I'm putting together a gaming PC using a Ryzen 5 9600X and a Radeon RX 9060 XT 16GB. Is this CPU and GPU combination well balanced, and what power supply would be a good choice? I'm also surprised by how expensive DDR5 memory is right now. I know an all-in-one liquid cooler isn't necessary, but I like the appearance and am willing to spend extra on one. Any advice on improving the parts list would be appreciated.
4 Answers
The CPU and GPU pairing should work well for a mid-range gaming system. The unusually high memory price is likely related to current demand from data-center and AI hardware, so checking several retailers or considering a reliable used kit is worthwhile. Sixteen gigabytes can work for some systems, but 32GB is the better target for a new gaming PC.
The AIO is optional for this processor, but it’s fine if you want it for the looks. Just keep in mind that the extra cooler cost could instead go toward a stronger graphics card, which would usually make a much bigger difference in gaming performance. A good air cooler would also be quieter, simpler, and cheaper.
The build is generally solid. A good-quality 650–750W Gold-rated power supply would be plenty, with 750W giving you more room for future upgrades. Look for a reputable model with modern PCIe support and a strong safety rating rather than choosing purely by wattage.
You could save a noticeable amount by choosing less expensive DDR5-6000 CL30 memory and a cheaper NVMe SSD. Those parts usually won’t feel different in normal gaming. Used or open-box RAM, storage, and graphics cards can also reduce the total cost, as long as you can verify their condition and warranty.
I found a cheaper second-hand memory kit, although its latency is slightly higher. Would that still be suitable for this build?