I've been saving for a new PC instead of buying a PS5 Slim and put together a parts list. I'm not very experienced with PC hardware, so I'd appreciate suggestions for reducing the total cost without sacrificing much gaming performance. I also need to budget for a new keyboard and mouse, so the savings would be helpful.
3 Answers
If you can stretch the budget by roughly €80, consider a Radeon RX 9060 XT with 16 GB of VRAM. The extra memory gives you more headroom for newer games and may help the card remain useful if you upgrade the rest of the system later. It’s worth comparing benchmarks for the games you plan to play before deciding whether the upgrade is worthwhile.
A cheaper revised list can keep essentially the same performance while freeing up money for peripherals. You can use the CPU’s included cooler, choose a less expensive motherboard and graphics card with similar performance, and pick a faster or better-value NVMe drive. The original power supply also appears overpriced. A case with front audio connectivity and included fans may save money on extra accessories as well. For the keyboard and mouse, less expensive newer brands can offer good quality without the premium often charged by major gaming brands.
The efficiency labels on power supplies—Bronze, Silver, and Gold—describe how efficiently they convert wall power, not the overall quality or safety of the unit. The real-world electricity savings between ratings are usually fairly small, especially for a typical gaming PC, so focus first on getting a reliable model with suitable protections and enough wattage. A cheaper Bronze unit can be perfectly fine if it is from a reputable series.
That clears up the efficiency ratings. I’ll prioritize a reliable power supply and look for affordable keyboard and mouse options rather than paying extra just for a familiar brand.
Thanks for the advice. I’ll check benchmarks for the games I want to play and decide whether the extra €80 is worth it.