I'm wondering if there's a way for me to build a custom PC that can either match or beat the performance of a $1500 prebuilt system while keeping costs reasonable. The prebuilt I'm looking at has a Ryzen 5 7600x CPU, an RTX 5070 graphics card, 32GB of DDR5 RAM, a B650M motherboard, a 650W Gold PSU, and a 1TB NVMe SSD. I'd like to aim for an overall budget of around $1800, but ideally I'd prefer to keep it under $2000 if possible. Specifically, I'd like to know if I can tweak my current custom PC list for better price/performance. Also, what could improve its specs for the kinds of lighter titles I play like CS2, Minecraft, and Valorant? Occasionally, I do play more demanding games like GTAV, FH5, or Elden Ring, but ray tracing isn't a major priority for me. Any advice on optimizing my setup would be greatly appreciated!
6 Answers
A quick tip: if you primarily use a 1TB drive, adding a secondary 2TB HDD might be worth considering for storage expansion. Just something to keep in mind!
I'd also suggest reaching out to the seller of the prebuilt to see what brand it is, as build quality and proprietary parts can be a big factor too. Sometimes it's worth spending a little more upfront for better long-term reliability.
Consider switching to a Ryzen 7 7700X and a RTX 5070 Ti for around $1500. This setup will offer a significant performance boost. You can check for deals on Newegg to save some bucks on the CPU and motherboard; they often have combo discounts. Here's a link to a sample build I came up with that strikes a balance between performance and budget: [Link!](https://pcpartpicker.com/list/nm7VRV)
If you're close to a MicroCenter, you might snag a 7700X with 2TB storage for about $1500, which beats your prebuilt in both performance and storage. Here's a suggested build list: [Check This Out!](https://pcpartpicker.com/list/jRqLKq)
Just make sure to double-check the up-to-date pricing; some parts are fluctuating a lot!
Building it yourself is the way to go! With the right parts, you can definitely do better for less. You might want to upgrade that motherboard too for better compatibility in the future. Don’t forget to grab a Windows key from a reputable source for a lot less than retail price!
I’d recommend avoiding that $700 tag for the 5070 since its MSRP is around $549. Also, if you can find a cheaper Windows key, that could knock $100 off your total. Look for retail options, they’re often cheaper!
That sounds promising, but the savings on the GPU could be misleading. Just be cautious with pricing!