Help choosing a gaming PC build for heavily modded Skyrim and Minecraft

Do plenty of research before ordering because a PC is not automatically cheaper than a console. Aim for a balanced 1440p gaming build rather than overspending on one component. A quality 650–850W power supply is usually enough for a midrange system; you generally don’t need a 1,000W unit unless you’re planning for very power-hungry future upgrades.

You don’t necessarily have to build it yourself. Australian prebuilt systems can sometimes be cheaper than buying every part separately, and a reputable retailer may provide assembly and warranty support. Compare the exact components rather than just the headline CPU or GPU, especially the power supply, motherboard, storage, and cooling. One buyer reported good results from a prebuilt around $1,400 AUD, including for modded games.

For this budget, an AMD graphics card with 16GB of VRAM—such as a Radeon RX 9060 XT 16GB—looks like strong value, especially for heavily modded games. Pair it with a modern midrange processor; a Ryzen 5 5600-class CPU can work, though a newer platform would give you better upgrade options. Nvidia cards offer useful features, but their pricing may make AMD the better performance-per-dollar choice in Australia.

Start by putting together a parts list on a compatibility-checking site. It will flag issues with things like the motherboard, case, RAM, power supply, and cooler, and you can also browse completed builds in your price range. Take your time, compare benchmarks, and watch a few current build guides before buying. Buying components gradually during sales can also help, although paying a shop to assemble everything is an option if you change your mind.