I'm new to building my own PC after having a prebuilt one for about a decade. The GPU finally gave out, and now I'm ready to take the plunge into building my own! I've got a budget of around $600. I've created a parts list and my main concern is whether I'm getting good value for my money or if I should switch out any components for something better, maybe even just by spending an extra $20. I would love to hear any suggestions for improvements! Also, on a side note, I'm looking to get rid of my old PC, so any tips on how to do that would be appreciated.
4 Answers
Definitely consider the i5-12400F and the 9060 XT GPU combo which is within your budget. Plus, the GPU comes with a $50 gift card, so use that towards the CPU to keep your costs manageable! Also, make sure to pull out any usable parts from your old PC before recycling it, like the drive or RAM, if possible.
You might want to upgrade to an m.2 NVMe SSD instead of the SATA one you've got. For not much more than $5, you can get double the storage with a significant speed boost! Check out something like the Klevv Crass C910.
Just a heads-up, if you're looking at SSDs, some of the cheaper options can have lower durability. You should really consider a TLC flash SSD like the Kioxia Exceria Plus or the WD Blue series for better longevity and speed over time. It'll save you headaches down the road, trust me!
Absolutely! Kioxia and WD are solid choices, but TeamGroup and Patriot are also reputable for reliability.
If you're willing to stretch your budget to around $640, I can suggest some changes. Switching to an Intel Core i5-12400F will give you a powerful upgrade, along with better parts overall. It adds a bit, but you'll get a much better build with 32GB of RAM and a solid 1TB M.2 SSD. I've got a full parts list that might help you out.
Do you think sticking with the cheaper case is worth it for a beginner? I'm just wondering if it'll affect airflow or upgrades later.
It's definitely fine for beginners! You can always upgrade the case later if needed.
That's good advice! Any specific brands you recommend for longevity?