I recently spent a large chunk of my budget, about $375, on a fantastic deal for a Gigabyte Z790 UD AC motherboard paired with an Intel i7-14700KF processor, which I couldn't resist. My original budget was around $700, and now I'm left with roughly $325 to complete my build. I still need to get a GPU, RAM, an SSD or HDD, a PSU, and a case. I'm aiming for a temporary but reliable configuration that allows me to get my PC up and running smoothly without hitting the CPU's full potential for now. I plan to develop games using Unity and Godot, which involves compiling and multitasking, as well as playing AAA titles like Cyberpunk 2077 and Elden Ring, preferably at 1440p. I'm not looking for anything flashy—just the best performance per dollar since I already spent a lot on the CPU and motherboard. Can anyone recommend specific budget-friendly parts that won't bottleneck the processor too much? Also, are there any used market options I should consider or parts I should avoid?
3 Answers
You seem to have made a bold choice! Just be sure it's actually in mint condition as you were told. Make sure you’re clear on the specs. If you really think you scored, then maybe use PCPartPicker to see what's available that fits your remaining budget. Good luck!
You grabbed a used Intel Raptor Lake CPU and motherboard? That can be a gamble. Make sure everything checks out. I get the excitement, but you should be careful and maybe do a bit more research next time before making such a big decision. Check out PCPartPicker to help you find what you need.
Yeah, I totally get where you're coming from! Just make sure that everything works okay, and you might have saved a lot, but keep an eye on compatibility.
Honestly, you might be facing a tough challenge with that budget left. RAM prices have gone up, and getting everything you need for $325 is going to be tricky. You might want to check the used market for components. If I were in your shoes with $700 to spend overall, I would have opted for a Ryzen 5 5600 build instead for better balance. Here are some suggestions:
- Ryzen 5 5600 with cooler
- MSI B550M Pro motherboard
- Corsair LPX 32GB (3200/16) RAM
- MSI 3060 Ventus 12GB GPU
- Silicon Power UD90 1TB SSD
- Apevia Galaxy 650W 80 Gold PSU
- A Montech case
You can definitely find RAM at better prices to help you stick closer to your budget! This setup would give you decent performance without bottlenecking your CPU too much.
I hear you, picking parts can be a pain with prices fluctuating. But be careful with that AMD suggestion. If you like Intel's Raptor Lake, you can still make it work with a solid setup on a budget.
Thanks for the info! I feel pretty good about my deal, but I appreciate the caution! I'll keep checking parts.