I'm planning to build my very first personal computer because my current setup, which I bought for around $1,000 during the pandemic, just can't run Windows 11 anymore. My budget is between $1,500 and $2,000 USD, and I live in the U.S.
This new PC will primarily be used for gaming, particularly for playing games like Fortnite, GTA 5/6 when it comes out, SMB3, and SnowRunner. I also want to livestream without dropping in-game frame rates. Plus, I need it to handle schoolwork, multitasking between multiple applications and a lot of browser tabs smoothly.
1 Answer
For 4K gaming within your budget, most of your cash should go into a solid GPU. I'd recommend aiming for at least an RTX 4070 Super or RX 7900 GRE to ensure good performance at 4K. Pair it with a Ryzen 7 7800X3D for optimal gaming, or consider a Ryzen 7 7700 or Intel i7-13700K for a balance between gaming and multitasking.
Also, go for 32GB of DDR5 RAM, a 1-2TB NVMe SSD, and a good 750-850W power supply. This setup will comfortably handle gaming, streaming, and schoolwork, but for the latest titles, you might still rely on upscaling instead of native 4K.
I’m still learning about PCs too. Do you think a 9070 would be a better fit for a tighter budget?