I'm putting together a work-focused PC with a budget of about $1,500 USD. My main priorities are running large spreadsheets, keeping 30 or more browser tabs open, and driving two 4K monitors. I'd like the system to remain useful for at least 5–10 years, so I'm spending more on the processor and choosing a motherboard with four memory slots for a future upgrade. I'm planning to use the Ryzen 7 8700G's integrated graphics instead of buying a dedicated GPU.
Here's the current parts list:
- CPU: AMD Ryzen 7 8700G — $281, including the stock cooler
- Motherboard: ASRock B650M Pro RS WiFi — $119
- Memory: G.Skill Flare X5 32GB (2×16GB) DDR5-6000 — $449
- Storage: WD Blue SN5100 1TB NVMe SSD — $189
- Power supply: Corsair RM750e — $89
- Case: Lian Li A3 mATX — $89
- Operating system: Windows 11 Home — $129
- Case fans: Arctic P12 PWM PST five-pack — $43, with two spares
- UPS: CyberPower CP685AVRG — $108
The total comes to roughly $1,500. Are there any parts you would change or potential compatibility issues I should consider?
4 Answers
The build should work, but be careful about planning to populate all four memory slots later. AM5 systems can become harder to run reliably at high DDR5 speeds when all four slots are occupied. When you need more capacity, replacing the current 2×16GB kit with a 2×32GB kit is usually the better approach than adding another pair.
The 750W power supply is more than this system needs if you are definitely staying with integrated graphics. This computer should draw well under 200W, so a quality 500–550W unit would be sufficient. That said, keeping the 750W model is reasonable if you might install a dedicated graphics card later; it gives you upgrade headroom.
I looked for a good 550W model but didn’t find many appealing options. I may keep the 750W unit unless there’s a specific reliable alternative.
There are a few ways to get more value from the same budget: look for less expensive DDR5-6000 CL30 memory, consider a 2TB SSD instead of 1TB, and use a stronger tower cooler than the included stock cooler. You may also find a slightly better-built power supply and a UPS with more capacity for similar money. The 8700G, B650 motherboard, and compact case are otherwise a sensible combination for this workload.
Check the monitor connections carefully. The motherboard provides only one HDMI output and one DisplayPort output, which is enough for two displays but means your monitors and cables need to support those connections. The integrated graphics should handle two 4K displays, including refresh rates up to 120Hz where the monitors, cables, and motherboard output all support it.
That’s what I’ll probably do when I need more memory—replace the two current sticks with a 2×32GB kit instead of filling the remaining slots.