I'm in the process of upgrading my old i5 6600k and GTX 1080 (non-Ti) gaming rig to something more modern and I could use some advice. Here's what I've put together so far:
I've created a list of parts on PCPartPicker which you can check out. The total without the GPU is $760, and I plan to budget around $850 max. I got a stick of 16GB DDR5 RAM as a Christmas gift, and I'm considering waiting for a sale to grab an Intel B580 or something similar after that.
This PC will primarily be for gaming, and I'm looking to migrate to Linux since I'm tired of paying for Windows. I have a few specific questions:
1. Does my current build seem reasonable for mid-range gaming, aiming for 1440p at 120Hz (not necessarily obsessed with hitting that, just above 60 fps)?
2. Should I stick with my GTX 1080 while I wait for a better deal on a new GPU, like around $200 for the Intel B580?
3. Will switching to Linux affect my situation? I'm aware that the GTX 1080 is losing driver support, but I'm uncertain about how that will impact gaming on Linux.
Thanks for any input!
3 Answers
If you're sticking to Microcenter due to your gift card, just be aware that some parts might not be the best price vs performance. Consider the 9060 XT 16GB for a better gaming experience, though it’s about $100 more expensive. It might be worth it for the performance boost, especially paired with a strong CPU.
You might want to consider swapping a couple of parts for better value while maintaining quality. There are good SSDs and PSUs out there that could save you some cash. I found a couple of options that could work well for your build without compromising too much.
Your build looks pretty solid for mid-range gaming, especially if you're aiming for above 60 fps. Just a heads up, the Microcenter deal might only include 1 x 16 GB of RAM, so double-check that. In terms of sticking with your GTX 1080, it could work for now, but it isn't the best match for future CPUs like the 7600x3D. As for Linux, while driver support is fading for your GPU, Linux gaming is getting better with Proton, so it might still be okay for casual gaming if you're not into heavy multiplayer titles.
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