PC Building Community

Hey everyone,

I'm looking to build a new PC that can handle modern gaming at 1080p or 1440p with good frame rates, while also being capable for some light productivity tasks like video editing and streaming. My budget is around $800-$1000.

The main challenge is always finding that sweet spot where you get the most bang for your buck. I've been doing some research, and here's what I'm currently considering:

• CPU: AMD Ryzen 5 5600 or Intel Core i5-12400F
• GPU: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060/3060 Ti or AMD Radeon RX 6600 XT/6700 XT
• RAM: 16GB DDR4 (3200MHz or 3600MHz)
• Storage: 1TB NVMe SSD
• Motherboard: B550 for AMD, B660 for Intel
• PSU: 650W 80+ Bronze or Gold

I'm torn between the AMD and Intel platforms. The Ryzen 5 5600 seems to offer great value, but the 12400F is also very competitive, especially with motherboards sometimes being cheaper. For the GPU, the RTX 3060 Ti or RX 6700 XT would be ideal for 1440p, but they often push the budget. Is the RTX 3060 or RX 6600 XT a significant compromise for 1440p gaming?

I'm also curious about how much of a difference faster RAM makes in this price bracket, and if 16GB is truly enough for future-proofing, or if 32GB is worth the extra cost now.

What are your thoughts on these components? Any specific recommendations for maximizing performance without breaking the bank? I'm open to alternative suggestions!

Thanks in advance!

Hey BuildMaster99,

Great thread topic! Balancing performance and budget is the eternal struggle for PC builders.

For your CPU/Motherboard dilemma: The Ryzen 5 5600 is an excellent choice and often hits a fantastic price point. The accompanying B550 boards are also usually very reasonably priced and offer great features. The 12400F is also solid, but ensure the B660 boards you're looking at aren't significantly more expensive, as that can eat into your GPU budget.

Regarding GPUs for 1440p: The RTX 3060 Ti and RX 6700 XT are definitely the sweet spot for 1440p gaming in your budget range. While the RTX 3060 and RX 6600 XT can do 1440p, you'll likely be looking at turning down settings in more demanding titles, especially for refresh rates above 60Hz. If 1440p is a high priority, try to stretch for the 3060 Ti or 6700 XT if possible. Keep an eye out for sales!

RAM: 16GB is still generally sufficient for most gaming and general use. However, if you plan on heavy multitasking, streaming while gaming, or doing more intensive video editing, 32GB is becoming increasingly beneficial. For the Ryzen 5 5600, 3600MHz CL16 RAM often provides a noticeable performance uplift due to Ryzen's sensitivity to RAM speed. For Intel, 3200MHz CL16 is usually the sweet spot.

SSD: 1TB NVMe is perfect. Don't cheap out on the SSD; it makes a huge difference in load times.

PSU: 650W is a good minimum for the GPUs you're considering, especially if you opt for the 3060 Ti or 6700 XT. Going Gold efficiency isn't strictly necessary but is a nice-to-have for efficiency and potentially longer lifespan.

My recommendation: If you can snag a Ryzen 5 5600 with a B550 board, 16GB of 3600MHz CL16 RAM, and squeeze in an RX 6700 XT or RTX 3060 Ti, you'll have a phenomenal 1440p machine within your budget. If not, the RTX 3060 12GB is still a very capable 1080p card that can handle some 1440p with tweaked settings.

Good luck with the build!

BuildMaster99, I faced a similar dilemma! I went with the Ryzen 5 5600. The value is just too good to pass up. I paired it with a Gigabyte B550 Aorus Elite, which was around $130 and has excellent features.

For the GPU, I managed to find an RX 6700 XT on sale for $320. It absolutely crushes 1440p in most games at high settings. If you can find one in your budget, go for it. Otherwise, the RTX 3060 12GB is a solid choice for 1080p, and it does perform admirably at 1440p in less demanding titles.

I opted for 16GB of G.Skill Ripjaws V 3600MHz CL18 RAM. While CL16 is ideal, CL18 was significantly cheaper and the performance difference wasn't a dealbreaker for me at this budget. 16GB has been fine for my gaming and occasional OBS streaming.

For storage, a Crucial P3 Plus 1TB NVMe was a great budget option. Fast enough for daily use and gaming.

My PSU is a Corsair CX650M (semi-modular) 650W 80+ Bronze. Plenty of power and reliability.

My total build came in at ~$950. The key is patience and watching for deals!