Budget Gaming PC?

Sporknite

Hello! This is my first time building a gaming PC and I have very little knowledge on how to build one. I did a little research and this is what I came up with:

Configure Your PC: https://www.microcenter.com/site/content/custom-pc-builder.aspx?load=5e6f86bd-8eef-437d-ba41-22c07a8b477d

CPU: (1) AMD Ryzen 5 3600 Matisse 3.6GHz 6-Core AM4 Boxed Processor - Wraith Stealth Cooler Included ($112.98 EACH)

Motherboard: (1) Gigabyte B450M DS3H WiFi AMD AM4 microATX Motherboard ($79.99 EACH)

RAM: (1) TeamGroup T-FORCE VULCAN Z 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR4-3200 PC4-25600 CL16 Dual Channel Desktop Memory Kit TLZGD416G3200H - Gray ($38.99 EACH)

Case: (1) Montech X1 Tempered Glass ATX Mid-Tower Computer Case - Black ($49.99 EACH)

Power Supply: (1) Thermaltake Smart Series 500 Watt 80 Plus ATX Non-Modular Power Supply ($41.99 EACH)

Video Card: (1) ASRock AMD Radeon RX 6600 Challenger D Dual-Fan 8GB GDDR6 PCIe 4.0 Graphics Card ($199.99 EACH)

M.2 / NVMe SSD: (1) Inland QN322 1TB SSD NVMe PCIe Gen 3.0x4 M.2 2280 3D NAND QLC Internal Solid State Drive ($43.99 EACH)

Total: $504.94

Generated by Micro Center https://www.microcenter.com (4/18/2023 7:46:11 PM)

(The CPU and the Motherboard are listed in a bundle here: https://www.microcenter.com/product/5006114/amd-ryzen-5-3600-with-wraith-stealth-cooler,-gigabyte-b450m-ds3h-wifi,-cpu-motherboard-combo)

Any thoughts on this build? Suggestions or recommendations?

My budget is $510 and I'm looking to run games at 1080p 60fps.

magarity

You've picked out a perfectly reasonable set of parts for that amount. As for 1080/60, that will depend on which game, and will vary from one game to another. Honestly, the only substitutions are going to add a little to the price. If you have another $15, the 5600 instead of the 3600 CPU will make a difference. There's an ASRock 520 chipset motherboard that costs about $15 less, you could get that and use the difference for the 5600.

Ian

The parts list is very solid for that price. If you want to get an idea of what FPS you'll get, you can look up the games you are interested in and look at benchmark reviews for the parts you're considering and that will give you a general idea of what to expect.

Sporknite

My friend just offered to lend his old Powercolor RX 570 4GB GPU to me. Should I take it and spend more money on the CPU and other components? I watched some reviews and it looks okay for the games that I would like to play (Valorant, CS:GO, Forza Horizon 5, Mircosoft Flight Sim 2020, etc.) I would like to know your thoughts on this.

magarity

Well the 570 is the absolute lowest you can go and still get MS Flight Sim to work, so don't expect much. But Valorant CS:GO and Forza has much more modest requirements and a 570 should be OK for them. I would firm up exactly how long this friend is willing to lend the thing, how reliable this friend is (won't change mind and want it back) and how long it would take to save up for a card of your own.

I would get the 520 chipset board, the 5600 (non-X) CPU and the rest of the parts as listed with the borrowed 570. In however many months (Black Friday maybe?) see what the prices are like. You might be able to get a 6600XT or 6700XT by then.