPU, and motherboard during BF/CM. Open to suggestions for a strong, reliable build without chasing the shiny new hype.

Thanks in advance for the help!