I'm putting together my first PC build and my budget is $650 after taxes. Here's what I've picked so far, which totals to about $647:
- Ryzen 5 5500
- GIGABYTE B550M K Motherboard
- Thermaltake SMART 600W PSU
- DIYPC DIY-S05-BK Black ATX Mid Tower Case
- Timetec 512GB SSD
- GIGABYTE WINDFORCE GeForce RTX 5060 8GB GPU
- Team T-FORCE VULCAN Z 16GB (2 x 8GB) RAM
I'm not really experienced with PC building, so go easy on me! I want to make sure everything fits my budget and will allow me to play games like Rust, Fortnite, and GTA V, and maybe even stream. Also, if you have advice on which parts to buy first, I'd appreciate it since I just started a new job and my budget might change. Thanks!
4 Answers
You're doing great for your first build! I would definitely try to stretch your budget for the Ryzen 5 5600; it's way better for gaming with more cache and support for modern PCIe. It'll really help in the long run with performance.
If you can, focus on the PSU, motherboard, and CPU first since they’re all on Amazon and need to be compatible with each other. Also, don't forget about cooling if you’re buying the CPU separately! Starting with these parts will really anchor your build.
Honestly, this looks solid for your budget! Just keep in mind, if you can, get a better CPU and motherboard for future upgrades. The Ryzen 5 5500 is okay, but look for something like an AM5 setup if possible, as those offer better long-term support. Also, check out used parts for the GPU to save some cash!
Thanks for the advice! I'm not really keen on used parts, but I appreciate the tip! What do you think is the best CPU upgrade from what I have?
Consider tweaking your choices just a bit. Switching to a higher quality PSU and maybe looking at different brands for the GPU could give you a better overall performance. If you can, check out the parts list I made here for a suggestion.
I’ll check out the 5600! Any suggestions on what parts I should prioritize buying first?