Hey everyone! I'm 17 and new to building PCs, so I'm looking for some guidance. I found some parts online that fit my budget, but I'm unsure if they're compatible or if I'm missing anything essential. Here's my list:
- **Motherboard:** ASUS PRIME B550M-K ARGB AM4 ATX ($129)
- **Graphics Card:** fb marketplace ($100)
- **RAM:** MSI MAG A650BN - 650W Bronze ATX PSU ($75)
- **SSD:** Crucial E100 PCIe Gen4 NVMe M.2 1TB SSD ($179)
- **CPU:** AMD Ryzen 5 5600X 6 Core 12 Thread ($139)
- **Monitor:** Acer Nitro KG241YX1 - 23.8" 1080p 200Hz (PURCHASED) ($119)
- **Case:** Geometric Future Case & Cooler Bundle ($209)
- **Keyboard:** E-Yooso Creamy Mechanical Keyboard ($80)
- **Mouse:** Fantech VENOM II WGC2 Wireless Gaming Mouse ($25)
- **Speaker:** Redragon GS560 Adiemus RGB Desktop Soundbar ($55.20)
My budget is between $1,000 and $1,500 AUD. I want to play games like Overwatch, Fortnite, and Genshin Impact. Any advice you can offer would be greatly appreciated!
6 Answers
If you're worried about compatibility, just check out a site like PCPartPicker. Just make sure you keep your system updated for things like BIOS compatibility. For example, the MSI B550M might need a BIOS update to support the CPU, so keep that in mind!
Beware of no-name brands for peripherals. You might run into issues with software later. Also, consider these motherboards instead of the Asus Prime: MSI B550M Pro-VDH WiFi, Gigabyte B550M DS3H, or Asus TUF Gaming B550 Plus WFi II. Trust me, you want a reliable one!
I took some time to rework your parts list with better options:
CPU: AMD Ryzen 5 5600x
Cooler: Thermalright Phantom Spirit 120 SE
Motherboard: Asus Prime B550M-K
RAM: Corsair Vengeance LPX 16GB (2x8GB)
SSD: Crucial P310 500GB
Graphics Card: Asrock Challenger OC Arc B850 12GB
Case: Phantom XT M3 M25 Mid Tower
PSU: MSI MAG A650BN 650W Bronze.
This should work great for your games!
Just a heads up, but that link you provided for RAM is actually for a PSU, not memory! Also, you might want to look for a less expensive case, as there are plenty of options out there that look great for less. Make sure your GPU is solid – a $100 graphic card is pretty limiting.
It looks like you're off to a good start, but I recommend focusing on getting a powerful GPU first. If you buy a cheaper one now, it might limit your performance. I suggest aiming for at least a 12GB GPU if possible!
Thanks for the advice! What GPU would you suggest?
I recommend using PCPartPicker to compile your parts list. It shows compatibility, reviews, and can help you find better prices. Your initial list is a good start, but try to spend less on the case and invest more in your GPU—$100 isn't much even for a used card!
Yeah, I agree. I could definitely see some adjustments needed.
Good catch! The case comes with a CPU cooler, which I thought was a decent deal. Do I definitely need a PSU? What RAM should I consider? The graphics card I'm getting is the XFX Speedster Radeon RX 6500XT 4GB.