I'm building my first PC in California with a budget of about $1,000. I'll mainly use it for schoolwork, streaming movies and anime, and playing Roblox and modded Minecraft for a few hours at a time. I'd like to use lightweight shaders at 1080p.
Here's the parts list I'm considering:
- CPU: AMD Ryzen 5 5600 — $159
- Motherboard: Asus Prime B550M-A WiFi II — $89.99
- Memory: 16GB (2x8GB) DDR4-3200 CL16 — $129.99
- Storage: WD Blue SN570 500GB NVMe SSD — $132.58
- Case: Corsair Frame 4000D RS ARGB — $84.99
- Power supply: Corsair CX650M 650W — $74.98
- Monitor: Sceptre 24.5-inch 1080p 165Hz — $99.98
- Mouse: Logitech G203 — $25.99
- Speakers: Creative Pebble — $19.99
- Graphics card: Mougol Radeon RX 580 8GB — $134.99
The RX 580 is the part I'm most concerned about. Is this brand reliable, and would this be a decent choice for my games? I know a stronger graphics card would be preferable, but I'm trying to stay under budget. Are there any parts I should replace or downgrade to make room for a better GPU?
2 Answers
Several parts are overpriced for this budget. The Ryzen 5 5600 should cost considerably less than $159, and a Ryzen 5 5500 could be an even cheaper option if necessary. If high-refresh-rate gaming matters, a Ryzen 7 5700X can also be worth considering if you find one at a good price.
The 16GB memory kit is too expensive, so try to get 32GB for around the same price or less. The 500GB SSD is also overpriced; 1TB drives are often available for a similar amount. A cheaper case and possibly using the monitor’s built-in speakers temporarily could put more money toward the GPU. The Creative Pebble speakers are still a good inexpensive choice if you want dedicated speakers.
The graphics card is the biggest weakness here, and I’d be cautious about buying an RX 580 from an unfamiliar brand. It’s an older card, so a used GPU from a reputable seller may offer much better value. Depending on local prices, look for an Intel Arc A580 or B570 new, or a used RX 6600 XT, RTX 3070, or similar card. Verify the seller’s return policy and test the card if possible.
You can also free up money by choosing a cheaper case, buying a 1TB SSD instead of the overpriced 500GB drive, and finding a less expensive 32GB memory kit. For Minecraft with mods, 32GB is preferable, especially if you plan to run shaders or large modpacks.
That makes sense. I’m especially interested in finding a legitimate place to buy used CPUs, RAM, or graphics cards because I’m worried about scams.
I’ll look for a cheaper 1TB SSD and monitor. I hadn’t realized those parts were taking up so much of the budget.