I'm putting together a black-and-red gaming PC in Australia and my current parts list comes to roughly $2200 AUD. I've seen conflicting advice about operating systems: do I actually need to purchase Windows, or is installing it from Microsoft onto a USB and using it unactivated safe? I'm spending a lot for a high-school budget, so I don't want to risk the build or waste money unnecessarily. I'd also like feedback on whether the parts offer good value, or if cheaper components could provide similar performance. Some of the white parts I originally considered were more expensive, which is why I changed the color scheme.
3 Answers
You can download Windows directly from Microsoft, create a bootable USB, and install it without activating immediately. That’s safe as long as you use the official Microsoft installer rather than a modified or pirated copy. The unactivated version mainly restricts personalization and shows occasional activation reminders; you can buy and enter a license later. You don’t need to purchase Windows 11 Pro specifically unless you need its business features—Home is enough for most gaming PCs.
Check availability carefully before ordering: the selected case may not be readily available in Australia, and some parts lists can show prices or stock that change quickly. A cheaper, reputable power supply could also free up some budget, but don’t compromise on safety or quality. If you can shift more money toward a stronger graphics card, that upgrade will be more noticeable than spending extra on liquid cooling or a higher-end CPU. Overall, the build can work, but it’s worth comparing locally available alternatives rather than buying every part from the first list you find.
A replacement build only helps if the parts actually ship to your location and are in stock, so local pricing and availability should be checked before treating the listed total as final.
A liquid cooler is unnecessary for a Ryzen 5 7600X. A decent tower air cooler, such as a Peerless Assassin-class cooler, should be cheaper, simpler, and more than adequate. You could also consider a Ryzen 5 7500F, which is usually less expensive while delivering very similar gaming performance. Put the savings toward the graphics card, since that will have a much larger effect on gaming performance.
The 7500F plus an inexpensive air cooler is a good way to reduce the cost without giving up much performance. Just make sure the motherboard BIOS supports the processor.
That makes sense. I was wondering whether paying for Windows 11 Pro would be worth it just to avoid the activation reminders, but using the official unactivated version sounds manageable.