I'm new to building PCs and would appreciate some guidance. I've mainly played on consoles, but I'd like a gaming PC of my own. The games I play are mostly Stardew Valley, The Sims, indie titles, and occasionally Overwatch, so I don't need an extreme high-end system. I'm located in the United States and would like to spend around $1,200, although I can be flexible if that budget isn't realistic. I already own a monitor, keyboard, mouse, and headset, so I only need the computer itself. I'd prefer a physically smaller build with a white case. RGB isn't important since the PC will sit inside a desk cubby. I put together a parts list, but I'm not sure whether the components are compatible or whether I'm spending money in the right places. Any advice on improving the build would be very helpful.
2 Answers
The 6950 XT is not a bad card, but it seems excessive for Stardew Valley, The Sims, indie games, and Overwatch unless you plan to play demanding games at high resolution later. I’d compare its price with newer midrange options and make sure the power supply, case airflow, and physical GPU clearance all match before buying.
For the size and appearance you want, it may be worth looking at a compact micro-ATX case such as the Lian Li A3, paired with a micro-ATX motherboard. That should give you a smaller system without forcing you into the limitations of a very small mini-ITX build. Also, don’t feel locked into the RX 6950 XT—it’s a somewhat unusual choice for the games you listed and may be more graphics power than you need. You could potentially spend less on the GPU or put that money toward better storage, cooling, or a newer platform.
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