CPU and GPU
I did not include CPUs on dead platforms as this list is meant to be future proof. If you buy into a dead platform now, you will be unable to upgrade to a newer CPU in the future.
However, good older CPUs for an budget build include the Ryzen 5 5600, the Core i3-12100F or i5-12400F, and the Ryzen 7 5700X3D. A decent budget GPU would ideally be the B580, but if it is out of stock, the RX 7600 or the RTX 4060 are good alternatives
I did not include Intel’s 13th and 14th generation CPUs due to their microcode issues resulting in CPUs going dead. Also, they are on a dead platform.
Intel’s newest Arrow Lake CPUs actually had a performance regression in gaming compared to last gen and you have to get a new motherboard with the LGA 1851 socket, and those are expensive.
AMD’s Zen 5 processors (9xxx series) underperformed despite the higher price compared to equivalent Zen 4 processors (7xxx series), but if you find them for a similar price, they are worth it as they are a lot better in power efficiency
- RAM: 6000MT/s CL30 DDR5 (best option for AM5)
- SSDs: view section on SSDs
Good brands for AMD GPUs: Sapphire, Powercolor, and XFX (or reference models)
Good brands for Nvidia GPUs: MSI, Gigabyte, Asus, PNY, and Zotac (or Founder’s Edition models)
Just get the cheapest ones you can find, the brand doesn’t really matter. Above are just some brands that are popular online.
1080p / 1440p
- CPU: Ryzen 5 7600X (
$299$208) - GPU: RX 6800 XT
- power supply: at least 650W
The Ryzen 5 7600X can be cooled with the included stock cooler
The Ryzen 5 7500F (
$164$147) is another option to consider, but does not come with a stock cooler or an integrated GPU
The RX 7700 XT underperforms in comparison to the 6800 XT. If you’re able to find the 7700 XT for a lot cheaper than it might be worth it
1440p / 4K
- CPU: Ryzen 7 7700X (
$399$352) - GPU: RX 7800 XT / RTX 4070 Super
- better: RX 7900 XT / RTX 4070 Ti Super
- power supply: at least 750W
If ASRock Steel Legend is out of stock, the Gigabyte B650 Aorus Elite AX V2 is a good alternative
The RX 7900 GRE sits in between 7800 XT and 7900 XT and is a quite a good value if you can find it for just over the price of the 7800 XT
Best for Gaming Battlestations
- CPU: Ryzen 7 7800X3D ($449)
- GPU: RX 7900 XT / RTX 4070 Ti Super
- better: RX 7900 XTX / RTX 4080 Super
- power supply: at least 850W
If you find the 9800X3D ($479) for a reasonable price, it is better than the 7800X3D. It might not always be in stock, however.