The Comparator

Academy · Common tasks

Shop within a budget

A budget is a limit, not a preference. Set it as a filter, require what your job needs, and let Value rank the rest.

Lessons · Shop within a budget

A price limit and a price weight are different things

A price limit removes every product above it. The price weight in your priorities only moves cheaper products up the list. It removes nothing. Use the limit for money you cannot spend, and the weight for “cheaper is better, all else equal”.

  1. Set the maximum price in the filter rail. Prices are in the market’s currency.
  2. Require the job. Choose the job in the Value menu and set a Minimum capability. See Find hardware for a job.
  3. Sort by Value. Among products that are good enough and affordable, the better deals come first.
  4. Look just above your limit. Raise the maximum by 10–15% and see what appears.

Count the rest of the cost

Shipping is included where a store charges for it. Tick Include 3-year energy cost to add three years of electricity at your rate. That can reverse the order of two cards with very different power draw. Used and refurbished offers are scored with their condition and warranty. Add those conditions in the filter rail if you are open to them.

Best views give you a ready shortlist for common tasks that you can then change.

Terms used here

Priorities
How much price, performance, memory, power or warranty matter to you. Read the lesson
Value
How good the current price is under your priorities, from 0 to 100 within the view. Read the lesson
Grade (S–F)
A letter from S (excellent) to F for one job, such as 1440p gaming. Read the lesson