Use money to buy a PC or save it

[jasonwj322a]

I can choose between a sub $3000 PC or $2000 cash as a gift. I really don't know what to choose. I currently have a decent laptop but more power would definitely help. Gaming on it is especially bad since it's a work centric silhouette. 

 

I'm 17 and don't have a job, also never 'officially' worked. I have about $4000 saved in the bank. I would some times splurge for things but not thousands...

 

I was thinking maybe this can help future endeavors like buying a car in the near future. 

How much does a PC of this caliber usually depreciate?. 

[TetraSky]

Well think of it this way : Will you be needing a lot of money soon? Like going to college, buying a car, paying a rent, whatever else like that?
If you've answered No to all that, just waste it however you want, but I wouldn't suggest spending 3k for a PC, try to limit it to under 2k. You get diminishing return in terms of performances per dollar above that and is simply not worth it unless you have a lot of spare income (which you obviously don't, you just have savings)

[wasab]

Seems like you, or at least your family is wealthy. If you aren't pinching $$$ just buy the best out there. 

[Zando_]

5 hours ago, TetraSky said:

Well think of it this way : Will you be needing a lot of money soon? Like going to college, buying a car, paying a rent, whatever else like that?
If you've answered No to all that, just waste it however you want, but I wouldn't suggest spending 3k for a PC, try to limit it to under 2k. You get diminishing return in terms of performances per dollar above that and is simply not worth it unless you have a lot of spare income (which you obviously don't, you just have savings)

^^^ The performance difference between a $2K or so PC and a $3K one isn't that big unless you're getting higher tier Threadripper chips and such for workstation use. If it's just gaming, you can make a killer rig for $2K. 

[Crunchy Dragon]

15 minutes ago, Zando Bob said:

^^^ The performance difference between a $2K or so PC and a $3K one isn't that big unless you're getting higher tier Threadripper chips and such for workstation use. If it's just gaming, you can make a killer rig for $2K. 

"I chose to go all out and spent around $2,000"....

[Unhelpful]

6 hours ago, jasonwj322a said:

How much does a PC of this caliber usually depreciate?. 

Worse than a car... But it expecting it to be a sunk cost. It's not, but treat it as such.

[Derrk]

invest your money in meme stock

 

[ThePD]

I think you should take the 2000. You have no income and have not held a job. You are 17 and will be entering the real world very soon. Depending on how nice your parents are to you post graduation, is going to factor in a lot here. Are they going to kick you out of the house? Are you going to college? Are you buying a car? Are you getting a Job? 

You have 4000 in the bank in savings which in honesty is nothing. Most people should have have 4-6 months of money as an emergency fund. This means all your bills for 4-6 months should you be unemployed for that long of duration, you can pay for with your saving. You don't have bills now, but you will.

Now, should you pick up a job, given your proximity to Seattle which I believe is a 15 dollar minimum wage situation... then I would say you could consider taking the 3000 PC instead. I feel there a lot of factors you need to consider that people on this particular forum are not going to consider. I feel this question is better suited for a forum such as money.stackexchange which deals with questions like this.

[dizmo]

$2,000 cash, then buy a used PC for around $800. You'll get something worth at least double, and still have $1,200 to save for whatever you want.

Consider getting a job. You're 17, you should at least have a little experience under your belt.

22 minutes ago, ThePD said:

I think you should take the 2000. You have no income and have not held a job. You are 17 and will be entering the real world very soon. Depending on how nice your parents are to you post graduation, is going to factor in a lot here. Are they going to kick you out of the house? Are you going to college? Are you buying a car? Are you getting a Job? 

You have 4000 in the bank in savings which in honesty is nothing. Most people should have have 4-6 months of money as an emergency fund. This means all your bills for 4-6 months should you be unemployed for that long of duration, you can pay for with your saving. You don't have bills now, but you will.

Now, should you pick up a job, given your proximity to Seattle which I believe is a 15 dollar minimum wage situation... then I would say you could consider taking the 3000 PC instead. I feel there a lot of factors you need to consider that people on this particular forum are not going to consider. I feel this question is better suited for a forum such as money.stackexchange which deals with questions like this.

