I'm looking to create a budget Steam Machine from some old parts I've collected. I've got an MSI B550 motherboard that supports AMD and I'll be using 16GB of DDR4 RAM. I'm reusing a 600W power supply from a desktop I built about 10 years ago, and it's still working well. Can anyone recommend an affordable AMD processor? Also, I'm thinking about getting a 3070 TI for my graphics card, but I'm open to other cost-effective options. I'm not expecting top-tier performance, as I'm fine with running games at 1440p since this isn't my primary gaming setup—my PS5 is. I enjoy open-world action games and I'm interested in modding, especially the full conversion mod for Star Wars in Starfield and the Game of Thrones mod for M&;B Bannerlord II. Thanks for your help!
5 Answers
What’s your budget for the CPU and GPU combo? If you’re looking at around $250, that’s pretty tight. Could you find a good deal on a Ryzen 5500 and pair it with a RX6600? That would keep your wallet happy!
Good call on being patient! Checking places like Facebook Marketplace could lead you to some great deals.
For a budget CPU, I’d recommend the Ryzen 5500. It’s inexpensive but performs well. For the GPU, consider something like the 3060 or RX 6600—they're good options without breaking the bank.
Yeah, the 5500 is a solid choice for the price! If you can find the 5600X at a good deal, it’s even better, but it’s almost double the price for a slight performance boost.
If you’re gearing up for a Steam Machine, definitely consider an AMD GPU instead of Nvidia. SteamOS doesn't really play well with Nvidia. But if you're going with a 3070ti because of a great deal, that's okay too! Just make sure your gaming experience is smooth with your chosen OS.
I hear you, I’m set on the 3070ti too because my buddy's offering it at a killer price! I plan to use Bazzite, which I've heard has good Nvidia support.
That makes sense! Bazzite could potentially give you the Nvidia support you need, just keep in mind that it may not match the level of AMD support.
For an even cheaper setup, keep an eye out for a Ryzen 5600X. I got mine on sale for around $70, but prices do vary.
Make sure to select components that all fit in your case. For example, a Micro ATX motherboard should do the trick, just check that everything aligns for easy setup.
I’m flexible with the budget. I can wait to snag a decent deal, maybe go for that 3070ti my friend mentioned.