I'm building my first gaming PC with a total tower budget of about $500–$600 USD. I'll be buying parts in the US, and I already have a monitor, keyboard, mouse, and headset, so the entire budget can go toward the PC itself. My main goal is solid 1080p gaming, and I'd like to avoid pairing the graphics card with a processor or power supply that limits its performance. Should I focus on buying a used GPU or complete system at this price, and which parts should receive the most attention when putting the build together?
3 Answers
A used RX 6600 XT around $150 can be a strong choice for 1080p gaming. Pairing it with an inexpensive older Ryzen processor, such as a Ryzen 5 2600, and a used AM4 motherboard can keep the total cost manageable. Performance won’t be perfect in every newer game, but it should handle a lot of 1080p titles well and leaves room to upgrade the CPU later.
There isn’t much room to be selective with brand-new parts at $500–$600. A new GPU alone could take up a large share of the budget, and the remaining components still need to include a reliable power supply, enough RAM, and an SSD. Prioritize a decent used graphics card, a dependable PSU from a reputable brand, dual-channel memory, and an SSD; avoid saving money with an unknown or very old power supply.
At this budget, used parts are probably the realistic option. A complete used gaming PC may offer better value than buying every component new, since memory, storage, the case, power supply, and motherboard quickly consume a large part of the budget. Look for a system with a reasonably upgradeable platform and check the condition of the power supply before buying.
That does make used hardware seem like the best route. Would an RX 6600 XT-class card still be enough for smooth 1080p gaming over the next few years, assuming I’m willing to lower settings in newer games?