He's 17 and likely lives at home. So, $4,000 would be way more than he needs for 4 to 6 months of living...considering he probably doesn't pay anything.

Very few people have 4-6 months of living expenses until they're into their mid twenties.

[ThePD]

1 minute ago, dizmo said:

He's 17 and likely lives at home. So, $4,000 would be way more than he needs for 4 to 6 months of living...considering he probably doesn't pay anything.

Very few people have 4-6 months of living expenses until they're into their mid twenties.

And that is exactly why the country OP and I are from has such a horrendous debt problem. If someone is unemployed and has 4000 dollars in the bank when is it a good idea to pick a 3000 gaming PC over $2000 hard cash? He lives at home for now, but he wont forever.

OP, you are young. Being financially responsible now makes the rest of your life much easier should life deal you a shitty hand. It also enables you to do things most people cannot. 

[bimmerman]

Take the cash, save it for college/car/beer. A $2k PC is cool and all but if you already have a machine that plays games well enough, go for the cash.

 

Plus, the last thing you want in the dorm is fighting for desk space between laptop and desktop.

[Ross Siggers]

Buy a decent used PC for sub-$1000, and invest/save the rest.

Learn to do things in moderation. I'm sure having a top-end gaming PC isn't essential.

[Javilen]

Once you get you fist job, you are probably going to get tired of using public transit.

[dalekphalm]

8 hours ago, jasonwj322a said:

I can choose between a sub $3000 PC or $2000 cash as a gift. I really don't know what to choose. I currently have a decent laptop but more power would definitely help. Gaming on it is especially bad since it's a work centric silhouette. 

 

I'm 17 and don't have a job, also never 'officially' worked. I have about $4000 saved in the bank. I would some times splurge for things but not thousands...

 

I was thinking maybe this can help future endeavors like buying a car in the near future. 

How much does a PC of this caliber usually depreciate?. 

At 17, with no job?

 

Save that money, my friend.

 

Or, opt for the $2000, and spend half on a decent gaming PC, and save the other half.

[dizmo]

2 hours ago, ThePD said:

And that is exactly why the country OP and I are from has such a horrendous debt problem. If someone is unemployed and has 4000 dollars in the bank when is it a good idea to pick a 3000 gaming PC over $2000 hard cash? He lives at home for now, but he wont forever.

OP, you are young. Being financially responsible now makes the rest of your life much easier should life deal you a shitty hand. It also enables you to do things most people cannot. 

Well, that and the overpriced education system. The US is relatively cheap to live in, a lot of it comes down to people's poor life choices.

He lives at home now, and probably can for the next few years; if he gets a job, it'll take no time at all to save up $2k. Likely a month at most.

[jasonwj322a]

On 10/24/2018 at 10:04 AM, dizmo said:

$2,000 cash, then buy a used PC for around $800. You'll get something worth at least double, and still have $1,200 to save for whatever you want.

Consider getting a job. You're 17, you should at least have a little experience under your belt.

He's 17 and likely lives at home. So, $4,000 would be way more than he needs for 4 to 6 months of living...considering he probably doesn't pay anything.

Very few people have 4-6 months of living expenses until they're into their mid twenties.

I really do want a job, especially now when living with my parents. Though as someone dealing with social anxiety it's extremely difficult for me. 

[jasonwj322a]

On 10/24/2018 at 9:03 AM, Zando Bob said:

^^^ The performance difference between a $2K or so PC and a $3K one isn't that big unless you're getting higher tier Threadripper chips and such for workstation use. If it's just gaming, you can make a killer rig for $2K. 

The $3k was including tax. I should've clarified that, my apologies. 

[jasonwj322a]

On 10/24/2018 at 9:01 AM, wasab said:

Seems like you, or at least your family is wealthy. If you aren't pinching $$$ just buy the best out there. 

I wish. This is for my graduation gift. 

