I'm putting together a budget gaming PC with a Ryzen 7 5700X and a 16GB RX 9060 XT. I'm trying to keep costs down, so I'm wondering whether a good-quality 650W power supply is sufficient or if I should spend extra on a 750W unit. I don't expect to upgrade the graphics card anytime soon, and the only likely CPU upgrade would be to a Ryzen 7 5700X3D or 5800X3D. I'm also considering the Cooler Master MWE Gold V3 and would like to know how reliable it is.
3 Answers
A recent 750W model is the safer choice if the price difference is small. It gives you more breathing room and means you won’t have to scrutinize power limits and compatibility as closely. The MWE Gold V3 should be reasonable if it’s the current ATX-compatible version, but verify the exact model and its independent reviews.
For the current parts, 650W is adequate. Just keep in mind that starting with AM4 means future platform upgrades will be limited. A 5800X3D could be a useful drop-in upgrade later, but if you wait several years, newer graphics cards may be held back by the older platform anyway.
A quality 650W unit should be enough for this configuration, provided it’s a reputable model. That said, if the 750W version is only slightly more expensive, it’s probably worth choosing for extra headroom and easier future upgrades. Checking a current PSU tier list is still a good idea.
The model I found is listed around the B tier, so it seems reasonably well regarded.
I’m building from scratch and considered AM5, but DDR5 memory is currently too expensive for my budget. Even a single 16GB stick costs more than a 32GB DDR4 kit.