Best Black Friday Gaming PC Deals 2026: What to Buy and When to Order

Quick Answer: Black Friday is on 27 November 2026, with Cyber Monday on 30 November. Memory and SSD prices are high this year, so discounts will be smaller than usual. Order a well-specced RTX 5060 to RTX 5070 gaming PC early in the sale, before popular builds sell out.

Every year the same thing happens. You wait for Black Friday, you spot a gaming PC with a big red "50% off" sticker, and you're not sure whether it's a bargain or a clever trick.

This year it's even trickier. RAM and SSD prices have shot up, which has pushed up the cost of nearly every gaming PC. So the old rule of "wait for the sale and grab a huge discount" doesn't work quite the way it used to.

The good news? A smart buyer can still save real money. This guide covers the dates, realistic discounts, the specs worth paying for, and exactly when to order.

When Is Black Friday 2026?

Here are the dates worth putting in your diary.

Event	Date

Date

Early deals begin

Early to mid November

Black Friday

Friday 27 November 2026

Cyber Monday

Monday 30 November 2026

Sales usually wind down

First week of December

Most retailers don't wait for Friday anymore. Many cut prices a couple of weeks ahead, then add fresh offers on Black Friday and again on Cyber Monday. Treat it as a three-week window.

Why This Year Is Different

Let's be honest about the market, because most "best deals" articles skip this part.

Demand for memory from AI data centres has squeezed supply of DRAM and SSD chips. According to the Tom's Hardware RAM price tracker, updated on 8 October 2026, a 32GB DDR5 kit that cost roughly $100 to $200 in October 2025 now starts at around $350, when it's in stock at all. Gartner has also forecast a combined rise of about 130% in DRAM and SSD prices by the end of 2026, which it expects to lift average PC prices by roughly 17%.

What does that mean for you?

Gaming PC prices are higher than they were a year ago.

Black Friday discounts are likely to be smaller than in previous years.

Many analysts don't expect real relief before late 2027, and some forecasts run longer.

If you want the full background, our guide on why gaming PC prices are increasing in 2026 breaks down the RAM, SSD and graphics card shortage in plain English.

What Discounts Should You Realistically Expect?

Forget the 40% and 50% headlines. For complete systems, a sensible expectation this year looks like this:

Mid-range gaming PCs: around 10% to 18% off

High-end gaming PCs: around 8% to 15% off

Graphics cards on their own: small cuts, often just a few tens of pounds

RAM: little to no discount, if any

Monitors, keyboards, mice and headsets: the usual strong savings of 25% or more

These figures are estimates based on current market reports, not promises. The biggest bargains this year will be on accessories, and the best PC value will come from sellers who bought their memory early. System builders buy in bulk on longer contracts, so a ready-made PC can genuinely work out cheaper than buying parts one by one.

When to Order: A Simple Timeline

So when should you actually hit "buy"? Here's the plan we'd follow.

Now to early November: research and shortlist. Pick two or three PCs you like and note their current prices. Screenshot them. This is your proof of what the price was before the sale, and it's the most useful thing you can do.

Early to mid November: watch for early deals. Some of the best-specced builds sell out before Black Friday even arrives. If a PC you've shortlisted drops to a price you're happy with, don't wait for a "better" one that may never come.

Black Friday, 27 November: check the headline deals. This is when the big brand promotions go live. Compare them against your notes.

Cyber Monday, 30 November: last chance. Leftover stock is often cut again. The catch is that the popular configurations have usually gone.

Our honest view? If you need a PC in the next six months, buy during this sale. With memory prices still climbing, waiting until spring 2027 is more likely to cost you than save you. Still unsure? Read is now the right time to buy a gaming PC or should you wait.

Best Gaming PC Deals to Watch by Budget

Here are five gaming desktops from pcgamingcases.co.uk worth keeping an eye on. Prices below were listed at the time of writing and may change during the sale, so always check the product page.

Best Entry Point for 1080p: Ryzen 7 5700X and RTX 5060

If you play Fortnite, Valorant, Warzone and similar titles, this is plenty. The IONZ Apex gaming PC with Ryzen 7 5700X and RTX 5060 comes with 16GB RAM, a 1TB NVMe SSD and a 240mm AIO cooler, and sits at around £920 to £1,000 depending on the listing.

Best Value AMD Pick: Radeon RX 9060 XT

The IONZ Apex Vision gaming PC with Ryzen 7 5700X and Radeon RX 9060 XT is listed at £1,099.95. You get an LCD display on the case, a 650W power supply and a 1TB NVMe SSD. It's a neat option if you'd rather go with AMD graphics.

Best All-Rounder: Ryzen 5 7600X and RTX 5060 Ti with 32GB DDR5

This one stands out because of the memory. With RAM so expensive, a PC that already includes 32GB of DDR5 is worth more than it looks. It's listed at £1,299.95 on the 1000 to 1999 collection and works nicely for 1080p at high refresh rates and a lot of 1440p gaming.

