CPU recommendations?

VA panels tend to perform much better when you're playing games with lots of dark, moody scenes, which is really the only real drawback here. It’s also probably worth opting for a curved screen just to minimize those color shifts and contrast issues near the edges... But I'm not sure I quite follow your logic, since monitors aren't typically bundled with these specific setups; they're more of an add-on purchase, so you can honestly pick whichever one you prefer 🤷

wanderingbison9 said:VA is definitely superior when you're playing games with lots of dark scenes—that’s really the main thing. Honestly, I'd suggest going with a curved screen too, just because it helps minimize color shifting and contrast issues near the edges. But I don't quite follow your logic; monitors aren't typically bundled as part of those specific PC builds. They're usually an add-on, so you can just pick whatever one you want. 🤷

I get that, but they were listed as options in those pre-built bundles, so I figured I'd include them in case anyone wanted to recommend something better!

https://www.bestbuy.com/monitor-dell-s...io-curved

https://www.newegg.com/hr/monitor-27-s...grey-100300837

If you're planning on playing multiplayer, an IPS monitor is your best bet since it offers much better response times than VA panels. But if you’re sticking to a tight budget and just want the fastest response possible, you can't beat the old TN panels!

William Rogers6 said:I mean, I know, but they were bundled together in those specific packages, so I just included them in case anyone out there might suggest a better setup!

https://www.bestbuy.com/monitor-dell-curved-series

https://www.microcenter.com/monitor-27-inch-silver

I'm still a little lost here—did they actually offer those to you personally at a discount? Because looking at the links you shared, I don't see how those components would actually pair up with that configuration.

I'll just post this here instead of starting a whole new thread. I wasn't really sure where else to go with this question.
I’m trying to wrap my head around the logic behind Amazon's pricing. Why on earth are they still holding the price for the Intel Core i9-12900K above $2333, when absolutely everyone else is dropping theirs toward $2067?
It feels like a lose-lose situation: I can't flip mine for a profit, yet they refuse to actually lower their prices during sales. Honestly, I'd rather just walk into Best Buy than deal with them. To make matters worse, they use those fake "sale" tags—like marking something down from $7,500 to $7,200 (okay, I'm exaggerating, but you get the point).
What is even the point of all that?

granitecrane2 said:Look, I don't want to start a whole new thread here, but I have no idea where else to ask.
I can't wrap my head around Amazon's logic. Why on earth are they still pricing the Intel Core i9-12900K above $2333 when everyone else is dropping down toward $2067?
It's useless. I can't sell mine, but they won't even drop their price for a sale. Honestly, I’d rather just walk into Best Buy than deal with them. And then they have the nerve to put a fake "sale" tag on it, crossing out 7500 for 7200 (okay, I'm exaggerating, I don't feel like looking up the exact numbers right now).
What's the point?

The point is that most people don't know how to Google lower prices, let alone actually ask someone, "Hey, I want this, where's the best deal?"

granitecrane2 said:I don't want to start a whole new thread, but I'm stuck on where else to ask this.
I can't wrap my head around Best Buy's logic—why are they keeping the price of the Intel Core i9-12900K above $2333 when everyone else is dropping toward $2067?
It’s useless if I can't sell mine, yet they won't even drop the price for buyers. Honestly, I'd rather just head over to Micro Center than deal with them. To make it worse, they use those fake "sale" tags, crossing out $7500 to show $7200 (okay, I'm exaggerating, I don't feel like looking up the exact numbers right now).
What's the point?

https://www.newegg.com/product_i...F_1380729.html
$695!!!