Question Building My First Gaming PC - Need Help

[VoidCorvid]

Hello all! I am building my first gaming pc, and while I have a solid idea of what I want from it, I could use some advice and opinions on a couple of things just to make sure I'm not accidentally making some grave error. I have a budget of about $1,000, and I want it to be able to play No Mans Sky at the recommended specs. Here's what I have so far:

• Case: Corsair 4000D Airflow
• Motherboard: ATX B660 of some kind
• CPU: Intel Core i3-12100F
• GPU: Nvidia GeForce RTX 3050
• RAM: Teamgroup T-Force Vulcan Z 16GB
• Storage: SSD M.2 1TB of some kind
• PSU : I have no idea

As you can see, I need some advice on good compatible SSD, PSU and motherboards that are within my budget. I also need to make sure that the components I picked out are going to run the specs I want and are compatible with each other. I'm using PC Parts Picker to figure this stuff out, but I figure that a website can't give you all the info you need. For the PSU it looks like the wattage I need is around 128W. I honestly don't need anything fancy, I like a simple look to my pc and I dislike RGB lighting. I also don't really feel like messing around with a liquid cooling system since this is my first pc build. Any help or advice on this matter would be greatly appreciated!

 

[Lutfij]

Welcome to the forums, newcomer!

Where are you located? What sort of budget do you have leftover when you subtract the parts that you've listed above, meaning how much do you have left for the SSD, PSU and motherboard?

You sure you want to go with that config at that budget? If you can bump up your budget just a tad bit, you could look into this;
PCPartPicker Part List

CPU: AMD Ryzen 5 7600 3.8 GHz 6-Core Processor ($194.99 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: Gigabyte B850M GAMING X WIFI6E Micro ATX AM5 Motherboard ($174.99 @ Amazon)
Memory: G.Skill Trident Z5 Neo RGB 32 GB (2 x 16 GB) DDR5-6000 CL30 Memory ($109.99 @ Amazon)
Storage: Crucial P3 Plus 500 GB M.2-2280 PCIe 4.0 X4 NVME Solid State Drive ($39.97 @ Amazon)
Storage: Crucial P3 Plus 2 TB M.2-2280 PCIe 4.0 X4 NVME Solid State Drive ($117.00 @ iBUYPOWER)
Video Card: Sapphire PULSE Radeon RX 7700 XT 12 GB Video Card ($514.53 @ Amazon)
Case: Cooler Master Elite 301 MicroATX Mid Tower Case ($54.99 @ Amazon)
Power Supply: MSI MAG A850GL PCIE5 850 W 80+ Gold Certified Fully Modular ATX Power Supply ($109.99 @ Amazon)
Total: $1316.45
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2025-03-15 01:54 EDT-0400
You could add an aftermarket cooler for about 20 or so USD, like this one;
https://pcpartpicker.com/product/Rk...assin-king-se-6617-cfm-cpu-cooler-ak120-se-d6
Dual SSD's, one for the OS, app's and launchers(smaller capacity) while the larger one is for the game library. DDR5 dual channel ram and on a capable AM5 platform that you can tax other titles with. This isn't set in stone mind you, merely a template.

Moved thread from PC Gaming section to Systems section.

 

[boju]

Those specs as is is good for that game but do you really want to budget around a single game that you might consider venturing into others? If there's a chance you might then might as well spend a bit more and do it properly first time otherwise you'll be thinking why i just didn't do that.

Didn't include graphics card yet, save a bit for it, or at least get something better than the 3050. Igpu would get you by until 5060ti releases which will use the normal pcie 8 pin rather than the new troubled 12vhpwr plug.

PCPartPicker Part List

CPU: Intel Core i5-12600K 3.7 GHz 10-Core Processor ($178.12 @ Amazon)
CPU Cooler: Thermalright Peerless Assassin 120 SE 66.17 CFM CPU Cooler ($34.90 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: Asus TUF GAMING B760-PLUS WIFI ATX LGA1700 Motherboard ($169.99 @ Amazon)
Memory: TEAMGROUP T-Create Expert 32 GB (2 x 16 GB) DDR5-6000 CL30 Memory ($81.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Samsung 990 Pro 2 TB M.2-2280 PCIe 4.0 X4 NVME Solid State Drive ($164.99 @ Newegg)
Case: Corsair 4000D Airflow ATX Mid Tower Case ($84.99 @ Best Buy)
Power Supply: Corsair RM750x (2024) 750 W Fully Modular ATX Power Supply ($119.99 @ Amazon)
Total: $834.97
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2025-03-15 01:41 EDT-0400


Is Windows and a monitor included with this? If you mean this is your first diy build but have an oem prebuilt machine on hand, the OS may not be transferable. Can run Win11 for free anyhow with some cosmetic restrictions.

