I'm 14 and currently saving about £25 per week for my first PC. I have roughly £400 saved and expect to reach my target around April 2027, with some flexibility to add another couple hundred pounds if necessary. I'd like to build a reasonably powerful but sensible system rather than going overboard, and I'd prefer to stay on the AM5 platform for future upgrades.
My current parts list is:
- CPU: Ryzen 5 7600X
- Motherboard: MSI B650 Gaming Plus WiFi
- Memory: 32GB (2×16GB) DDR5-6000 EXPO, ideally CL30 or CL36
- Graphics card: RX 9060 XT 16GB
- Storage: 1TB PCIe 4.0 NVMe SSD
- CPU cooler: Thermalright Peerless Assassin 120 SE
- Power supply: 650W from a reputable brand
- Case: Montech AIR 903
- Operating system: Windows 11
Are there any parts you would change or upgrades you would prioritize? I've also wondered whether I should buy the RAM or graphics card early in case prices rise, but I'm unsure whether purchasing components so far ahead is a good idea. Suggestions for saving money or earning a little extra would also be welcome.
3 Answers
The overall AM5 plan is sensible, but I wouldn’t buy components this early. Prices and product options can change a lot before April 2027, and buying early means you may lose return periods or discover a faulty part long after purchase. Save the money and buy everything close together when you’re ready to build.
You also don’t need to pay for Windows immediately. You can install it and use it without activating it for a while, then purchase a proper license later when your budget allows. Put that money toward the build itself if necessary.
Don’t feel pressured to spend every pound on the graphics card. Leave room for a quality power supply, a decent SSD, and possibly a larger 2TB drive if game storage is expensive where you live. A 650W unit should be fine for the planned parts, but check the exact model rather than buying based only on wattage.
For saving, keep the money in a separate account or savings pot and look for occasional local work that’s appropriate for your age, such as gardening, pet sitting, washing cars, or helping family and neighbours with basic tasks. The biggest savings will probably come from watching for sales and checking prices when you’re actually ready to build.
Your parts are well balanced for a first build. Keep the 32GB DDR5-6000 kit, but choose a reliable kit with EXPO rather than chasing tiny differences between CL30 and CL36. The Peerless Assassin is more than capable, and the case has good airflow.
When you’re ready to buy, compare the total system price against current graphics-card options. If a higher-tier card such as an RX 9070 fits without sacrificing the power supply, storage, or reliability, it could be a worthwhile upgrade. Otherwise, the 16GB RX 9060 XT should still make a strong 1080p or reasonable 1440p card.
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