My home was recently robbed and my previous PC, which used a Ryzen 5 5600X and Radeon RX 6800 XT, was stolen. I'm hoping to build a replacement around December while watching for sales in the meantime. My budget is roughly $1,500–$2,000 AUD for the PC only, and I'd like strong 1440p performance with some potential for 4K gaming. I'm especially interested in a mini-ITX build, although performance matters more if that form factor pushes the price too high. I considered buying a Ryzen 5 8600G temporarily so I could have a working computer now, then adding a graphics card later. Would that be worthwhile, or would it make more sense to save and build the complete system at once? I'm out of date on current components and would appreciate advice on which parts and sales to look for.
3 Answers
A full 4K build with high frame rates is difficult to fit into $2,000 AUD, especially if you want newer parts. At this budget, 1440p is the more realistic target. Your old 5600X was still capable, so a used AM4 system with a stronger graphics card could offer excellent value instead of moving immediately to an expensive AM5 and DDR5 setup.
For this budget, prioritize the graphics card. A sensible AM5 build with a midrange CPU and something around an RX 9060 XT, RX 9070 XT, or RTX 5070 could provide very good 1440p performance. A used system from a reputable local builder may also leave more money for the GPU, but check the parts, warranty, and condition carefully.
A Ryzen 5 8600G can work as a temporary system, but its reduced cache makes it less appealing as the foundation for a future gaming build. Since it uses AM5, the upgrade path is decent, but DDR5 pricing can make the temporary route poor value. I’d rather wait for a discounted Ryzen 5 9600X or 7600X3D and pair it with a proper graphics card.
That’s useful to know, thanks. I may save for longer and watch for discounts instead of buying the APU first.
Just to clarify, I’m not upgrading an existing computer—the entire previous system was stolen. I’m trying to choose the best replacement parts for this budget.