I'm looking to transition from my Mac mini to a PC for my music production and gaming needs. I need to stay within a budget of $800, which isn't easy. My current gaming lineup includes titles like Risk of Rain 2, Slay the Spire, and heavily modded Minecraft, as well as larger games like Warhammer 3, Baldur's Gate 3, and Stellaris. I want to know what components I should prioritize to ensure good performance while keeping costs in check. Any suggestions?
2 Answers
Here’s a potential build that I've mapped out: I went with a Ryzen 9600X over the more expensive 7600X since the price difference is minimal. I selected a solid motherboard that offers good VRM support for future upgrades, which is important. For cooling, the Thermalright Peerless Assassin V3 is a great choice, and there are good options for GPUs like the used RTX 3060 or 3060 Ti which can fit into your budget nicely. This build will come to about $873 with the 3060 Ti. It’s a great balance between price and performance!
It's definitely possible to build a PC under $800, but you'll want to be careful with your choices to avoid performance trade-offs. The difference between spending around $800 versus $1000 is significant in terms of performance. I recommend investing a bit more in key components like the GPU and CPU, as they'll make a big difference in longevity. You could potentially use parts that you'll be able to upgrade later on, making it a better long-term investment.
I appreciate your suggestions, TechSavvy! Since my games aren’t graphics-intensive, would I be better off with a 30 or 40 series GPU? I feel like they might be cheaper now.
That's a solid point! But you could save some cash by looking for used graphics cards. I found a 3060 for about $200 on eBay. Might want to check that out!
That build looks great! Just a note, DDR4 prices have shot up since companies are leaning more towards DDR5 now, so keep that in mind while budgeting!