My current computer has only 1 GB of VRAM and DDR3 memory, so it is no longer practical for gaming. I want to build my first PC rather than buy a laptop, though I could consider a laptop with game streaming if a suitable desktop is not possible within my $750–$1,000 budget.
I am not chasing ultra settings or fancy graphics, but I would like to run most games comfortably. The games I have played most include Crusader Kings, Civilization, The Sims, modded ARMA 3, modded Minecraft, Shadow of Mordor, and GTA V. I am open to buying used parts, although my hardware knowledge is limited.
My current draft uses a Ryzen 5 5600, 16 GB of DDR4 memory, a 500 GB NVMe SSD, an A520 motherboard, a FirePro W7100 graphics card, a 500 W power supply, and a small micro-ATX case. The parts total roughly $625 before any changes. Is this a sensible starting point, and what would you upgrade or replace?
3 Answers
The stock cooler situation is worth checking too. The Ryzen 5 5600 can run with a basic cooler, but the inexpensive tower cooler in the alternative build should be quieter and keep temperatures lower. Also, 1 TB of storage is preferable to 500 GB because modern games and mod collections fill drives quickly.
Do not spend $170 on that FirePro. If you find one for roughly $20 used, it could be a temporary option, but it is poor value at the listed price. Even an inexpensive used RX 580 around $50 would generally make more sense for gaming, while a used RTX 2070 or similar card may be available near that same $170 range. Compare actual gaming benchmarks rather than relying on VRAM capacity alone.
The FirePro W7100 is the main problem. It is a workstation card and is not a good gaming purchase at around $170. For a similar overall budget, use a modern gaming GPU instead. A build with a Ryzen 5 5600, 16 GB of RAM, a 1 TB NVMe SSD, and an Intel Arc B580 12 GB would be far better for current games and can fit within about $930. Pair it with a decent 650 W Gold-rated power supply. The B580 should handle your listed games comfortably, especially at 1080p.
Would it be worth spending a little more on a B550 motherboard instead of using the A520 board?
A B550 board gives you more expansion and PCIe flexibility, but the A520 board is adequate for a Ryzen 5 5600 if you do not need overclocking or extra features. Put the money toward the graphics card first.
If you can find a Ryzen 5 5500X3D near $150, it could be an interesting gaming upgrade, especially for simulation games, but it is not necessary if getting it would force you to downgrade the graphics card.