After using an Nvidia 3050 laptop with only 8GB of RAM for a few years, I've decided it's time to build my own gaming PC! However, I'm a complete newbie when it comes to PC parts and assembly. I'm hoping to create a system that can handle games like Minecraft with shaders, Geometry Dash, and just provide overall high performance and speed. I'd really prefer an Nvidia GPU, at least 16GB of RAM (since my laptop's 8GB drives me nuts), and something that'll last a few years. As for storage, I'm considering between one to two terabytes. I'm not quite sure what a reasonable budget would be, but I'm thinking around $1500 to $2500 AUD. I'd appreciate it if anyone could help me with a build plan! I already have peripherals like a good mouse, keyboard, and headphones. Just a heads up, I don't know the difference between CPU and GPU, so I appreciate any guidance! Thanks a lot!
4 Answers
To start, I recommend focusing on just the CPU and GPU for your build. If you're looking for ray tracing, consider the RTX 5070. For pure gaming performance, the RX 9070 is a great choice. For the CPU, the AMD Ryzen 7 7800X3D or the Ryzen 5 9600X are solid options to go with! These will give you a strong foundation for gaming and other tasks.
For your gaming PC, I'd go with the RTX 5070 for the GPU and the Ryzen 5700X CPU; also, a B550 motherboard will do well. Make sure to get at least 32GB of DDR4 RAM and a 1TB M.2 SSD for fast load times. As for the PSU, 650W should suffice, and find a case that allows good airflow—3 front fans should keep it cool! Don't forget to check out monitors; I found some nice 2K 27-inch Xiaomi monitors for about $150 in my area. Just keep in mind to do your research on monitors!
Honestly, for your budget, you could also opt for a prebuilt gaming PC. You can get a really solid setup for around $2500. I got a rig with a Ryzen 9 7900X and an Nvidia 4080 for a similar price—definitely worth considering if assembling one seems too daunting!
You can actually save some cash by going for budget-friendly options, especially since Minecraft and Geometry Dash don't require a super high-end PC. A Ryzen 5 9600X combined with an RX 9060 XT would work well, and it wouldn’t break the bank! I also made a build list for you over at PCPartPicker, totaling around $2178 AUD, which includes all the essential components!
That monitor suggestion might be tricky to fit in budget with the prices of RAM and GPU being so high these days. But good call on the performance focus!