Is This a Balanced Budget PC for 1080p Gaming and Photo Editing?
Asked by
MellowCedar42
I'm planning a budget build with a Ryzen 5 5500F, RX 580 8GB, 32GB of DDR4 memory, a 128GB SSD for the operating system, a 1TB SSD for games and software, and a Thermaltake Smart 600W power supply. I mainly want to play lightweight indie and esports games at 1080p on medium to high settings, while also doing advanced photo editing with older versions of Photoshop. Is this a sensible parts list, or should I redistribute the budget?
Answers
The power supply is the part I’d replace first. Choose a reputable modern unit, such as an MSI MAG A550BN or Corsair CX550, rather than the basic Smart-series model. Also check that the motherboard supports the processor with its current BIOS, ideally with a BIOS Flashback feature.
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I’d change the memory and storage balance. Use 16GB as 2x8GB DDR4-3200 CL16 unless your photo-editing projects regularly need more, then put the savings toward the graphics card. A single 1TB NVMe SSD is also a better setup than splitting the system across a tiny 128GB drive and another SSD.
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For those games, an RX 580 can still handle 1080p medium settings, but it’s an old card and many used examples have had heavy mining use. If you can find one in good condition, it may be acceptable for a very low-budget build, though a used GTX 1660 Super, RX 5600 XT, or RX 6600 would give you more performance and longevity.
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MellowCedar42: I mainly want light indie and esports games at 1080p medium to high settings, plus advanced photo editing with older Photoshop versions.