Hey everyone! I'm super excited about my first PC build! My budget is around $2000 CAD, and I'm aiming for a setup that can handle chatting on Discord while playing games like Old School RuneScape (OSRS) with HD plugins, Civilization V, or Minecraft with some performance-enhancing mods. I also plan on juggling a few tabs in Firefox and using dual monitors.
I'm having trouble finding the specific RAM I'd like to use on PCPartPicker, so I'll drop a link here: [G.Skill TridentZ RGB Series 32GB DDR4-3200](https://www.newegg.ca/g-skill-tridentz-rgb-series-32gb-ddr4-3200-cas-latency-cl16-desktop-memory-black/p/N82E16820232748?item=N82E16820232748).
Here's my PCPartPicker list: [Build List](https://pcpartpicker.com/list/QjQD3R)
| Type | Item | Price |
|:----|:----|:----|
| **CPU** | [Intel Core i5-12600K 3.7 GHz 10-Core Processor](https://pcpartpicker.com/product/BB4Ycf/intel-core-i5-12600k-37-ghz-6-core-processor-bx8071512600k) | $185.49 @ Amazon |
| **CPU Cooler** | [Cooler Master Hyper 212 (2023)](https://pcpartpicker.com/product/dF3NnQ/cooler-master-hyper-212-2023-707-cfm-cpu-cooler-rr-s4kk-25sn-r1) | $25.99 @ Amazon |
| **Motherboard** | [MSI PRO B760M-P Micro ATX](https://pcpartpicker.com/product/k7XV3C/msi-pro-b760m-p-micro-atx-lga1700-motherboard-pro-b760m-p) | $99.99 @ MSI |
| **Storage** | [Western Digital WD_Black SN850X 1 TB NVMe SSD](https://pcpartpicker.com/product/DyhFf7/western-digital-wd_black-sn850x-1-tb-m2-2280-pcie-40-x4-nvme-solid-state-drive-wds100t2x0e) | $234.00 @ Amazon |
| **Video Card** | [MSI SHADOW 2X OC GeForce RTX 5060](https://pcpartpicker.com/product/Xwkqqs/msi-shadow-2x-oc-geforce-rtx-5060-8-gb-video-card-rtx-5060-8g-shadow-2x-oc) | $359.99 @ Amazon |
| **Case** | [NZXT H6 Flow ATX Mid Tower](https://pcpartpicker.com/product/xgKscf/nzxt-h6-flow-atx-mid-tower-case-cc-h61fb-01) | $99.97 @ Amazon |
| **Power Supply** | [Corsair RM850e (2025) 850 W Fully Modular](https://pcpartpicker.com/product/zBbypg/corsair-rm850e-2025-850-w-fully-modular-atx-power-supply-cp-9020296-na) | $119.99 @ B&H |
| **Operating System** | [Microsoft Windows 11 Home](https://pcpartpicker.com/product/dKkWGX/microsoft-windows-11-home-oem-dvd-64-bit-kw9-00633) | $109.99 @ Newegg |
| **Case Fans** | [Phanteks M25-120 PWM D-RGB](https://pcpartpicker.com/product/2jjBD3/phanteks-m25-120-pwm-d-rgb-8426-cfm-120-mm-fan-ph-f120m25_drgb_pwm_bk01) | - |
| **Case Fans** | [Phanteks M25G2-120 D-RGB 3-Pack](https://pcpartpicker.com/product/whgZxr/phanteks-m25g2-120-d-rgb-7272-cfm-120-mm-fans-3-pack-ph-f120m25_g2_dbk01-_3p) | $36.99 @ Amazon |
**Total: $1272.40** (Prices include all shipping, taxes, rebates, and discounts)
5 Answers
Just a heads up, you shouldn't have to buy Windows 11 OEM; there are legal ways to get it for free! Also, Newegg has some nice SSD and PSU combos that can save you cash. I'd also look at the RAM compatibility since you picked a DDR5 board. Plus, check for slightly older but powerful GPUs that might give you better value for performance!
I think your build looks great! But personally, I'd go with an AMD setup. Here’s a suggestion for your parts: [Sample Build](https://ca.pcpartpicker.com/list/ZXQD3R). This includes a Ryzen 7 5800XT and a better GPU at a competitive price. Trust me, you’ll see a notable difference! Also, consider early AM5 platforms if you ever want to future-proof your setup!
You might want to opt for a motherboard that's more suited for the 12600K; the current one has weaker VRMs. Plus, check reviews on your case because airflow can impact thermal performance. If you aim for high performance, consider other PSU options too, as the one you picked can be a bit pricey for what you need!
When building your PC, I recommend allocating about 40% of your budget to the GPU. With a $2000 CAD budget, an $800 GPU makes sense. I’d go for something like the RX 9070 or even get a used higher-up model. Here's an improved build I whipped up: [New Build List](https://ca.pcpartpicker.com/list/R3rrH3). You’ll get way more bang for your buck that way!
If you can stretch your budget slightly, you could upgrade to the 9070, which is a beast of a card!
Hey there! I’d recommend upgrading to the RTX 5060 Ti if you can—it's a solid jump in performance. Those extra frames will be great, especially with the games you're playing! Good luck with your build!
Thanks a ton for the suggestion! After chatting with some friends who know their stuff better than I do, I think I’ll try your second build!