I'm looking to upgrade my gaming setup and I have a list of components in mind. The prices of RAM have gone up recently, so I'm a bit confused about where to start. I want to ensure that I can run games like Escape from Tarkov and Siege smoothly. I've chosen a CPU that should work well with my existing GPU, but I'd like to see if there are ways to save some money there since RAM costs are so high. Plus, will my old power supply still be reliable with this new build? Here's what I have so far:
- **CPU**: AMD Ryzen 5 9600X 3.9 GHz 6-Core
- **CPU Cooler**: be quiet! Dark Rock 5 93.5 CFM
- **Motherboard**: MSI PRO B650-S WIFI ATX AM5
- **Storage**: Samsung 990 Pro 1 TB NVME SSD
- **Video Card**: Gigabyte GAMING OC Rev 2.0 GeForce RTX 3060 12GB
- **Case**: NZXT H5 Flow (2024) ATX Mid Tower
- **PSU**: Corsair CX650M 650 W 80+ Bronze Certified Semi-modular (from my old build)
2 Answers
A budget-friendly option for cooling could be a $15 single tower cooler, which is sufficient for the 9600X. If you're willing to spend around $35, consider a dual tower option like the Thermalright PS120. Just a heads up, Tarkov does favor a strong CPU, so this upgrade should boost your gaming experience significantly.
If you're looking at CPU options, the Ryzen 7600, 7600X, or even the 7500F could be more affordable while still offering similar performance. Also, for cooling, if you're buying new, you might want to avoid the pricier models. A single tower cooler should do—like one from Thermalright that strikes a good balance between cost and efficiency.
Do you have a specific Thermalright cooler in mind that you'd recommend?

I was using a Ryzen 5 1600X before, so moving to the 9600X is definitely going to be a big jump for me!