Is This $1,000 PC Build Good for 1080p Minecraft, Roblox, and Schoolwork?
Asked by
MellowCactus47
I'm building my first PC in California with a budget of about $1,000. I'll mainly use it for schoolwork, streaming movies and anime, and playing Roblox and modded Minecraft for a few hours at a time. I'd like to use lightweight shaders at 1080p.
Here's the parts list I'm considering:
- CPU: AMD Ryzen 5 5600 — $159
- Motherboard: Asus Prime B550M-A WiFi II — $89.99
- Memory: 16GB (2x8GB) DDR4-3200 CL16 — $129.99
- Storage: WD Blue SN570 500GB NVMe SSD — $132.58
- Case: Corsair Frame 4000D RS ARGB — $84.99
- Power supply: Corsair CX650M 650W — $74.98
- Monitor: Sceptre 24.5-inch 1080p 165Hz — $99.98
- Mouse: Logitech G203 — $25.99
- Speakers: Creative Pebble — $19.99
- Graphics card: Mougol Radeon RX 580 8GB — $134.99
The RX 580 is the part I'm most concerned about. Is this brand reliable, and would this be a decent choice for my games? I know a stronger graphics card would be preferable, but I'm trying to stay under budget. Are there any parts I should replace or downgrade to make room for a better GPU?
Answers
The graphics card is the biggest weakness here, and I’d be cautious about buying an RX 580 from an unfamiliar brand. It’s an older card, so a used GPU from a reputable seller may offer much better value. Depending on local prices, look for an Intel Arc A580 or B570 new, or a used RX 6600 XT, RTX 3070, or similar card. Verify the seller’s return policy and test the card if possible.
You can also free up money by choosing a cheaper case, buying a 1TB SSD instead of the overpriced 500GB drive, and finding a less expensive 32GB memory kit. For Minecraft with mods, 32GB is preferable, especially if you plan to run shaders or large modpacks.
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Several parts are overpriced for this budget. The Ryzen 5 5600 should cost considerably less than $159, and a Ryzen 5 5500 could be an even cheaper option if necessary. If high-refresh-rate gaming matters, a Ryzen 7 5700X can also be worth considering if you find one at a good price.
The 16GB memory kit is too expensive, so try to get 32GB for around the same price or less. The 500GB SSD is also overpriced; 1TB drives are often available for a similar amount. A cheaper case and possibly using the monitor’s built-in speakers temporarily could put more money toward the GPU. The Creative Pebble speakers are still a good inexpensive choice if you want dedicated speakers.
MellowCactus47: I’ll look for a cheaper 1TB SSD and monitor. I hadn’t realized those parts were taking up so much of the budget.
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MellowCactus47: That makes sense. I’m especially interested in finding a legitimate place to buy used CPUs, RAM, or graphics cards because I’m worried about scams.