What PC should I build for World of Warcraft and Minecraft with a $1,000 budget?

Buying used can make the budget go much further, but be careful if you don’t know how to inspect a PC. Ask for the complete parts list, confirm that the computer boots properly, check that it can run a game or benchmark without crashing, and make sure temperatures are reasonable. Avoid systems with no-name power supplies or vague listings that don’t identify the components. A local computer shop or a reputable secondhand seller may be safer than buying from an unknown individual.

Those component names are just shorthand for individual PC parts. The Ryzen 5 5600 or 5600X is the processor, the B550 is the motherboard chipset, and the RX 5700 XT is the graphics card. You’d also need 16 GB of RAM, an SSD, a reliable power supply, and a case. For a first build, 16 GB of memory and a 500 GB or 1 TB SSD are sensible starting points. Speakers aren’t necessary if you use headphones or a monitor with built-in audio.

You probably don’t need to spend the full $1,000 on the tower for these games. A used or budget system with a Ryzen 5 processor and a midrange graphics card should handle World of Warcraft and Minecraft comfortably. A Ryzen 5 5600 or 5600X with a B550 motherboard and an RX 5700 XT would give you plenty of performance and leave room for other games. For a cheaper used build, look for something like a Ryzen 5 3600 or 5500 paired with a GTX 1060, GTX 1070, GTX 1660 Super, RX 570, or RX 580. Just remember to reserve part of the budget for the monitor and peripherals.

A prebuilt may be the simplest option because it includes a warranty and you won’t have to troubleshoot compatibility. Look for at least a modern six-core processor, 16 GB of RAM, an SSD, and a dedicated graphics card. World of Warcraft and Minecraft are not especially demanding compared with newer games, so you can focus on getting a decent monitor and a reliable system instead of paying for the highest-end graphics card.