I'm planning to build a PC later this year and am trying to find ways to keep costs down while maximizing performance. Here's my current parts list:
- **CPU:** AMD Ryzen 5 9600X 3.9 GHz 6-Core Processor - $156.00
- **CPU Cooler:** Thermalright Phantom Spirit 120 SE - $35.90
- **Thermal Compound:** Noctua NT-H2 - $29.44
- **Motherboard:** ASRock B650M Pro RS WiFi Micro ATX - $129.99
- **Memory:** TEAMGROUP T-Create Expert 32 GB DDR5-6000 - $86.99
- **Storage:** SK Hynix Platinum P41 2 TB NVME SSD - $119.99
- **Video Card:** XFX Swift OC Radeon RX 9060 XT - $369.99
- **Case:** Lian Li A3-mATX Mini Tower - $89.99
- **Power Supply:** Montech CENTURY II 850 W - $84.90
- **Case Fan:** ARCTIC P12 PST 5-Pack - $40.52
- **Monitor:** ASRock PG27QFT1B 27" 180 Hz - $142.77
**Total Cost:** $1286.48
I'm wondering if anyone has suggestions for parts that would give me better value without compromising too much on performance?
2 Answers
You might want to skip the Noctua thermal paste; the one that comes with your cooler should be good enough. Also, consider getting a more budget-friendly SSD. Your power supply seems over the top for what you need, too.
If you're after value, you might want to check out Intel options instead of AMD. While AMD is great, their higher-end stuff can get pricey. Take a look at the Intel Core i5-13400F—it’s good performance for the price and fits well with a decent GPU and RAM combination. There are also builds out there that max out at around $1,200 and provide solid gaming performance, especially if you go for a good GPU.
I see what you mean! I was thinking of future-proofing with the PSU, but I'll definitely look into a more efficient option.