I'm building my first PC and would appreciate some guidance on where to begin researching parts and which retailers are dependable. My total budget is around $5,000, and I'd like a system capable of running modern games at maximum settings. I'm aiming for roughly 60 FPS at 8K, although I'm open to realistic advice about whether that target is practical. I'll also need to learn about compatibility, assembly, cooling, and possibly peripherals.
3 Answers
Common retailers such as Amazon, Newegg, and Micro Center are places many builders use, and local computer shops can be useful if you want assembly help. Experiences with customer service and third-party sellers vary, so check who is actually selling each item, read the return policy, and avoid suspiciously cheap listings. For used components, use a marketplace with meaningful buyer protection and test the hardware quickly after delivery.
Start by defining the resolution and frame-rate target, since “max settings” can mean very different things. A $5,000 budget is enough for an extremely powerful system, but even that may not guarantee 8K at 60 FPS in every demanding game. Use a compatibility and price-comparison tool such as PCPartPicker, then verify benchmarks for the games you actually play. It’s also worth comparing prices from established retailers rather than assuming the most expensive parts are automatically the best.
For a first build, prioritize the graphics card, a strong gaming-focused CPU, 32–64 GB of DDR5 memory, a reliable power supply with enough headroom, and good airflow. You probably don’t need an unusually expensive motherboard, PCIe 5.0 storage, or overpriced memory kits to get excellent gaming performance. Leave part of the budget for a monitor and peripherals unless you already own them. Build guides from reputable hardware educators can help with installation and setup.
I’m mainly thinking about 8K at 60 FPS, but I didn’t realize that could still be difficult with a very high-end budget.