 

[Why_Me]

Hello all! I am building my first gaming pc, and while I have a solid idea of what I want from it, I could use some advice and opinions on a couple of things just to make sure I'm not accidentally making some grave error. I have a budget of about $1,000, and I want it to be able to play No Mans Sky at the recommended specs. Here's what I have so far:

• Case: Corsair 4000D Airflow
• Motherboard: ATX B660 of some kind
• CPU: Intel Core i3-12100F
• GPU: Nvidia GeForce RTX 3050
• RAM: Teamgroup T-Force Vulcan Z 16GB
• Storage: SSD M.2 1TB of some kind
• PSU : I have no idea

As you can see, I need some advice on good compatible SSD, PSU and motherboards that are within my budget. I also need to make sure that the components I picked out are going to run the specs I want and are compatible with each other. I'm using PC Parts Picker to figure this stuff out, but I figure that a website can't give you all the info you need. For the PSU it looks like the wattage I need is around 128W. I honestly don't need anything fancy, I like a simple look to my pc and I dislike RGB lighting. I also don't really feel like messing around with a liquid cooling system since this is my first pc build. Any help or advice on this matter would be greatly appreciated!

The 120mm fan goes inside the back of this case for an exhaust fan.

PCPartPicker Part List

CPU: *Intel Core i5-12400F 2.5 GHz 6-Core Processor ($111.34 @ Amazon)
CPU Cooler: *ID-COOLING FROZN A410 SE 55.2 CFM CPU Cooler ($24.99 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: *ASRock B760 Pro RS/D4 ATX LGA1700 Motherboard ($109.99 @ Amazon)
Memory: *Corsair Vengeance LPX 32 GB (2 x 16 GB) DDR4-3200 CL16 Memory ($47.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: *Silicon Power UD90 2 TB M.2-2280 PCIe 4.0 X4 NVME Solid State Drive ($92.97 @ B&H)
Video Card: *Gigabyte WINDFORCE OC Rev 2.0 GeForce RTX 3060 12GB 12 GB Video Card ($319.99 @ Newegg)
Case: *Fractal Design Focus 2 ATX Mid Tower Case ($77.98 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: *MSI MAG A650BE 650 W 80+ Bronze Certified Semi-modular ATX Power Supply ($59.99 @ Amazon)
Case Fan: *ARCTIC P12 PWM PST 56.3 CFM 120 mm Fan ($9.99 @ Amazon)
Total: $855.23
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
*Lowest price parts chosen from parametric criteria
Generated by PCPartPicker 2025-03-15 08:22 EDT-0400

https://www.tomshardware.com/software/windows/windows-11-free-or-cheap

https://www.fractal-design.com/products/cases/focus/focus-2/black-solid/

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tIG4vFQbDn4

 

[LOGAN54321]

PCPartPicker Part List

CPU: AMD Ryzen 5 7600 3.8 GHz 6-Core Processor ($194.99 @ Amazon)
CPU Cooler: Thermalright Assassin X 120 Refined SE 66.17 CFM CPU Cooler ($17.89 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: ASRock B850M-X Micro ATX AM5 Motherboard ($109.99 @ Amazon)
Memory: TEAMGROUP T-Create Expert 32 GB (2 x 16 GB) DDR5-6000 CL30 Memory ($89.99 @ Amazon)
Storage: Western Digital Blue SN580 1 TB M.2-2280 PCIe 4.0 X4 NVME Solid State Drive ($58.99 @ Amazon)
Video Card: Gigabyte GAMING OC Radeon RX 7700 XT 12 GB Video Card ($472.98 @ Newegg)
Case: Zalman S4 ATX Mid Tower Case ($49.90 @ Newegg Sellers)
Power Supply: Thermaltake Toughpower GX2 600 W 80+ Gold Certified ATX Power Supply ($64.98 @ Amazon)
Total: $1059.71
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2025-03-16 14:10 EDT-0400

The video card is just there to put something for example. I think a better value is to "hunt"(look for a deal) for rx7800 XT for around $500.

 

[VoidCorvid]

Welcome to the forums, newcomer!

Where are you located? What sort of budget do you have leftover when you subtract the parts that you've listed above, meaning how much do you have left for the SSD, PSU and motherboard?

