First Build (Budget <$850) should I go for higher graphics card and CPU?

Kael

CPU- AMD RYZEN 5500

MOTHERBOARD- ASUS PRIME B550M-A WIFI II MicroATX AM4

MEMORY- CORSAIR VENGEANCE LPX 16 GB

STORAGE- WESTERN DIGITAL BLUE SN570 500 GB

VIDEO CARD- POWERCOLOR FIGHTER RADEON RX 6500XT 4 GB

CASE- LIAN LI LANCOOL 205M MESH MicroATX Mid Tower

POWER SUPPLY- THERMALTAKE SMART 500W 80+

OPERATING SYSTEM- MICROSOFT WINDOWS 10 HOME 64 BIT

(No monitors or KBM yet until I figure out the PC but I would probably pair this with a 1080p 144hz-170hz monitor)

Connorcade

A 5600X might have better long term value as a CPU over the 5500, but that's just my opinion. What kind of games are you trying to play?

Kael

https://community.microcenter.com/discussion/comment/54830#Comment_54830

I’m probably going to use it for small games like Minecraft, roblox, fortnite, nothin too crazy but when it comes to fortnite I want to have good FPS and make sure I have enough stuff to stream it. I’m not going for insane graphics or 0 ping and other fancy stuff, I just want a simple build that can last a good while. :)

magarity

OK so the 6500XT 4GB can play Minecraft, Roblox, Fortnite just fine, but please get a CPU that is rated to PCIe 4.0 bus such as the 5600 or 5600X. This is because the 6500XT is a 4 lane card. Dropping to PCIe 3 speed really kills its performance, as much as 40% less. This article from Tom's Hardware explains: https://www.tomshardware.com/news/rx-6500-xt-pcie-gen3-gen4-tested So, definitely get a 5600 instead of a 5500 CPU. The 5600 (non-X) is the lowest cost AM4 CPU that supports PCIe 4. Also, keep that B550 chipset motherboard. The less expensive 520 and 450 do not support PCIe 4.

Power supply: The Thermaltake Smart is a terrible power supply. Please choose from this list, anything rated C ("budget" but OK) or better: https://cultists.network/140/psu-tier-list/ Notice the Thermaltake Smart 80+ is graded 'F" ("Replace immediately")

One last note about your list, is that 16GB a kit of 2x 8GB? Ryzen CPU needs dual channel for good performance. So only get a two module kit and make sure to install them in the correct slots for dual channel (see the motherboard manual).

Kael

https://community.microcenter.com/discussion/comment/54854#Comment_54854

Thank you so much, it’s been a while and I never even considered checking the power supply grade since I just saw the 80+ and went with it, I switched motherboards to the MSI B550 VC pro wifi, technically the same as the other one but I saw better reviews and more preference on it than my original choice. I also did decide to get a Ryzen 5600x after checking some bottleneck websites and seeing gameplay videos with it.