Hey everyone! My friend is looking to build a gaming PC for competitive games like CS2, Fortnite, Valorant, and Siege, and he wants to keep it under $1000. I'm trying to help him out but could use some suggestions. Also, is it better to go with an Intel CPU since they seem cheaper? Will there be a significant drop in performance if we go that route?
5 Answers
For a solid gaming build, I usually recommend going for a 2TB SSD since they provide plenty of space for games. Since you're already at the budget limit, you could add a second drive later if you find yourself needing more storage. Also, consider downgrading the power supply to a 650W one; just make sure it's a quality 80+ Gold or better for optimal performance. Based on price-to-performance, the RX 7600 is a better option than the 7600XT. If VRAM is a major concern, the RX 7600 still performs well at a lower cost. Also, think about using a B570 or B580 if you're able to find them—they might help save some cash while offering decent performance!
You can get the Ryzen 7500F, which would definitely help keep the build under $1000. It offers similar gaming performance but lacks integrated graphics, which isn’t a big deal if you’re using a dedicated GPU. For the GPU, I'd suggest looking into the B580 for some great value—it's worth waiting to see what the new 9060 series brings in terms of price-performance if you want to stretch the budget a bit!
I believe the B580 build would give your friend better performance for less money compared to the RX 7600XT. Values can really change, so keep an eye on newer components that come out!
It's really important to know what resolution your friend plans on gaming at. Also, check if there's a Micro Center nearby; they often have great deals on components that could help stick to the budget!
Check out my revised build where I managed to shave about $100 off! But honestly, I'm not convinced about using the 8500G with a dedicated GPU like the 7600XT; it just doesn't make sense to me. Consider going for a Ryzen 5 7600 along with a used RTX 3070 if you're looking for solid performance at 1440p.
This entire build feels off! Seriously, mixing the 8500G with a 7600XT is just a bad combo. I’d suggest focusing on better balance for better performance.
Why the 8500G? It doesn’t pair well with a dedicated GPU at all! That's a move I wouldn't recommend.