My current PC is getting a little dated so I am looking to build something new. I am a bit out of the loop on what is best for price.
I have around $1,300 to spend.
New CPUs and GPUs imminent within a few months, maybe less.
What do you have right now?
i5-2500K
GeForce 1050
8 gb Memory
500 gb HDD
Need a full upgrade.
i’d wait. If you buy now you’ll be at the tail end of at least 1 year old tech.
Thanks!
I am going to buy now though. Anyone have any knowledge on what to buy with my budget?
Do you have a display and peripherals already? If so, what resolution and refresh?
If not, do you need them included in the $1300 budget?
Normally I’m all for buying when you want, but you should really wait rn; it would be foolish not to.
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If you must buy now and have no intent on upgrading within the next 2-3 years, and if budget does not include display/peripherals, this is my recommendation:
PCPartPicker Part List: https://pcpartpicker.com/list/4RRmb8
CPU: AMD Ryzen 7 3700X 3.6 GHz 8-Core Processor ($283.49 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: MSI MAG B550M BAZOOKA Micro ATX AM4 Motherboard ($133.98 @ Newegg)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws V 16 GB (2 x 8 GB) DDR4-3600 CL16 Memory ($75.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Sabrent Rocket 1 TB M.2-2280 NVME Solid State Drive ($149.97 @ Amazon)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda Compute 2 TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($54.99 @ Newegg)
Video Card: XFX Radeon RX 5700 XT 8 GB Triple Dissipation Video Card ($379.99 @ Amazon)
Case: Cooler Master MasterBox Q300L MicroATX Mini Tower Case ($49.99 @ Amazon)
Power Supply: Corsair CX (2017) 550 W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply ($74.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $1203.39
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2020-08-15 14:43 EDT-0400
You could drop $120 to a Ryzen 5 3600, but I think an 8 core is worthwhile moving into 2021.
You could drop down to a ~$100 QLC NVME SSD, like an Intel 660p or Crucial P1, and get pretty much the same gaming performance.
You can also swap out any case that you want. I just chose that one because it’s cheap.
You could add a CPU cooler if you want, but it’s not necessary unless you’re overclocking really.
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Intel/Nvidia option:
PCPartPicker Part List: https://pcpartpicker.com/list/LR6WHB
CPU: Intel Core i5-10600K 4.1 GHz 6-Core Processor ($279.99 @ Best Buy)
CPU Cooler: Scythe Ninja 5 43.03 CFM CPU Cooler ($59.99 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: Gigabyte Z490 UD ATX LGA1200 Motherboard ($147.49 @ B&H)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws V 16 GB (2 x 8 GB) DDR4-3600 CL16 Memory ($75.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Crucial P1 1 TB M.2-2280 NVME Solid State Drive ($104.99 @ Amazon)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda Compute 2 TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($54.99 @ Newegg)
Video Card: Gigabyte GeForce RTX 2060 SUPER 8 GB WINDFORCE OC Video Card ($399.99 @ Newegg)
Case: Cougar MX330-G ATX Mid Tower Case ($51.98 @ B&H)
Power Supply: Corsair CX (2017) 650 W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply ($85.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $1261.40
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2020-08-15 14:53 EDT-0400
Note: you’re dropping down to a 6/12 chip, but it will be faster at gaming and the 8-core won’t fit in your budget.
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Griefs thinks you should wait! 
Wait a sec … he’s literally a professor and gives sound, logic based advice… 
In all seriousness, if you can wait even until the Black Friday sales in November you should. I bought my current rig last November and paid less than $800 for parts that would be $1,200 today. Even if you’re not waiting for the next generation this is good advice.
If you really can’t/won’t wait then Sal’s builds are both good.
How about a 3600 build Sal?
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Agreed. Thanks!
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already included the consideration for it in my post.
Like truth-telling, reading comprehension is not his strong point
Oops! Skimming instead of reading… My mistake - good advice all around in both posts.
We can all turn corners, my friend! This new generation of Intel and the coming improvements to the manufacturing process looks promising! But I don’t want to hijack this thread to discuss. And I did think your advice to wait was good advice!
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Yeah, that’s why you posted like this:
Color me so skeptical that you’re back on ignore. Don’t know how you got off in the first place, tbh.
now now boys
lets not scare away the OP
I was trying to be friendly! I even acknowledged the fact that his advice (much like yours, Sal) tends to be logic based and sound. Things are really looking up for Intel and Nvidia which is a win for consumers - I would think that’s something everyone could agree on!
One thing we did not ask the OP is if they are set on doing everything at once. Particularly with how promising the next generation of Nvidia cards look.
Are you set on doing the whole rig at once OP?
Theoretically, they could get a placeholder CPU and then upgrade later…but I am hesitant to recommend this route since it’s usually a net loss financially, and given they are still on a 2500k I doubt they intend to upgrade frequently.
It would help to know what other tasks the user wants to do on this PC, so that we can have a better idea of what to recommend.
Terrible idea, IMO. Almost as dumb as going from, say, a 9900k to a 10700k or an 1800x to a 2700x
Just wait a little bit longer, OP. Or get one of the builds Sal posted.
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Yep, as I said it’s almost always a loss and gains aren’t worthwhile.
But who am I to argue with the hordes of people who do it all the time.
Not pointing fingers at anyone.
Especially not AMD users. Of course not.
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