I've received a $3,000 stipend from my job to purchase a new computer, and I need some help with my build. The computer has to be a complete system, whether it's pre-built or custom built, and I must have a receipt to get reimbursed. Also, the total cost can't exceed $3,000, including tax. Fortunately, since I live near Oregon, I likely won't incur any sales tax. Peripherals like monitors and speakers are covered as well.
I've put together a list of components which I hope to get your feedback on. I am also planning to reuse some parts from my old setup including an RTX 3080 GPU, mouse and keyboard, and other audio/visual peripherals. My current part list totals approximately $3,002.43 before tax; I'm planning to buy a cheaper CPU cooler separately which should bring the total under $2,900.
I'm currently using a 34-inch LG monitor but might switch to a 38-inch for a better experience. I'm aiming for a solid non-RGB gaming desktop, which I hope to upgrade later with a new GPU after some savings.
2 Answers
Have you thought about why you're going with an Intel CPU? AMD processors generally offer better performance for gaming. You might want to look into that if you're open to exploring options. Plus, they often provide better value for the money!
Are you planning to overclock? Because fully utilizing that RAM will require overclocking. Also, consider that some cheaper 850W PSUs might offer better value; for example, the Be Quiet! Pure Power 12M is rated A and is about $30 less.
I didn’t realize that! Thanks for the heads-up. Since this is for a personal computer, maybe I’ll tone down the RAM too, especially if I don’t need the high-end speed.
Good point! I could definitely consider AMD if it offers better gaming performance.