I'm building my first PC and it's currently priced at $1212.11 on PCPartPicker. I'm looking for ways to cut costs or optimize my build without sacrificing performance. Here's what I have so far:
- **CPU**: Intel Core i5-14600K 3.5 GHz 14-Core Processor
- **CPU Cooler**: ID-COOLING FROZN A620 PRO SE 58 CFM
- **Motherboard**: ASUS Prime B650 Plus (saved $10 from a Gigabyte board)
- **Memory**: Crucial Pro Overclocking 32 GB (2 x 16 GB) DDR5-6000 CL36
- **Storage**: Crucial T500 1 TB M.2 PCIe 4.0 NVME SSD
- **Video Card**: ASRock Challenger OC Radeon RX 9060 XT 16 GB
- **Case**: Fractal Design Focus 2 ATX Mid Tower
- **Power Supply**: Rosewill CMG850 850 W 80+ Gold Fully Modular
- **Monitor**: MSI G255PF E2 24.5" 1080p 180 Hz
I appreciate any suggestions or alternatives that could help me save some money!
2 Answers
Switching to AM5 might be the way to go for better pricing and future-proofing. Regarding RAM, CL36 isn't the best—aiming for CL30 to CL32 would improve performance. You'll probably want to add more fans since the build will run smoother with proper airflow. Your storage choice is solid, though!
You might want to consider switching to an AM5 platform instead of Intel. For a slight increase in CPU cost, like the Ryzen 7700X available for about $209 at Micro Center, you can save money on the motherboard, and you'll have a better upgrade path since Intel's with the 14600K feels pretty limited for future upgrades. Plus, the 7700X outperforms the 14600K for gaming!
Thanks for the input! I agree that the 7700X sounds like a great deal. I did read that it may have fewer E-cores, which could impact programming tasks. Still, I'll definitely consider the B650 board!
I’m still learning the ropes here. What do you mean by CL numbers? How do they affect the performance?