[SOLVED] Which gaming pc should I get for under $1300?

tomlep1

Distinguished
Oct 25, 2015
13
0
18,510
BUDGET $1300 and under (but willing to spend a bit more if it's really good)

current PC specs:
  • processor: AMD Phenom X4 910, 2.6 GHz, 4-Core
  • motherboard: MSI 760GMA-P34(FX)
  • HDD: first one: 2TB | second one: 1TB
  • RAM: 16gb
  • PSU: 700 watt 80 plus gold
  • GPU: GTX 1660 super 6GB GDDR6
The pc i'm thinking about getting: (pre-built)
  • name: Skytech Archangel
  • processor: Intel Core i5 10400F, 2.9 GHz, 6-Core
  • motherboard: B560
  • HDD: 1 TB (not to worried about the capacity since i can just take my old HDD's and put them into the new one)
  • RAM: 16gb
  • PSU: 600 Watt 80 Plus Gold
  • GPU: GeForce RTX 3060 12GB GDDR6
  • price: $999.99
If anyone knows a better pc within my budget then please post a link to it.
I would like it if it had more ram (32GB+) only if it's still within budget.

Reason for upgrading: No complicated reason I just want a better pc for gaming lol
 
Last edited:
Solution
With how long you seem to keep systems, making the jump to DDR5 might be a good idea, with regards to future support.

PCPartPicker Part List

CPU: Intel Core i5-12600KF 3.7 GHz 10-Core Processor ($259.99 @ Newegg)
CPU Cooler: Deepcool AK620 68.99 CFM CPU Cooler ($64.98 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: MSI PRO Z690-A ATX LGA1700 Motherboard ($159.99 @ B&H)
Memory: TEAMGROUP T-Force Vulcan 32 GB (2 x 16 GB) DDR5-5600 CL36 Memory ($149.99 @ Amazon)
Storage: Sabrent Rocket 4.0 1 TB M.2-2280 NVME Solid State Drive ($99.99 @ B&H)
Video Card: Sapphire Radeon RX 6700 XT 12 GB PULSE Video Card ($389.99 @ Newegg)
Case: Zalman i3 NEO ATX...

Eximo

Titan
Ambassador
What do you play that needs a GPU upgrade? I would keep the 1660 and just spend the money on a new core system. You would be better off and then you could upgrade your GPU and potentially monitor at a later date.

PSU, Drives, Chassis, and GPU you could re-use.
 

Eximo

Titan
Ambassador
Either way, you can do much better with $1300 than that.

PCPartPicker Part List

CPU: Intel Core i5-12600KF 3.7 GHz 10-Core Processor ($259.99 @ Newegg)
CPU Cooler: Deepcool AK620 68.99 CFM CPU Cooler ($64.98 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: ASRock B660M Steel Legend Micro ATX LGA1700 Motherboard ($114.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: Corsair Vengeance LPX 32 GB (2 x 16 GB) DDR4-3600 CL16 Memory ($114.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Sabrent Rocket 4.0 1 TB M.2-2280 NVME Solid State Drive ($99.99 @ B&H)
Video Card: Gigabyte GeForce RTX 3060 Ti LHR 8 GB GAMING OC Rev 2.0 Video Card ($449.99 @ Newegg)
Case: Corsair 4000D Airflow ATX Mid Tower Case ($104.99 @ Amazon)
Power Supply: EVGA SuperNOVA P6 750 W 80+ Platinum Certified Fully Modular ATX Power Supply ($99.99 @ EVGA)
Total: $1309.91
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2022-09-15 14:53 EDT-0400
 

logainofhades

Titan
Moderator
With how long you seem to keep systems, making the jump to DDR5 might be a good idea, with regards to future support.

