Question Gaming PC

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vidmk

Junior Member
Jan 15, 2024
2
1
36
I am new to building gaming PCs and trying to build one for my kid. Here is the configuration of the PC.


Here are the details on the PC and would need input on the configuration.

1. What YOUR PC will be used for.
Gaming

2. What YOUR budget is.
2000-2200

3. What country YOU will be buying YOUR parts from.
USA

4. IF you're buying parts OUTSIDE the US, please post a link to the vendor you'll be buying from.
N/A

5. IF YOU have a brand preference.
No CPU preference, AMD for GPU

6. If YOU intend on using any of YOUR current parts, and if so, what those parts are.
No

7. IF YOU plan on overclocking or run the system at default speeds.
Default

8. What resolution, not monitor size, will you be using?
2k

9. WHEN do you plan to build it?
Within a month

10. Do you need to purchase any software to go with the system, such as Windows or Blu Ray playback software?
Windows 11 Home

PC is going to be used for only single player games like Red Dead Redemption 2, Witcher 3, Baldur's Gate 3. Would the PC power be excessive for these games? Also any alternative choices for the parts at lower cost?
 
T

Tech Junky

Diamond Member
Jan 27, 2022
3,825
1,343
106
Have you looked at AMD for the CPU at all? With the new gen around the corner there are some decent deals floating around on occasion.

As for the gaming side maybe look at the ARC GPUs to shave a few hundred off.

For the M2 drive maybe pare it down to 1TB and grab a U.3 for more storage for le$$. I picked up a U.3 Kioxia for ~$1000 but, it's a 16TB drive at 6.5GB/s which smashes the glass ceiling M2's have of 8TB. You can find lower 8TB capacities though for ~$400 or less depending on the day.

I have the PA120 and it gets the job done w/ an AMD 7900X. The FD Meshify is a good case and has ton of drive mounts if you get into storage. If not then look at the FD Torrent as it has 2x180 fans in the front which keeps things quiet and moves a ton of air. There's room for additional fans on the bottom if you need more intake.

Intel just doesn't feel like a good value right now though IMO. I has a 12700K setup until switching over to AMD so, I'm familiar with their current offerings.

https://pcpartpicker.com/list/ZTQFHG -- this knocks off ~$400 which leaves room for a U drive for games / storage

The key will be hunting for deals though or open boxes. I did my AMD build for ~$800 originally before adding the $100 GPU for transcoding and the U drive to go all SSD from a Raid setup of 5 HDDs. If you shop around you can likely knock down the costs another $100 or more.
 
M

manly

Lifer
Jan 25, 2000
13,134
3,902
136
Welcome to the forums!

If you're near a Micro Center, consider one of their bundle deals (AMD AM5 or Intel).
Unless you know for certain you're doing a lot of multi-core processing, that CPU is probably overkill. But given the budget, that's OK.

I believe the Crucial P3 Plus is fine, but others have noted that it is somewhat of a budget drive to be avoided. There are better drives to be had for a $2k build, and you can step down to 2TB if you need to shave a bit of cost.

I'd want a better PSU, something fully modular and more efficient. If you want to stick with Corsair, RM750x is great.
Amazon has another good option for $95:
Amazon - be quiet! Pure Power 12 M 750W

I'd save some money on the Windows license, for example:
slickdeals.net

Microsoft Windows 10 Home $20 or Pro $25 (Digital Download)

Woot! has Microsoft Windows 10 Home for $19.99. Digital Download. Also Available: Windows 10 Pro $24.99 (Digital Download) Windows 10 If your setup meets the minimum hardware requirement to ...
slickdeals.net slickdeals.net

I would not drop down to Intel ARC for 1440p gaming (that's terrible advice); although I'd wait a bit to see how AMD reacts to Nvidia's recent GPU launches/pricing.
 
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In2Photos

In2Photos

Platinum Member
Mar 21, 2007
2,497
2,724
136
Welcome to the forums!

With that budget you should be able to build an excellent PC! While the 13600K you have in the build is certainly no slouch for gaming I would opt for the AMD 7800X3D. It is currently the best gaming CPU on the market and is within your budget. It also is on the AM5 platform which is only in its first generation so there will be more CPUs released in the future that you can use in the system, whereas the 13600K is on a dead platform. Your only upgrade path would be 14th gen which had minimal gains compared to 13th gen. So if you decide to upgrade the CPU in a few years you would also need a new motherboard.

I think the rest of your build is OK for the most part. A lot of the parts you choose after the CPU and PSU are very user dependent. You'll want to pick items that suit your specific needs, like a certain number of USB ports or a particular style or something especially the case. I did a build for you using similar components but changed a few to stay within your budget while also selecting some other options in places where I felt your money would be better spent. I opted for an 850W PSU to provide a little more headroom for your build but also for an upgrade or two down the road. As manly said above don't spend full price for Win 11.

 
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V

vidmk

Junior Member
Jan 15, 2024
2
1
36
Thanks a lot for all the replies.

Based on your inputs i am now thinking of going with updated config below.


I am planning to buy most of the parts from Micro Center. Does anyone know of any deals offered during end of Jan/early Feb? If not I am planning to buy in next 1 week.

Thanks again for help so far.
 
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M

manly

Lifer
Jan 25, 2000
13,134
3,902
136
Micro Center has a Ryzen 7 7800X3D bundle deal, but sometimes the motherboard is out of stock:


You can reserve the kit online, then go into the store to pay. Official store policy is that you cannot return part of the bundle (let's say you don't like the motherboard), but some store managers are easier than others.

Edit:
I'd add that ideally you'd spend closer to $520 for the 7800 XT. I'm not willing to pay the Nvidia tax at this time, but you could make a good case for the new GeForce 4070 Super at the $599 price point. You'll get superior ray tracing and DLSS.
 
Last edited:
Brainonska511

Brainonska511

Lifer
Dec 10, 2005
28,009
12,590
136
You could go with something like this: https://pcpartpicker.com/list/PXBjL9

Some changes I made/suggestions:
  • Go with an AMD system - more room for potential CPU upgrades in the future, and the 7800X3D is basically the best gaming CPU on the market right now
  • The 7800x3D will also run cooler than the 13600K
  • The memory/processor/board combo can be had at a local Micro Center, if it's in stock, for around $500, so a little bit better pricing than what my PCPartPicker link shows.
  • Go with a smaller NVME drive for your boot and key programs - 1-2 TB is fine. Look for a TLC drive over a QLC drive.
  • If you need additional storage, you can always add more NVME drives (and for this, QLC could be OK) or throw in a traditional SATA III SSD.
  • Plenty of choices for the 7800XT - the Hellhound is a little cheaper and has been noted for being one of the coolest-running in the series
  • Case: obviously your choice - just picked a different one to cut $80+. Though, if you get the 4000D, you may want to add in 2-3 120 mm fans to fill the front intake and add a top exhaust; then you can run everything nice and slow to keep it quiet
  • PSU - jump up to the RM series from Corsair. Good to have a high quality PSU, and it doesn't cost substantially more.
  • Re: Windows Keys - nothing wrong with getting a genuine retail key. I would avoid grey market keys that are almost certainly violating the terms of the Microsoft licensing and could one day face a future key ban
 
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