Best for 1440p: MSI-Built RTX 5070 System

Playing at 1440p? The Ryzen 7 5800X and RTX 5070 12GB build in an MSI Forge case comes with 32GB RAM and a 1TB NVMe SSD for £1,479.95. For the money, it's one of the strongest 1440p options in the range. Want to compare more? Browse all RTX 5070 gaming PCs.

Best High-End Pick: Ryzen 7 9800X3D and RTX 5070 Ti

For serious frame rates and future-proofing, the IONZ build with Ryzen 7 9800X3D and RTX 5070 Ti 16GB is the one to watch at £2,259.95. The 9800X3D is a gaming-focused processor, and 16GB of graphics memory gives you headroom for demanding titles.

Need it quickly? The Next Day PCs collection is worth a look if you'd like your machine before the Christmas rush.

Still choosing between two graphics cards? Our comparison of the RTX 5060 vs RTX 5070 will help you decide.

How to Spot a Genuine Black Friday PC Deal

A deal is only a deal if the spec is good. Run through this checklist before you pay.

Check the graphics card first. It does most of the work in games. For 1080p, an RTX 5060 class card is a solid start. For 1440p, look at an RTX 5070 or RX 9070 class card. Be careful with 8GB graphics memory at 1440p, as some newer games want more.

Look for at least 16GB of RAM, ideally 32GB. Make sure it's dual channel, meaning two sticks rather than one.

Choose a 1TB NVMe SSD or bigger. Games are huge now, and 500GB fills up fast.

Check the power supply. A named brand with an 80 Plus rating is what you want. A cheap, unbranded unit is a false saving.

Think about the case. Good airflow keeps temperatures down and noise low. If you'd like to upgrade later, have a browse of PC cases, including options such as the Antec C7 ARGB.

Compare the "was" price with a price you saved. Retailers must be honest about reference prices, so look for a clearly shown previous price and cross-check it with your own screenshots.

Read the warranty and returns policy. Most online orders also come with a legal right to cancel within 14 days of delivery, which is a useful safety net for a big purchase.

Common Black Friday Mistakes to Avoid

Even sensible people slip up in a sale. Don't buy an older graphics card just because it looks cheap, as it can cost the same as a newer, more efficient one. Don't pair a strong graphics card with a weak CPU. And don't wait for a deal that never arrives, because when prices are rising, waiting can backfire.

For more, read our list of top gaming PC buying mistakes to avoid.

Pre-Built or Build Your Own?

A year ago, the answer was often "build it yourself and save a bit." Right now it's less clear.

A pre-built PC gives you one warranty and a tested machine. A self-build gives you full control but means more research, assembly and several warranties. If you simply want to game, a ready-made system from a trusted seller is the easier route, and in today's market it's frequently the cheaper one too.

Final Thoughts

Black Friday 2026 won't be the price-slashing event of a few years ago, and anyone telling you otherwise is selling something. But if you shortlist early, check the spec and order when a fair price appears, you can still land a great gaming PC.

Start with your budget, pick your resolution, and save today's prices. When the sale arrives, you'll know a real bargain on sight.

Frequently Asked Questions

When is Black Friday 2026?

Black Friday falls on Friday 27 November 2026. Cyber Monday follows on Monday 30 November. Many retailers begin early deals in early to mid November and keep offers going into the first week of December.

Are gaming PCs cheaper on Black Friday?

Often, yes, but by less than usual this year. Because RAM and SSD prices are high, mid-range gaming PC discounts are likely to sit around 10% to 18%, with accessories seeing the biggest savings.

When is the best time to buy a gaming PC for Black Friday?

Shortlist your favourites now, watch for early deals in November, and buy when a PC hits a price you're happy with. Popular builds can sell out before Black Friday itself, so waiting for Cyber Monday carries some risk.

Is it worth waiting until after Black Friday?

Usually not. With memory prices still high and many analysts expecting little relief before late 2027, prices after the holidays are more likely to rise than fall. If you need a PC soon, buying during the sale makes sense.

What specs should a Black Friday gaming PC have?

Aim for a current graphics card (RTX 5060 or better for 1080p, RTX 5070 class for 1440p), at least 16GB of RAM with 32GB preferred, a 1TB NVMe SSD, and a reliable 80 Plus power supply.

Is a pre-built gaming PC better than building my own in 2026?

It can be. Pre-built makers often buy memory and storage in bulk, which can beat the price of buying parts individually right now. You also get one warranty and a tested system.

How can I tell if a Black Friday gaming PC deal is genuine?

Check the full specification, compare the listed "was" price with prices you've recorded, and look at the graphics card, RAM, SSD and power supply. A big discount on weak parts isn't good value.

Will RAM and graphics card prices drop after Black Friday?

It's unlikely in the short term. Memory shortages linked to AI demand are expected to keep prices elevated, with many analysts pointing to late 2027 or beyond for any meaningful easing.

Can I return a gaming PC bought online during Black Friday?

In most cases, yes. Online purchases usually carry a 14 day right to cancel from the day you receive the goods, plus protection if the item is faulty. Always check the seller's returns policy before paying.