I'm new to PC gaming after years of using Apple devices and consoles, and I want a system that can handle games such as Red Dead Redemption 2 at 60 FPS or higher. My target resolution is 1080p to 1440p, and my budget is around $1,500 AUD.
I'm comparing two similarly priced systems. The custom build costs about $140 more but includes a Ryzen 5 5600, Radeon RX 9060 XT 16GB, 16GB of DDR4-3200 memory, a 650W Bronze power supply, and a 1TB NVMe SSD on a B550 motherboard. The other option is an HP Omen 16L with a Ryzen 5 8400F, RTX 5060 8GB, 16GB of DDR5-5200 memory in a single stick, a 1TB NVMe SSD, and a B650-based system.
DDR5 pricing in Australia is making AM4 systems more appealing, but I'm concerned about performance, upgradeability, and how well each graphics card will age. Which system would be the better choice for 1080p–1440p gaming at 60 FPS or above?
4 Answers
Before buying, compare independent game benchmarks rather than relying on generic FPS calculators. RAM capacity matters more than small speed differences for this setup, SSD speed mostly affects loading times, and cooling mainly affects temperatures and noise. If you can find a well-priced used or discounted AM5 system in Australia, it may be worth considering, but between these two options the custom build offers better gaming value.
The custom build is the stronger choice overall. The RX 9060 XT's 16GB of VRAM gives it more breathing room than the RTX 5060's 8GB, especially in newer games and at 1440p. The RTX card may have advantages for ray tracing, but the extra VRAM on the Radeon should help it remain useful for longer. The Ryzen 5 5600 is older, but it is still capable of 60 FPS gaming, and the standard B550 platform is easier to upgrade than the proprietary parts commonly used in HP systems.
Both systems should be capable of 1080p gaming at 60 FPS or better, and the custom system should also do well at 1440p with sensible settings. For Red Dead Redemption 2, check benchmarks using the exact CPU and GPU where possible, but the Ryzen 5 5600 should not be a major problem. Lowering a few demanding settings from ultra to high or medium can make a substantial difference.
The HP's 16GB of DDR5 is configured as one stick, so it will run in single-channel mode and may lose some performance. That could be fixed by adding a matching module, but the machine's proprietary motherboard, power supply, and case can make future upgrades more awkward. The custom build uses two memory sticks and standard components, making it the better long-term foundation despite being AM4.
That is what I'm leaning toward too. The HP's proprietary motherboard and power supply are worrying, and being limited to an 8GB graphics card seems likely to hurt its lifespan even though the platform is newer.