I'm new to building PCs and would appreciate some guidance. My budget is roughly $1,000–$2,000 AUD, but I'd prefer to stay close to $1,500 if possible. I'm open to buying used parts, including from local marketplaces, if that helps get better performance.
I'd like to play games such as Genshin Impact, Minecraft with high-quality shaders, Valorant, and Honkai: Star Rail at high or maximum settings with minimal lag. I'm willing to sacrifice flashy aesthetics for better performance, and I'd prefer a system with parts that can be upgraded or replaced over time. I'm located in Australia, so local pricing and availability are important.
4 Answers
A compatibility tool that supports Australian retailers is useful for comparing prices and checking whether everything works together. Don’t cut costs on the power supply—choose a reputable model and check it against a current PSU quality list, since a poor-quality unit can damage other components.
AMD graphics cards often offer better gaming performance per dollar, although Nvidia may be preferable for certain productivity features or advanced ray-tracing workloads.
Used parts can save money, especially for a graphics card, but I’d be cautious about using several second-hand components in a first build. If the computer doesn’t work, it becomes difficult to figure out which part is faulty. Used RAM is usually a lower-risk purchase, but avoid second-hand power supplies entirely.
If you do buy a used GPU, ask for temperature information and a recent benchmark, check whether proof of purchase is available, and test it before handing over the money.
Another option is a cheaper last-generation platform using a Ryzen 5 5600, a compatible AM4 motherboard, and DDR4 memory. It can handle these games well and may leave more money for the graphics card, but AM4 has less future upgrade potential than AM5. I’d choose AM5 if the total cost fits your budget.
For around $1,500 AUD, I’d look at a Ryzen 5 7500F or 7600, a decent B650 motherboard, 32GB of DDR5-6000 memory, a 1TB NVMe SSD, and a reliable 650–750W power supply. Pairing that with an RX 9060 XT 16GB, if the pricing works out, should provide strong 1080p performance and respectable 1440p gaming while leaving you with a good AM5 upgrade path.
Use an Australian parts-pricing site to compare retailers and check compatibility. Your monitor’s resolution and refresh rate also matter, since they determine how much of the budget should go toward the graphics card.
Thanks, I hadn’t thought about the monitor affecting the parts list. I’ll check what resolution and refresh rate I’m using before finalising anything.