[jasonwj322a]

On 10/24/2018 at 9:40 AM, ThePD said:

I think you should take the 2000. You have no income and have not held a job. You are 17 and will be entering the real world very soon. Depending on how nice your parents are to you post graduation, is going to factor in a lot here. Are they going to kick you out of the house? Are you going to college? Are you buying a car? Are you getting a Job? 

You have 4000 in the bank in savings which in honesty is nothing. Most people should have have 4-6 months of money as an emergency fund. This means all your bills for 4-6 months should you be unemployed for that long of duration, you can pay for with your saving. You don't have bills now, but you will.

Now, should you pick up a job, given your proximity to Seattle which I believe is a 15 dollar minimum wage situation... then I would say you could consider taking the 3000 PC instead. I feel there a lot of factors you need to consider that people on this particular forum are not going to consider. I feel this question is better suited for a forum such as money.stackexchange which deals with questions like this.

Thank you for the suggestions. I'll definitely look into the forum you linked. I assume its similar to something like r/personalfinance on Reddit? Or does it have a broader range? 

[Tcrumpen]

On 10/24/2018 at 10:40 AM, jasonwj322a said:

I can choose between a sub $3000 PC or $2000 cash as a gift. I really don't know what to choose. I currently have a decent laptop but more power would definitely help. Gaming on it is especially bad since it's a work centric silhouette. 

 

I'm 17 and don't have a job, also never 'officially' worked. I have about $4000 saved in the bank. I would some times splurge for things but not thousands...

 

I was thinking maybe this can help future endeavors like buying a car in the near future. 

How much does a PC of this caliber usually depreciate?. 

Easy way to decide.

 

Do you NEED the desktop? If no then save the money easy

[voiha]

On 10/24/2018 at 12:40 PM, jasonwj322a said:

I was thinking maybe this can help future endeavors like buying a car in the near future. 

 

Do you need a car ? How do you picture yourself making money ? If car is a necessity then save towards a better/newer car. If you see yourself making money using a PC then go with the PC, you already have 4K in your bank, that's actually reeaaally good for a 17 year old. Props to that !

 

Edit: Oh and buy a car when you have stable job or some income, car expenses comes unexpectedly.

[Ross Siggers]

On 10/24/2018 at 8:15 PM, dizmo said:

If he gets a job, it'll take no time at all to save up $2k. Likely a month at most.

I don't know what kind of job you expect a 17yr old with no experience will be getting, but $2k in a month seems...optimistic. Especially as that's assuming the amount to be after tax  

 

[dizmo]

2 hours ago, Ross Siggers said:

I don't know what kind of job you expect a 17yr old with no experience will be getting, but $2k in a month seems...optimistic. Especially as that's assuming the amount to be after tax  

 

Minimum wage in Seattle is $15/hr. $15 x 160 hours (full time employment) is $2,400. Less taxes is easily $2,000.

2 hours ago, jasonwj322a said:

I really do want a job, especially now when living with my parents. Though as someone dealing with social anxiety it's extremely difficult for me. 

Only one way to start to get over that. Get out out there. There's also loads of jobs that are lower stress and require less dealing with the public. Though, with those jobs you're generally dealing with less friendly people. So. You're not really winning either way.

[Ross Siggers]

8 minutes ago, dizmo said:

Minimum wage in Seattle is $15/hr. $15 x 160 hours (full time employment) is $2,400. Less taxes is easily $2,000.

Fucking hell. I need to move to America then, national minimum wage here is $10.05, and for large cities like London, the uplift places it at $11.70.

Your minimum wage is more than I earn hourly, and I'm nowhere near the UK minimum wage...

[dizmo]

6 minutes ago, Ross Siggers said:

Fucking hell. I need to move to America then, national minimum wage here is $10.05, and for large cities like London, the uplift places it at $11.70.

Your minimum wage is more than I earn hourly, and I'm nowhere near the UK minimum wage...

I assume that's pound and not dollar though, yes? You also have to look at what things cost. The values aren't the same.