With all the new hardware releases this year, I'm trying to put together a guide for the best value PC components for different upgrade scenarios. The market changes so fast that what was a good deal last month might not be today.
I'm looking for recommendations on components that offer the best performance per dollar upgrades. We're talking about graphics cards, CPUs, RAM, storage, power supplies - everything. But specifically components that give you the most bang for your buck right now.
What are your picks for the best budget PC upgrade components available today? I'm especially interested in used PC parts performance experiences - have you had good results with used components, or is it too risky?
For best value PC components right now, here are my picks:
CPU: AMD Ryzen 5 5600 - around $120-140, amazing performance for the price, works with affordable B550 motherboards
GPU: Used RX 6600 or RTX 3060 - $150-200 used, great 1080p gaming performance
RAM: 16GB DDR4 3200MHz - $35-45, the sweet spot for most users
SSD: 1TB NVMe SSD - $50-65, prices have dropped dramatically
PSU: 650W 80+ Bronze - $60-80, enough for most mid-range builds
These components offer excellent performance per dollar upgrades. The Ryzen 5 5600 in particular is a standout - it's often within 10-15% of the much more expensive 5800X3D in gaming, but costs half as much.
For used PC parts performance, I've had great experiences with used GPUs and CPUs. Just make sure to test them thoroughly. Used motherboards and power supplies are riskier - I'd buy those new.
I'll add to BudgetPCBuilder's list:
For budget gaming PC upgrade, the RX 6600 is hard to beat at around $200 new or $150 used. It outperforms the GTX 1660 Super and RTX 3050 while often being cheaper.
For CPU upgrade performance gains, the Intel Core i5-12400F is another great option at $140-160. Pair it with a cheap B660 motherboard and you have a solid platform.
Don't overlook last-gen components either. The Ryzen 5 3600 can be found for under $100 used and still games very well. Pair it with a used B450 motherboard and you have a capable system for under $200.
For RAM, look for deals on 32GB kits. Sometimes you can find 32GB DDR4 3200MHz for $60-70, which is only $15-20 more than 16GB. If you're doing any content creation or multitasking, the extra RAM is worth it.
The key to best budget PC upgrade is patience and watching for sales. Set up price alerts on PCPartPicker and wait for the right deal.
I want to emphasize motherboard upgrade value, which often gets overlooked. A good motherboard can last through multiple CPU and GPU upgrades.
For AMD, a B550 motherboard ($100-150) gives you PCIe 4.0 support, good VRMs for future CPU upgrades, and decent features. For Intel, a B660 motherboard serves a similar purpose.
The motherboard upgrade value comes from longevity. You might pay $50 more for a better motherboard now, but then you can drop in a Ryzen 7 5800X3D or Core i7-13700K later without changing anything else.
Also, consider the power supply upgrade benefits of getting a quality unit. A good 750W-850W PSU ($100-150) can handle multiple GPU upgrades over the years. I've seen people buy cheap 500W PSUs, then have to replace them when they upgrade their GPU, wasting money.
Think long-term with your component choices. Sometimes spending a bit more now saves money overall.
For used PC parts performance, I've had mixed results. GPUs are generally safe to buy used if they were for gaming (not mining). Look for cards with transferable warranties if possible.
CPUs are also usually safe - they either work or they don't, and they rarely fail if they were working when sold.
RAM is hit or miss. Sometimes you get great deals on used RAM, other times you get mismatched sticks that don't run at their rated speed.
The risky ones are motherboards and power supplies. Motherboards can have bent pins or damaged traces that aren't obvious. Power supplies can be near the end of their life. I'd buy these new unless you really trust the seller.
One tip for used parts: ask for the original purchase receipt if possible. Some manufacturers honor warranties based on purchase date, not when you bought it used.