Quick Answer: Black Friday is on 27 November 2026, and Cyber Monday follows on 30 November. Under £1,000, aim for an RTX 5060 gaming PC with 16GB RAM and a 1TB SSD. Expect modest discounts this year, so buy a spec you trust when the price looks fair.

Spending under a grand on a gaming PC used to be simple. These days it takes a little more care. Memory and graphics card prices have climbed through 2026, and the budget end of the market feels it first.

The good news? A proper 1080p gaming PC is still very possible for less than £1,000, and Black Friday can shave a bit more off. You just need to know which specs are worth paying for and which ones are a trap.

This guide covers the key dates, what a fair price looks like right now, five ready-built options to watch, and a checklist you can use before you pay. No jargon, no hype.

When Is Black Friday 2026?

Black Friday lands on Friday 27 November 2026. Most shops start early, so think of it as a three-week window rather than a single day.

What Does £1,000 Actually Buy in 2026?

For most people, the answer is an RTX 5060 gaming PC. It’s the sweet spot for 1080p gaming, and it copes with plenty of lighter 1440p play too, especially with DLSS switched on.

Here’s why that price matters. PC Gamer’s latest price checks put a bare RTX 5060 card at roughly £360 to £400 at major retailers, well above its £270 launch price. So a complete system with a processor, case, power supply, SSD and Windows for £949 is doing a lot of work. For context, another retailer’s RTX 5060 mini PC with a Ryzen 5 5500 and 16GB of DDR4 is listed at £989.99.

Memory is the other squeeze. A 32GB DDR5 kit cost around £420 in mid October, which is why most gaming PCs at this budget ship with 16GB. That’s fine for gaming. Gartner also expects average PC prices to rise by about 17% this year, so don’t expect last year’s bargains.

Best Black Friday Gaming PC Deals Under £1,000

Here are five prebuilt gaming PCs from PCGamingCases that sit under the £1,000 mark, using prices listed on 24 October 2026. Want to see everything? Browse all gaming PCs between £600 and £999.

1. Best Value Starter: Ryzen 5 5500 and RTX 5050 (£849.95)

The IONZ Ryzen 5 5500 and RTX 5050 gaming PC comes with 16GB RAM, a 1TB SSD, a 500W power supply and Windows 11. If your main games are Fortnite, Valorant or Rocket League, this is plenty. Torn between this and the next step up? Our RTX 5050 vs RTX 5060 comparison shows exactly what the extra money buys.

2. Best Overall: Core i5-12400F and RTX 5060 (£949.95)

The IONZ Core i5-12400F and RTX 5060 build pairs a dependable gaming processor with a current graphics card, so neither holds the other back. You also get 16GB RAM, a 1TB NVMe SSD, an 80 Plus power supply and built-in WiFi. For most buyers, this is the one to beat.

3. Best for Looks and Cooling: Ryzen 5 5500 and RTX 5060 (£979.95)

Want a white build that looks good on the desk? The IONZ Apex Vision with Ryzen 5 5500 and RTX 5060 adds an AIO liquid cooler, 16GB RAM and a 1TB NVMe SSD.

4. Best for Multitasking: Ryzen 7 5700X and RTX 5060 (£999.95)

The IONZ Ryzen 7 5700X and RTX 5060 gaming PC steps up to eight cores and a 240mm AIO cooler. Those extra cores help if you stream, or keep Discord and a browser open while you play. It sits right at the top of the budget, so a small sale cut makes it very tempting.

5. Best Budget Pick: Ryzen 5 5500 and RTX 3050 (£689.95)

The IONZ Ryzen 5 5500 and RTX 3050 gaming PC is the cheapest way in here, with 16GB RAM and a 1TB SSD. Be honest with yourself though. The RTX 3050 is a previous generation card, great for esports and older games, but if you want recent big releases at higher settings, step up to an RTX 5050 or RTX 5060.

A quick honest note. At this price, most builds use an older processor platform, and many use DDR4 memory. That’s how an RTX 5060 PC lands under £1,000 while memory is so expensive. It’s the right trade for 1080p gaming, but it does leave less room for big upgrades later.

Need it fast? Check the Next Day PCs collection, or compare every RTX 5060 gaming PC side by side.

How to Spot a Genuine Black Friday Gaming PC Deal

A big red percentage sticker tells you nothing without a spec check. Run through this table before you pay.

Here’s a simple trick. Screenshot the price of two or three PCs today, with the date. When the sale starts, you’ll know whether the discount is real. Some shops also offer price matching on selected products, so read the price match terms before you buy.

Should You Buy Early or Wait for Cyber Monday?

If you find a build you like at a fair price, buy it. Popular configurations sell out, and with memory costs still rising, waiting for a bigger cut is a gamble. Bernstein’s October analysis doesn’t expect the shortage to ease before 2027 at the earliest. Our guide to why gaming PC prices are increasing in 2026 explains the causes in plain English, and our wider Black Friday gaming PC guide covers timing across other budgets.

Prebuilt or Build Your Own at This Budget?

Under £1,000, a prebuilt gaming PC usually wins right now. System builders buy memory and storage in volume, so a finished PC can cost less than the same parts bought one by one. You also get a single warranty and a machine that’s been tested before it reaches you. Enjoy the hands-on side? Use the custom PC configurator to choose your own parts.

Your Simple Black Friday Plan

1. Pick your budget and screen. Full HD points to an RTX 5050 or RTX 5060.

2. Shortlist two or three PCs and screenshot today’s prices.

3. Check every spec against the table above.

4. Order when the price is fair. Don’t chase the last £20.

Ready to Shop?

The best deals go quickly, so start your shortlist now. Browse the full range of gaming PCs under £1,000, or contact our team if you’d like help choosing the right spec for your games.

Frequently Asked Questions

When is Black Friday 2026?

Black Friday is Friday 27 November 2026, and Cyber Monday is Monday 30 November. Many shops begin early deals in mid November and keep offers running into the first week of December.

What is the best gaming PC under £1,000 for Black Friday?

An RTX 5060 system with 16GB RAM and a 1TB SSD is the best all-round choice. It handles 1080p gaming comfortably and gives you a little headroom for lighter 1440p play.

Is an RTX 5060 gaming PC under £1,000 good value?

Yes, particularly now. A bare RTX 5060 card alone costs roughly £360 to £400, so a complete tested system for under £1,000 is strong value for 1080p gaming.

Are gaming PCs cheaper on Black Friday?

Usually, but by less than in previous years. Rising memory and graphics card costs mean sensible cuts rather than dramatic ones. Accessories such as monitors and headsets tend to see bigger savings.

Is 16GB of RAM enough for gaming in 2026?

For most games, yes. With DDR5 kits so expensive, 16GB is the practical standard at this budget. If you stream or multitask heavily, aim for 32GB when your budget allows.

Should I buy a prebuilt gaming PC or build my own?

For a budget under £1,000, a prebuilt PC is often easier and cheaper at the moment. You get one warranty, a tested system and no assembly. Building your own makes sense if you enjoy the process.

Is it worth waiting until after Black Friday?

Usually not. Analysts don’t expect memory prices to ease before 2027, so prices after the sale are more likely to rise than fall. If you need a PC soon, buy during the sale.

Can I return a gaming PC bought during Black Friday?

In most cases, yes. Online purchases normally come with 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 first.

Can a gaming PC under £1,000 play games at 1440p?

Yes, in many games. An RTX 5060 PC can run 1440p well in lighter titles and with DLSS enabled. For demanding games at high settings, a more powerful graphics card is a better fit.