I'm helping a friend's son put together a PC mainly for playing Minecraft and Fortnite at 1080p. I have an old 2070 Super GPU that I'll give him for free. Our budget is around 900-950 CHF (about $1200). Here's a link to my current parts list: https://pcpartpicker.com/list/f3F7W9. I'd love some feedback on whether this setup looks good! A few points to consider:
- The 9600X and 7600X are priced the same.
- I'm seeing that 32GB of RAM is quite pricey at around 450, which seems excessive.
- The RM650x power supply isn't available, and the RM750x is only 15 CHF cheaper. I think the RM850x is a solid choice if he plans to upgrade the GPU down the line.
- The case was picked out by him, and while I think it's a bit expensive, it's what he wants.
Also, what do you think about using a 5800X with 32GB of RAM and a B550 motherboard instead? Would that be a better option?
4 Answers
You can definitely stick with a DDR4 system, especially for Minecraft and Fortnite. Check out this build: https://pcpartpicker.com/list/x9c8Tm. I managed to keep my budget around $1200 while balancing performance.
Going for a DDR4 system is definitely a good idea for those games. If he's considering mods or modded servers, having 32GB of RAM would really help. A setup like the Ryzen 5600X with a Peerless Assassin cooler, a B550 board, and 2x16GB DDR4 RAM could offer a great performance boost and would save some costs compared to DDR5.
I've also recommended AM4 builds in the past, but with the new tech out, if you're investing a decent amount, you might as well future-proof with an AM5 setup. Getting into AM4 now feels more like a temporary fix. You can do a basic B550 setup for around $150 and handle most games fine. But if you're aiming for longevity, saving up for AM5 could be the way to go.
The cost breakdown there seems off—B550 for about $100, the Ryzen 5600X or 5800X is about $150 to $170, and 2x16GB RAM is roughly $220. Just not sure those savings are worth it in the long run.
Getting a high-quality AM5 build is the way to go if you want to ensure upgradability over the next few years. If opting for a budget build, consider going for something like a Ryzen 5500 with a B520 or B550 board and 16GB of RAM. It'll handle games just fine for a while, but upgrading later would be simpler with AM5 without needing to spend a lot up front.
The breakdown of costs seems about right for a decent AM4 build. If you just want something to hold you over for a bit, the AM4 route with basic parts is fine, but AM5 is the better long-term choice.
Have you checked out local stores? Sometimes they have deals that can help stretch your budget!
Good point about the motherboard! I used the Asrock B550M Pro SE, which is a micro ATX. Not perfect for USB-C support, but I was able to save a bit since RAM prices were lower when I built mine.