Building a New Gaming PC - Budget $2,200

ThriftyGuy on 15/06/2022 - 14:36
Last edited 15/06/2022 - 14:46 by 1 other user

Hi All,

I can't remember the last time I've had a desktop PC, it would have been before 2010. I'm looking to build a new gaming PC with a budget of around $2200 (low $2000). I'm taking the next step and going from console (PS5) to PC. I'll be mainly playing FPS games maybe some RTS games. I mainly play BF2042 and BFV at the moment.

I did consider AMD 5800x chipset and motherboard build but for less than $100 I could get a newer CPU and slightly faster DDR5 RAM.

These are the specs I was considering:

Intel Build:
CPU: Intel i7-12700KF
CPU Cooling: Cool Master Liquid Cooler V2 RGB
Motherboard: MSI PRO Z690-A DDR5
RAM: Crucial 16 GB (2 x 8 GB) DDR5-4800 CL40
GPU: MSI RX 6700 XT
HDD: 1 TB 970 EVO Plus
PSU: MSI MPG A650GF 650W 80+ Gold Fully Modular
Case: Cool Master MasterBox MB520
Total: $2112

AMD Build:
CPU: AMD Ryzen 7 5800x
CPU Cooling: Cool Master Liquid Cooler V2 RGB
Motherboard: GIGABYTE X570S AORUS ELITE AX
RAM: Patriot Viper Steel DDR4 16GB (2x8GB) 4400MHz
GPU: MSI RX 6700 XT
HDD: 1 TB 970 EVO Plus
PSU: MSI MPG A650GF 650W 80+ Gold Fully Modular
Case: Cool Master MasterBox MB520
Total: $2015

Let me know of your suggestions and/or tips on how I can better spec my build for the price. Like I said I haven't built a PC for a while nor have I owned one recently.
I am looking at eBay for used RX 6700 XT as there have been an influx recently.

Then after, I suppose I'll need to pair with other gaming peripherals, mouse/keyboard and a decent monitor.

Computing Computer Desktop Computer

Comments

  • bargainy on 15/06/2022 - 16:20

    5600x with stock cooler, 550W ps, b550m

    • ThriftyGuy on 15/06/2022 - 19:01

      Wouldn't the i7 yield better FPS? Or even the 5800X

    • CodeExplode on 16/06/2022 - 03:29

      I have a 550w PSU and it's making me nervous when eying sales on beefy GPUs, especially since I have a few harddrives (not that they'll likely ever all be in use at the same time as the CPU+GPU). In retrospect I wish I'd gone a bit higher for safer wiggle room.

  • solidussnake on 15/06/2022 - 19:47

    Wouldn't something like this be better for gaming ? When it goes on sale again ? How's DDR5 going to be better for gaming ?

    https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/696921

    • ThriftyGuy on 16/06/2022 - 11:28

      Having looked at test results, the general consensus is that a faster CPU will yield better FPS. Also, generally faster RAM also yields better FPS according to tests. But it seems atm faster M.2 Gen4 SSDs don't necessary have significantly faster game load times. I was looking to purchase Samsung 980 Pro 1 TB and was put of by the small load time differences with other SSDs affordable M.2s

      • Kenada on 17/06/2022 - 16:58

        Hey Mate,

        Im have been looking at the 980 pro and WD850 black I think it was.
        What made you decide to go for something else?

        Please let me know as the prices on the above 2 aren't great currently.

        • ThriftyGuy on 19/06/2022 - 15:43

          Well it was basically the pricing, yes the 980 Pro does have read speeds of around 7000 MB/s, but have a search of test results done in gaming there was not that much difference giving the price range. I think atm PC gaming are not utilising the full potential of the Gen 4 M.2 drives as they are only marginally faster than Gen 3. A 980 Pro costs around 200+ mark and the one I'm considering atm is the 970 EVO plus which I can pick up for 139.

      • SleepingBanana on 18/06/2022 - 22:41

        you wouldn't tell the differnce between 100fps and 110fps while busy aiming enemies in the game, but allocate some money from CPU into GPU would make your PC able to play games at acceptable fps for more years

        • ThriftyGuy on 19/06/2022 - 15:46
          +1

          Agreed, I'm now considering an i5-12600K, noting that you don't really need an i7 as the latest Gen i5 is a good value proposition for gaming.

          • SleepingBanana on 23/06/2022 - 00:19

            @ThriftyGuy: Just out of curiosity, why did you choose amd gpu instead of nv. When I picked my rigs (AMD 5600x + 3080 combo) based on my philosophy that games usually need more gpu power and RTX has DLSS feature that boosts fps little bit higher when needed. Happy to know other’s thoughts.

            • ThriftyGuy on 23/06/2022 - 10:30

              @SleepingBanana: Price mainly, don't care too much for ray tracing at the expense of fps. AMD cards have finally dropped below MSRP, NVIDIA still haven't. DLSS is a nice feature but not a deal breaker for me. For around 500 dollars I don't think I'll find a used RTX 3070 soon, however, I can pick up a RX 6700 XT on eBay. Nvidia cards are still too pricey atm. I don't want to pay MSRP for a card that came out 18 months ago.

              I maybe just hold off and see what happens with pricing. I'm wanting until Prime day to see if any computer parts sales come up.

              • SleepingBanana on 23/06/2022 - 10:54

                @ThriftyGuy: Good point, I tried ray tracing, it's more of a gimmick, I turned that on in COD and I already stopped caring about the ray tracing difference in the second game while busy shooting enemies. But I did find DLSS boost my fps around 10fps higher while playing Cyberpunk at its initial launch given the optimisation was so bad

                • ThriftyGuy on 23/06/2022 - 12:27

                  @SleepingBanana: Yes, I might just in the short term get a RTX 2060 and enable DLSS to get better fps. Then upgrade when prices really go down. How much would you pay for a used RTX 2060?
                  They released in Oz for around $500, 3 years ago. People on eBay still trying to sell for more than $300+

                  • SleepingBanana on 23/06/2022 - 15:32

                    @ThriftyGuy: I haven't checked the gpu price lately, at the time I paid my 3080 for 1500 around 2020 Xmas, but I sold my old 1080 for 600 as well. I heard the GPU price has gone down to rrp nowadays.

                    Buying an used gpu as a interim solution sounds a good tactic to me, you won't lose much money after re-sell it

  • Kenada on 17/06/2022 - 17:00

    Im looking to do the same but have been getting feedback and DDR5 is not really worth it currently, would you consider going for good DDR4 and saving some $$?
    Also im looking at the 12600k/kf, could save a little bit more there.
    I would beef up your Power supply to 750w I think at least, im no expert with these though!

  • ThriftyGuy on 18/06/2022 - 13:36
    +1

    I did notice that no huge difference in gaming atm, but I'm looking to go DDR5 in the future. The only problem is I'll have to buy a new motherboard to support DDR5 in the future.

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