I've wanted to build a gaming PC for a long time, but I'm completely new to choosing components and don't have a case or any parts yet. I'd like to play Persona 5 Royal and Cyberpunk 2077 with comfortable graphics and performance. My total budget is around $3,000, although I'd prefer not to spend all of it if I can get a system that leaves room for future upgrades. A standard-size case is fine. What parts would you recommend, and are there any important compatibility issues or beginner mistakes I should watch out for?
4 Answers
Prices for memory and storage can change, so it may be worth comparing several retailers and waiting for a good deal if you aren’t in a hurry. Don’t cut costs on the power supply, and avoid buying parts before checking that the motherboard, case, cooler, and graphics card all fit together. Overclocking is optional and usually isn’t necessary for a first build.
Before choosing exact parts, decide what resolution and refresh rate you want, such as 1080p, 1440p, or 4K. Cyberpunk is much more demanding than Persona 5 Royal, so your target resolution will determine the graphics card you need. A balanced 1440p-focused build should be more than enough while leaving money available for future upgrades.
You don’t need an extreme flagship CPU for gaming. Put more of the budget toward the graphics card, since it has the biggest effect on Cyberpunk’s visual settings and frame rate. Start with 32GB of RAM and a 2TB SSD unless your game library is small. Also remember to budget for Windows, a monitor, keyboard, mouse, and possibly extra case fans if those aren’t already included.
With a budget around $3,000, you can build a very strong system for these games without needing to spend every dollar. A sensible starting point would be a modern Ryzen 7 or Ryzen 9 processor, a quality air cooler, 32GB of DDR5-6000 memory, a 2TB NVMe SSD, and a current upper-midrange graphics card such as a Radeon RX 9070 XT or comparable GeForce model. Pair it with a reliable 750W or 850W Gold-rated power supply and a well-ventilated ATX or mid-tower case. A parts-list site can help check compatibility before ordering.
I’m fine with a normal mid-tower case. I’d definitely prefer a slightly cheaper build if it still runs both games well, since I may upgrade individual parts later.