I'm looking to give my son's PC a nice little upgrade. He's a light gamer, and we're hoping to keep the costs for a new CPU, motherboard, and RAM at around $200 or less. We're considering the Ryzen 5 5500, MSI B450M-A, and 32GB of RAM, which we found in a combo deal for $198.
We currently have a Ryzen 5 2600, an ASRock B450M PRO4 motherboard, and 16GB of RAM. I could stick with the current motherboard, but the combo seems like a good deal to get more power with better RAM.
What do you all think about this setup? Does it look solid for gaming? Thanks for your input!
5 Answers
I found a deal that’s $20 cheaper for similar items. You might want to check this out: [link](https://pcpartpicker.com/list/fYzjKX). Just keep in mind that it’s for 16GB RAM, not 32GB like your combo. Let me know if you see anything worth changing in this build!
That power supply seems overkill for what you're building. A solid 500-550W PSU would work just fine and save you some cash. Just make sure to get at least a 5600 instead of the 5500. And consider a decent aftermarket cooler instead of sticking with the stock one. It'll be better for long-term use!
Honestly, if you're on a budget, I'd suggest checking out some used parts. You might want to consider the Ryzen 5 5600 instead. The 5500 is a bit of a downgrade compared to the 5600. Plus, it might hold back your RTX 2060 performance.
Also, used CPUs can stretch your budget further. Can't go wrong there!
Thanks for the suggestion! Do you think the 5500 will bottleneck the RTX 2060 compared to sticking with the 2600?
Good call on used CPUs. Might find better options!
I’m curious why you’re so focused on replacing the motherboard. If you're just having issues, maybe just throw a 5600 into your existing one? Just a thought!
You make a point! The motherboard has had problems, which is why I considered the upgrade. But you're right, maybe I should focus just on the CPU.
Yeah, if the mobo is acting up, definitely update the BIOS and pop in a 5600. Could save you some cash!
That combo looks like a great deal! Given that your son is a light gamer, I wouldn't overthink this too much. If you're also looking to make some money back, the old parts could help fund a new project!
Thanks for that! I noticed the RAM difference. Any issues with that build, or changes you'd suggest to keep costs low?