Hey everyone,
I'm in the Netherlands and have put off building a gaming PC mainly because of GPU prices, and recently, it feels like RAM issues have emerged too. With prices seemingly getting worse, I've decided it's time to dive in and just build my setup.
I'm aiming for a decent entry-level build that I can upgrade gradually. My plan is to go with an AM5 platform while being cautious about GPU and RAM upgrades, hoping the market stabilizes in the next couple of years. I'm fine with 1080p gaming at 120Hz for now, but I do plan to upgrade to 1440p eventually.
Here's what I'm looking at so far, which is a budget-friendly configuration that covers the essentials:
1. **Processor (CPU)**: AMD Ryzen 5 7600X for €189.00
2. **Motherboard**: ASUS ROG STRIX B650E-F GAMING WIFI for €199.00
3. **Memory (RAM)**: Kingston DDR5 ValueRAM 1x16GB 5600 for €209.00
4. **Graphics Card (GPU)**: XFX Speedster Swft 210 Radeon RX 7600 8GB for €259.00
5. **Case**: Antec AX27 RGB Elite for €44.90
6. **Power Supply (PSU)**: Seasonic Core GX-650 (650W 80+ Gold) for €93.90
7. **CPU Cooler**: ARCTIC Freezer 8A for €19.90
8. **Storage (SSD)**: Lexar NM790 1TB M.2 SSD (PCIe 4.0 NVMe) for €119.90
**Total (excluding shipping costs): €1,134.60**
I've got two monitors and all my peripherals ready since I've used laptops for work. I'd love to hear your thoughts on my setup, especially since I'm still figuring this all out!
4 Answers
For the motherboard, you might get away with something cheaper. There are solid options for around €100. Just make sure you're not planning to fill all four RAM slots, as this can lead to issues with DDR5. Also, keep in mind that a PSU only delivers about 80-85% efficiency, so a higher wattage is good for some leeway.
Check out the comparisons between NVIDIA and AMD GPUs. If you're going for new games, AMD is usually fine, but some older titles can have bugs with AMD cards. It's all about doing a bit of research.
Your build looks mostly solid, but I recommend switching to dual-channel RAM. Having two sticks, rather than one, will give your AM5 CPU a notable performance boost. Also, consider upgrading your cooling solution since the 7600X can run hot. Everything else seems trustworthy and will allow for future upgrades.
You could definitely find better GPUs within your budget. The RX 7600 is a bit overvalued right now. Look into options like the B580 or 9060XT – they offer better performance at a similar price. Also, the B850 motherboard is newer and might save you some cash without sacrificing features.

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