I'm planning my first PC build and would appreciate some guidance. I'm still learning about compatibility and parts, so I put together a list of components that I hoped would work well together. I'm a student in the United States and would use the computer for university work as well as gaming. My main games are Genshin Impact, God of War, The Sims 4, Elden Ring, and Minecraft, potentially with mods. I'd like everything to run smoothly for the next few years, although I'm comfortable upgrading parts later if necessary. I initially selected an RTX 2060 Super because it was recommended in a video, but I'm open to replacing it. I already own an NZXT H9 Flow case, but I'm unsure about the graphics card, power supply, and Windows license. The Windows option I chose appears to be a DVD version, and I don't have an optical drive.
4 Answers
The power supply should also be chosen with future upgrades in mind. A 600W unit may work for some lower-power parts, but an 850W model from a reputable manufacturer would give you more headroom for a stronger graphics card later. Also double-check the exact motherboard and PSU connectors instead of relying only on a compatibility warning.
The list is missing the case, although that’s fine if you already own the NZXT H9 Flow. The Windows license also appears to be a DVD edition, so it would require an optical drive. You can instead use a USB installer and purchase a digital license, or install Windows first and activate it later. The H9 Flow is a large case, so make sure the replacement graphics card and power supply physically fit and that you have enough case fans.
The RTX 2060 Super is far too old and overpriced if it’s being purchased new, especially anywhere near $500. A more modern graphics card would provide much better performance for the same or lower price. One alternative parts list was estimated to be roughly $300 cheaper while offering around two to three times the gaming performance. Make sure you compare current U.S. prices rather than relying on an older video recommendation.
For your games and schoolwork, prioritize a current midrange graphics card, 16GB or 32GB of RAM, and at least a 1TB NVMe SSD. Minecraft with mods and newer games benefit from extra memory and storage, while university programs usually don’t require a huge drive. A balanced modern build will be much better than spending a large amount on an old RTX 2060 Super.
Thanks! I only chose the 2060 Super because a video said it met the requirements. I’m definitely willing to replace it since I’m still learning.