I'm in the process of deciding whether to build my own PC or buy one that's prebuilt. I'm leaning toward building it myself, but I'm a bit lost on what specs to aim for. It's been over five years since I last shopped for a rig, so I really don't know what the best options are for quality hardware nowadays. I'm hoping to get recommendations on specs and any tips for someone who's building their first PC. Just to give you an idea, my budget is around $2000 to $2500, but I'd like to spend less if possible. I want to be able to play games at least at 50-60 fps. Thanks for any help you can provide!
2 Answers
First off, you need to decide on your gaming resolution: is it 1080p, 1440p, or 4K? That will really influence your choice of specs. For a smooth gaming experience, especially at 60 fps, I’d recommend at least a high-end CPU like the AMD Ryzen 5 5600X or Intel i5-12600K, paired with an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060 or 3070 for the GPU. And don't forget a good power supply—around 650W should do, along with at least 16 GB of RAM. Regarding storage, a mix of SSD for the OS and a large HDD for games is a good combo!
Since you mentioned you're not very picky, I'd suggest aiming for a 1440p build for better visuals. Try looking into the AMD Ryzen 7 5800X along with an RTX 3060 Ti. Also, if cooling is a concern, consider getting a good cooler and maybe even some case fans. It will help with longevity and performance!
Yeah, the cooling is underrated! Also, make sure to research the case for sufficient airflow. A good case can make a huge difference in keeping everything cool.
Definitely agree with the GPU choice! And for RAM, you might want to go for 32 GB if you're planning on multitasking or streaming while gaming. It'll give you more leeway in performance.