I'm looking for some opinions on my first PC build. My main focus is whether the components I chose are suitable for a budget setup, and if they all work well together. PCPartPicker says they're compatible, so I'm hoping for some validation on that. I'm not a gamer, so it's mainly for office tasks and watching movies, with the occasional game like The Witcher 3 (totally a fan). I'm also planning to dual boot Windows and Linux, so if that affects my component choices, please let me know!
My budget is €800, and I'm choosing AM4 with a stock cooler. I haven't picked out a case yet, but I'm leaning towards a smaller option since I'm more focused on getting the right components. Here's what I have lined up:
**CPU:** AMD Ryzen 5 3600 3.6 GHz 6-Core Processor
**GPU:** Asus DUAL OC V2 GeForce RTX 3050 8GB
**Motherboard:** MSI B550M PRO-VDH WIFI Micro ATX AM4 Motherboard
**Memory:** G.Skill Trident Z Neo 32 GB (2 x 16 GB) DDR4-3000 CL16
**Storage:** Crucial P3 Plus 1 TB M.2-2280 PCIe 4.0 NVME SSD
**PSU:** Corsair CX (2023) 550 W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply
The total comes to around €639.97, and I plan to budget about €100 for a case and around €30 for fans, which should keep me within my €800 limit if I buy everything now.
1 Answer
Your CPU choice is solid! If you can, try to look for the Ryzen 3700X or 5600/5600X as they’re sometimes available for a similar price and offer better performance.
For the GPU, the 3050 isn't really the best bang for your buck. You might want to consider a 6700XT or 6750XT instead since they often go for around €200-250 and offer much better performance. Plus, since you're going with Linux, an AMD card avoids any hassle with NVIDIA drivers, which is a win.
Regarding the motherboard, I suggest checking out the ASRock B450M-HDV R4.0. It’s cheaper and might fit your needs better without extra features like Wi-Fi you may not need.
For memory, consider getting a 3200MHz kit instead. As for the PSU, I'd recommend a 650W or higher unit for better reliability. Check out reputable PSU tier lists for options. Finally, don’t forget to explore the used market—many are offloading AM4 parts for cheaper upgrades!
Thanks for the tips! I'll definitely consider swapping some parts, especially the GPU. The 6700XT and 6750XT seem hard to find here in Finland, though—they're over €400 at the two places I've checked. I’ll keep hunting for used options!