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.
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.
for a more budget-focused build
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 good budget GPU would ideally be the B580, but if it is out of stock, the RX 7600 and the RTX 4060 are good alternatives
about the newest CPUs and GPUs
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.
The RTX 50xx series don’t offer much improvement over the 40xx series, with most performance gains coming from DLSS 4’s multi-frame generation. The raw performance increase is not much. If you happen to find the RTX 50xx series for cheaper than equivalent RTX 40xx models, there’s no reason not to get the newer models.
The RX 9070 and 9070 XT are pretty great cards and FSR 4 is a sizeable improvement over FSR 3. If you are able to find it for a better price than the RDNA 3 cards, it could be worth it.
The newer CPUs and GPUs are usually more expensive compared to options from previous generation. It really depends on pricing in your region.
- 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.
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.
Most people do not need the power of the RTX 4090 and it isn’t a good value.
Best for Productivity Workhorses
- CPU: Ryzen 9 7900X (
$549$347) or 7950X ($699$484) - GPU: RX 7900 XT / RTX 4070 Ti Super
- better: RX 7900 XTX / RTX 4080 Super
- power supply: at least 1000W
Most people do not need the power of the RTX 4090 and it isn’t a good value.