I'm putting together a parts list for a budget-friendly gaming PC and would love some feedback. Here's what I've got so far:
- Motherboard: Gigabyte A620I AX Mini-ITX - $111 (+$5 shipping)
- CPU: Ryzen 7 7700X - $199
- GPU: Gigabyte Low Profile GeForce RTX 5050 8GB - $300
- RAM: G.SKILL Flare X5 32 GB (2 x 16GB) DDR5-6400 - $350
- SSD: Crucial E100 480GB Gen4 NVMe M.2 - $89
- PSU: Silverstone Technology FX500 80+ Gold 500W Flex-ATX - $163
- Cooler: Thermalright AXP90-X36 Low Profile CPU Cooler - $30 (+$10 shipping)
- Case: Jonsbo NV10 4.5L Mini-ITX Case - $85
Total cost comes to about $1,327 with $15 for shipping. Given the price and the potential for future upgrades, would I be better off just getting a PS5 instead?
2 Answers
Just a heads up, the E100 uses QLC flash, which means it's not super durable and tends to slow down after a while. You might want to swap it out for something with TLC flash like the Corsair MP510 or Timetec 35TTFP6PCIE. They'll give you better performance and longevity.
You might want to consider going with an AM4 platform; it’s cheaper and there are a lot of good options available. But keep in mind that AM4 is nearing the end of its lifecycle, so if you're really looking for upgrades in the future, AM5 might be worth it.
Also, I’d suggest changing the CPU to a 9600X instead of the 7700X. For the SSD, that Crucial E100 isn't the best. Look into the Kingston NV3 or Patriot P300—they're way better options. Plus, the Intel Arc B580 could be a solid alternative to your GPU for about $300, and it has an extra 4GB of VRAM which is great for gaming.
Totally agree, the extra VRAM can really help with performance, especially in newer games.
Yeah, I get the upgrade path concern, but if you’re just gaming, AM4 should still work fine for a bit. Just manage your expectations for future upgrades. The recommendations for the GPU and SSD sound solid!