I'm building my first PC in Brazil, where component prices are very high, so I'd like to spread the cost out. My plan is to buy the CPU, motherboard, RAM, SSD, power supply, and case now, then add a dedicated graphics card in a few months after saving more. The Ryzen 5 7600 has basic integrated graphics, so I can use the system for everyday tasks in the meantime.
The planned parts are a Ryzen 5 7600, ASRock B850M Pro RS motherboard, 16GB DDR5-6000 as one stick, a 500GB NVMe SSD, a Rise Mode Z3 Glass case, and an XPG Kyber 850W Gold power supply. Later, I'm considering an RTX 5060 8GB or RX 9060 XT 16GB.
My eventual goal is to play Elden Ring at a locked 60 FPS. I chose AM5 and DDR5 for future CPU upgrades, and I plan to add a second matching RAM stick later for 32GB. Is buying the system in stages a sensible approach, or would it be better to wait and purchase everything together? Is the 7600's integrated graphics adequate for basic use and perhaps light games? Is one 16GB stick a reasonable temporary choice, or would dual-channel memory be worth buying immediately? Between the RTX 5060 and RX 9060 XT, which would make more sense for Elden Ring given the price difference? I'd also appreciate suggestions for making the base build more future-proof without wasting money.
3 Answers
One 16GB stick will work, but it runs in single-channel mode and gives the integrated graphics even less memory bandwidth. If the computer will only be used for browsing, office work, and media until the GPU arrives, that’s not a major problem. Still, 2x8GB would be faster immediately, while buying one 16GB stick now makes the later move to 32GB simpler.
The main risk is that the second kit may not match perfectly or reach its advertised speed, so try to buy the same model later—or purchase a matched 2x16GB kit when prices allow. Also check the motherboard and case dimensions, SSD capacity, and the power supply’s reviews rather than paying only for a high wattage rating.
Building the base first is perfectly reasonable if you’re not expecting to play demanding games before buying the dedicated GPU. The 7600’s integrated graphics are mainly for display output and everyday use, though lighter games can run at low settings. Elden Ring is not something I’d plan to play comfortably on it.
The AM5 platform is a good foundation, and the 7600 doesn’t suffer from the kind of major CPU compromises that some older integrated-graphics chips had. Since you already have a PS5, waiting for the proper GPU is probably better than buying an expensive temporary card.
The RX 9060 XT 16GB sounds like the stronger long-term choice if the price difference is reasonable. The extra VRAM should be useful for newer games, and a 7600-class CPU should have no trouble targeting 60 FPS in Elden Ring with an appropriate resolution and settings. Upscaling can provide additional headroom.
For the power supply, 850W is more than you likely need for this class of GPU. A good 650W or 750W unit could save money while still leaving plenty of room for upgrades. I’d spend the difference on the graphics card or a larger SSD instead.
Gaming during the waiting period isn’t important because I already use a PS5. The main reason I want Elden Ring on PC is to use mods.