I'm planning a gaming-only PC with a budget of about $1,350, though I could stretch roughly $100 if it's really worthwhile. I'm in the US but don't live near a Micro Center. I'm undecided between 1080p and 1440p, and I play a wide variety of games, including plenty of esports titles, so strong CPU performance matters to me. The main part I'd like to keep is the case, or something with a similar look, since I like its design and it seems reasonably priced. Does this build look balanced, and are there any parts I should change before ordering?
3 Answers
Before committing to the case, watch a few reviews that check its airflow, temperatures, and build quality. It may be a good budget option, but appearance and price don’t always tell the whole story.
I’d reconsider the motherboard. Some of MSI’s 6E boards are weaker value, and the MSI B850M PRO-P reportedly offers better features for about the same price. For memory, a single 16GB stick could make future upgrades easier, although two sticks will provide better performance immediately.
Thanks, I’ll compare that motherboard and think about whether I want to prioritize an easier RAM upgrade or the performance of a two-stick setup.
The graphics card should be capable of 1440p gaming too. Some people may consider the Radeon 9060 XT more of a 1080p card, but it can handle 1440p well with sensible settings.
I mainly chose it because I like the look and the price, but I’ll check more reviews to make sure it has decent airflow and thermals.