You sure you want to go with that config at that budget? If you can bump up your budget just a tad bit, you could look into this;
PCPartPicker Part List

CPU: AMD Ryzen 5 7600 3.8 GHz 6-Core Processor ($194.99 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: Gigabyte B850M GAMING X WIFI6E Micro ATX AM5 Motherboard ($174.99 @ Amazon)
Memory: G.Skill Trident Z5 Neo RGB 32 GB (2 x 16 GB) DDR5-6000 CL30 Memory ($109.99 @ Amazon)
Storage: Crucial P3 Plus 500 GB M.2-2280 PCIe 4.0 X4 NVME Solid State Drive ($39.97 @ Amazon)
Storage: Crucial P3 Plus 2 TB M.2-2280 PCIe 4.0 X4 NVME Solid State Drive ($117.00 @ iBUYPOWER)
Video Card: Sapphire PULSE Radeon RX 7700 XT 12 GB Video Card ($514.53 @ Amazon)
Case: Cooler Master Elite 301 MicroATX Mid Tower Case ($54.99 @ Amazon)
Power Supply: MSI MAG A850GL PCIE5 850 W 80+ Gold Certified Fully Modular ATX Power Supply ($109.99 @ Amazon)
Total: $1316.45
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2025-03-15 01:54 EDT-0400
You could add an aftermarket cooler for about 20 or so USD, like this one;
https://pcpartpicker.com/product/Rk...assin-king-se-6617-cfm-cpu-cooler-ak120-se-d6
Dual SSD's, one for the OS, app's and launchers(smaller capacity) while the larger one is for the game library. DDR5 dual channel ram and on a capable AM5 platform that you can tax other titles with. This isn't set in stone mind you, merely a template.

Moved thread from PC Gaming section to Systems section.

I have a budget of about $1,000 but I can stretch it to $1,300 if need be. With the parts subtracted I have like $200-$400. I've also thought about buying a prebuilt and then customizing it down the line rather than starting from scratch, there's some Cyberpowerpc models that've been catching my eye lately. I have to admit, I'm not sure some of the terminology you're using since I'm very new to computers in general.

 

[boju]

What's a pcie pin?

If you're referring to my comment regarding pcie 8 pin, i meant the supplementary power connector from power supply to the graphics card.

 

[LOGAN54321]

If you decide to build it yourself ,here is a revised parts list.
Things (including prices, availability) change daily, even hourly.
At the end of course it's your decision if you're gonna go with pre-build. You can watch some of the videos of Gamers Nexus( YouTube) on pre-builds.

PCPartPicker Part List

CPU: AMD Ryzen 5 7600 3.8 GHz 6-Core Processor ($184.96 @ Newegg)
CPU Cooler: Thermalright Assassin X 120 Refined SE 66.17 CFM CPU Cooler ($17.89 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: MSI B650 GAMING PLUS WIFI ATX AM5 Motherboard ($149.99 @ MSI)
Memory: TEAMGROUP T-Create Expert 32 GB (2 x 16 GB) DDR5-6000 CL30 Memory ($89.99 @ Amazon)
Storage: Western Digital Blue SN580 2 TB M.2-2280 PCIe 4.0 X4 NVME Solid State Drive ($113.99 @ Amazon)
Video Card: XFX Speedster SWFT 210 Core 2 Radeon RX 7800 XT 16 GB Video Card ($579.99 @ Amazon)
Case: RIOTORO CR400 ATX Mid Tower Case ($49.70 @ Amazon)
Power Supply: NZXT C850 (2024) 850 W 80+ Gold Certified Fully Modular ATX Power Supply ($119.99 @ NZXT)
Total: $1306.50
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2025-03-18 10:47 EDT-0400

 

[QyInvoLing]

Seeing 12100, 3050 and $1000 in the main post, I got very surprised and fell down the chair I'm sitting on.
In my country there're plenty of physical shops located all over the country selling these overpriced(often 2x price, sometimes 10x or 100x) garbage to non-professional customers. Are the item list in the main post provided by these shops?

 

[helper800]

IMO this is the best way to do this build while leaving a ton of room for upgrades in the future. A couple things about the build would be getting the 9600X from Aliexpress, and performing a BIOS update with the motherboard's BIOS flashback to support the CPU if it does not come with an updated BIOS version. This particular listing has recent reviews from what look to be legit buyers getting the 9600X so its a great deal. A quality PSU with enough capacity to get up to a 400w GPU in the future.

PCPartPicker Part List

CPU: AMD Ryzen 5 9600X 3.9 GHz 6-Core Processor ($159.99)
CPU Cooler: Thermalright Phantom Spirit 120 SE 66.17 CFM CPU Cooler ($35.90 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: ASRock B650M Pro RS Micro ATX AM5 Motherboard ($129.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: Patriot Viper Venom 32 GB (2 x 16 GB) DDR5-6000 CL30 Memory ($79.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Inland Performance Plus 1 TB M.2-2280 PCIe 4.0 X4 NVME Solid State Drive ($74.98 @ Amazon)
Video Card: Asus DUAL OC V2 GeForce RTX 4060 8 GB Video Card ($339.99 @ ASUS)
Case: NZXT H5 Flow RGB (2023) ATX Mid Tower Case ($79.99 @ NZXT)
Power Supply: Thermaltake Toughpower GF3 TT Premium 750 W 80+ Gold Certified Fully Modular ATX Power Supply ($95.99 @ Amazon)
Total: $996.82
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2025-03-18 12:19 EDT-0400