Paul's HardwareIn September (ad) 2026, building a budget PC is challenging due to high prices for memory, storage, and GPUs. The speaker recommends the AMD 5500F CPU for its newness and gaming performance, despite lacking L3 cache compared to the 5500. For storage, NVMe SSDs like the Samsung 980 are suggested, but the Patriot P300 or ADA Legend 710 are noted as alternatives.
The speaker (ad) suggests an AMD AM4 build with the 5500F CPU, 32GB DDR4 memory, a 500GB Samsung 980 NVMe SSD, and a 550W power supply. For an Intel LGA700 build, the 14600K CPU is recommended, along with 32GB DDR4 memory, a 500GB Samsung 980 NVMe SSD, and a 550W power supply. For a current generation DDR5 build, the speaker notes that DDR5 components are more expensive. The 5500F CPU is recommended for its newness and gaming performance, but the 5600 or 5600X would provide more performance at a higher cost. The speaker recommends the AMD Radeon RX970 GRE GPU for its performance, though it is currently more expensive than the 9070 XT. The 9070 XT is starting at $790, making it a more budget-friendly option.
The speaker (ad) notes that the 5500F CPU is new and provides a decent boost in gaming performance, while the 5600 or 5600X would offer more performance at a higher cost. The 5500F also includes a Wraith Stealth cooler, eliminating the need for an additional cooler.
The speaker (ad) suggests an Intel LGA700 build with the 14600K CPU, 32GB DDR4 memory, a 500GB Samsung 980 NVMe SSD, and a 550W power supply. This build is more budget-friendly compared to the DDR5 build, with the 14600K providing better performance for the price.
The speaker (ad) notes that the exact prices of the recommended components in September 2026 are not specified, but the builds are designed to provide good value for the budget. The builds are intended to help readers make informed decisions about their PC builds.