I'm looking to upgrade my current PC, which has an i3-12100F and an RX 6600, along with 16GB DDR4 RAM. While I'm pretty satisfied with the GPU, I really need a better CPU, and I've decided on going with a Ryzen CPU on the AM5 platform, meaning I will also need a new motherboard and DDR5 RAM. My power supply is a bit on the lower end, an XPG Pylon 550W, so I'm considering a better one as well. I also need a case with better airflow since mine is super cheap with just two fans. I've been thinking about selling my current setup and building a new one from scratch.
Here's what I'm looking at for the new build:
- CPU: Ryzen 5 7600 ($260)
- Cooler: Arctic Freezer 36 ($44)
- Motherboard: Gigabyte B650M Gaming X AX ($215)
- GPU: ASUS RTX 4060 Dual OC 8GB ($400)
- RAM: Kingston Fury Beast 32GB (2x16) DDR5 6000MHz CL30 ($175)
- PSU: Corsair RM650 (2021) ($125)
- Case: Asus A21 Plus (4x preinstalled fans) ($95)
- Storage: 1TB Crucial P3 Plus ($80)
Prices are based on USD conversions from my local currency in Bosnia, where things tend to be pricier. I'm aiming to keep costs as low as possible. I was considering swapping the RTX 4060 for a 3060 with 12GB of VRAM since it's cheaper, but I'm unsure if that's a good move. I don't want to skimp on the CPU, motherboard, or PSU this time around, but I'd appreciate any advice on what I can cut back on without compromising too much. Thanks!
3 Answers
It seems like the RAM prices are sky high. You might find cheaper 6000 CL36 RAM, and the performance difference is minimal. If the price jump is too big in your area, consider getting slower RAM to save some dough!
Have you thought about getting the Ryzen 7500F instead? It could save you some cash, and performance is pretty close to the 7600, though you'll lose the integrated graphics. Just a thought!
It’s available for $220, so I might go for it. The benchmarks look solid, so the savings could be worth it even without the iGPU.
I think you could save money by sticking with your current setup and just upgrading the CPU to an i5-14600KF. It performs well in games and you could keep your DDR4 RAM. Upgrading to new platforms can be pricey, especially if you're aiming to save!
That’s a good point. Selling my old CPU and GPU for new ones while swapping the case could be a better way to go. I just want to ensure I'm set for the future.
Yeah, I’ve noticed DDR5 is a lot pricier than the 16GB DDR4 I have now. I think I found a CL36 kit that's only a $20-30 difference, which isn’t too bad.