PCPartPicker Part List

CPU: Intel Core i5-12600KF 3.7 GHz 10-Core Processor ($259.99 @ Newegg)
CPU Cooler: Deepcool AK620 68.99 CFM CPU Cooler ($64.98 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: MSI PRO Z690-A ATX LGA1700 Motherboard ($159.99 @ B&H)
Memory: TEAMGROUP T-Force Vulcan 32 GB (2 x 16 GB) DDR5-5600 CL36 Memory ($149.99 @ Amazon)
Storage: Sabrent Rocket 4.0 1 TB M.2-2280 NVME Solid State Drive ($99.99 @ B&H)
Video Card: Sapphire Radeon RX 6700 XT 12 GB PULSE Video Card ($389.99 @ Newegg)
Case: Zalman i3 NEO ATX Mid Tower Case ($69.98 @ Amazon)
Power Supply: EVGA SuperNOVA P6 750 W 80+ Platinum Certified Fully Modular ATX Power Supply ($99.99 @ EVGA)
Total: $1294.90
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2022-09-15 15:03 EDT-0400


I would recommend spending a bit more for an i7 12700, for a bit of longevity. I kept the Z690 board, because it was the same price as its B660 counterpart.

PCPartPicker Part List

CPU: Intel Core i7-12700F 2.1 GHz 12-Core Processor ($312.96 @ Newegg)
CPU Cooler: Deepcool AK620 68.99 CFM CPU Cooler ($64.98 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: MSI PRO Z690-A ATX LGA1700 Motherboard ($159.99 @ B&H)
Memory: TEAMGROUP T-Force Vulcan 32 GB (2 x 16 GB) DDR5-5600 CL36 Memory ($149.99 @ Amazon)
Storage: Sabrent Rocket 4.0 1 TB M.2-2280 NVME Solid State Drive ($99.99 @ B&H)
Video Card: Sapphire Radeon RX 6700 XT 12 GB PULSE Video Card ($389.99 @ Newegg)
Case: Zalman i3 NEO ATX Mid Tower Case ($69.98 @ Amazon)
Power Supply: EVGA SuperNOVA P6 750 W 80+ Platinum Certified Fully Modular ATX Power Supply ($99.99 @ EVGA)
Total: $1347.87
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2022-09-15 15:06 EDT-0400
 
Solution

tomlep1

Distinguished
Oct 25, 2015
13
0
18,510
With how long you seem to keep systems, making the jump to DDR5 might be a good idea, with regards to future support.

PCPartPicker Part List

CPU: Intel Core i5-12600KF 3.7 GHz 10-Core Processor ($259.99 @ Newegg)
CPU Cooler: Deepcool AK620 68.99 CFM CPU Cooler ($64.98 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: MSI PRO Z690-A ATX LGA1700 Motherboard ($159.99 @ B&H)
Memory: TEAMGROUP T-Force Vulcan 32 GB (2 x 16 GB) DDR5-5600 CL36 Memory ($149.99 @ Amazon)
Storage: Sabrent Rocket 4.0 1 TB M.2-2280 NVME Solid State Drive ($99.99 @ B&H)
Video Card: Sapphire Radeon RX 6700 XT 12 GB PULSE Video Card ($389.99 @ Newegg)
Case: Zalman i3 NEO ATX Mid Tower Case ($69.98 @ Amazon)
Power Supply: EVGA SuperNOVA P6 750 W 80+ Platinum Certified Fully Modular ATX Power Supply ($99.99 @ EVGA)
Total: $1294.90
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2022-09-15 15:03 EDT-0400


I would recommend spending a bit more for an i7 12700, for a bit of longevity. I kept the Z690 board, because it was the same price as its B660 counterpart.

PCPartPicker Part List

CPU: Intel Core i7-12700F 2.1 GHz 12-Core Processor ($312.96 @ Newegg)
CPU Cooler: Deepcool AK620 68.99 CFM CPU Cooler ($64.98 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: MSI PRO Z690-A ATX LGA1700 Motherboard ($159.99 @ B&H)
Memory: TEAMGROUP T-Force Vulcan 32 GB (2 x 16 GB) DDR5-5600 CL36 Memory ($149.99 @ Amazon)
Storage: Sabrent Rocket 4.0 1 TB M.2-2280 NVME Solid State Drive ($99.99 @ B&H)
Video Card: Sapphire Radeon RX 6700 XT 12 GB PULSE Video Card ($389.99 @ Newegg)
Case: Zalman i3 NEO ATX Mid Tower Case ($69.98 @ Amazon)
Power Supply: EVGA SuperNOVA P6 750 W 80+ Platinum Certified Fully Modular ATX Power Supply ($99.99 @ EVGA)
Total: $1347.87
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2022-09-15 15:06 EDT-0400

I've decided to go with logainofhades 2nd option. Thanks for the help.
Also have to thank Eximo as well.