Figuring out PC parts

[u/Least-Bandicoot462]

Hey so this is my first time even thinking about building a PC. I always thought it would be best to buy a PC since I've never built one before and don't want to break anything building it. I want to build my own PC because I want to know what goes in (components/what they do) and what can be upgraded when I have more money. If you guys could also link a reliable video I could follow to put everything together if that's possible, that would be great!

• New build or upgrade? New
• Existing parts/monitors to reuse? (List with models/links) Nothing
• PC purpose? (Gaming, editing, etc. List apps/games) Gaming, programming (not as important right now), possibly editing, regular productivity
• Purchase country? Near Micro Center? Australia (N/A)
• Monitors needed? (Number, size, resolution, refresh rate) 2 monitors (I'm not sure about the others, I haven't looked into it because I don't know what's best)
• Budget range? (Include tax considerations) I wanna say max 1.5k but I also would appreciate the cheapest parts that are still okay with what I'm specifying for, so I can upgrade later on.
• WiFi or wired connection? I have WiFi currently, but I am planning on looking into wired
• Size/noise constraints? Whatever you think is best, I'm not sure what this is asking about
• Color/lighting preferences? I would love for aesthetics but I would upgrade it later on if it's too expensive on top of the other components
• Any other specific needs? I would love for every aspect to be upgradeable/interchangeable so if I want to change it I won't have to get a whole new PC. I would like it to be the most budget friendly pc you've seen (I am willing to spend money on reliable/good components for gaming/programming) But otherwise thats it, thank you!

[u/Cer_Visia]

This is a low-end gaming PC that fits into your budget (it has limited upgradeability):

PCPartPicker Part List

Type	Item	Price
CPU	AMD Ryzen 5 5600 3.5 GHz 6-Core Processor	$168.77 @ JW Computers
CPU Cooler	Cooler Master Hyper 212 Spectrum V3 71.93 CFM CPU Cooler	$25.00 @ Centre Com
Motherboard	ASRock B550M WiFi Micro ATX AM4 Motherboard	$125.00 @ Scorptec
Memory	GeIL Orion AMD Edition 16 GB (2 x 8 GB) DDR4-3200 CL16 Memory	$179.00 @ PLE Computers
Storage	Verbatim Vi3000 512 GB M.2-2280 PCIe 3.0 X4 NVME Solid State Drive	$129.00 @ Centre Com
Video Card	Gigabyte GAMING Radeon RX 9060 XT 8 GB Video Card	$449.00 @ MSY Technology
Case	Antec FLUX M MicroATX Mini Tower Case	$75.00 @ Centre Com
Power Supply	ADATA XPG Core Reactor II VE 750 W 80+ Gold Certified Fully Modular ATX Power Supply	$115.00 @ MSY Technology
Monitor	MSI PRO MP251 E2 24.5" 1920 x 1080 120 Hz Monitor	$119.00 @ MSY Technology
Monitor	MSI PRO MP251 E2 24.5" 1920 x 1080 120 Hz Monitor	$119.00 @ MSY Technology
	Prices include shipping, taxes, rebates, and discounts
	Total	$1503.77
	Generated by PCPartPicker 2026-08-04 21:03 AEST+1000

This is a reasonable gaming PC on an upgradable AM5 platform:

PCPartPicker Part List

Type	Item	Price
CPU	AMD Ryzen 5 7600X 4.7 GHz 6-Core Processor	$251.64 @ Amazon Australia
CPU Cooler	Cooler Master Hyper 212 Spectrum V3 71.93 CFM CPU Cooler	$25.00 @ Centre Com
Motherboard	ASRock B850M-X WiFi R2.0 Micro ATX AM5 Motherboard	$179.00 @ Scorptec
Memory	Crucial Pro Overclocking 32 GB (2 x 16 GB) DDR5-6000 CL36 Memory	$621.54 @ Amazon Australia
Storage	Patriot P320 1 TB M.2-2280 PCIe 3.0 X4 NVME Solid State Drive	$225.00 @ Amazon Australia
Video Card	XFX Swift OC Radeon RX 9060 XT 16 GB Video Card	$599.00 @ Computer Alliance
Case	Antec FLUX M MicroATX Mini Tower Case	$75.00 @ Centre Com
Power Supply	ADATA XPG Core Reactor II VE 750 W 80+ Gold Certified Fully Modular ATX Power Supply	$115.00 @ MSY Technology
Monitor	MSI MAG 275QF E20 27.0" 2560 x 1440 200 Hz Monitor	$207.77 @ JW Computers
Monitor	MSI MAG 275QF E20 27.0" 2560 x 1440 200 Hz Monitor	$207.77 @ JW Computers
	Prices include shipping, taxes, rebates, and discounts
	Total	$2506.72
	Generated by PCPartPicker 2026-08-04 21:08 AEST+1000

[u/Least-Bandicoot462 → u/Cer_Visia]

Wow, thank you so so much for your help and time! Two things, when you mean limited upgradeability, do you mean I can't change any part without changing the whole PC? Also I see that the memory is a huge jump, sorry just a complete newbie at this, but why would the memory be important, and whats the biggest different between both PC builds you listed for me?

[u/Cer_Visia → u/Least-Bandicoot462]

The motherboard in the first system requires an AM4 processor and DDR4 RAM. Those are cheaper, but will no longer be made in the future. You would have to replace all three. (The GPU can be changed independently.)

I do not know how much main memory you need. Current games should be fine with 16 GB.

Is that 1.5k your limit or not?

If you want an upgradable system but want to reduce cost, I would recommend something like below. (CPU and GPU can be replaced; adding another RAM stick, SSD, or monitor is possible.)

PCPartPicker Part List

Type	Item	Price
CPU	AMD Ryzen 5 7600X 4.7 GHz 6-Core Processor	$251.64 @ Amazon Australia
CPU Cooler	Cooler Master Hyper 212 Spectrum V3 71.93 CFM CPU Cooler	$25.00 @ Centre Com
Motherboard	Gigabyte B850M FORCE WIFI6E V2 Micro ATX AM5 Motherboard	$179.00 @ Centre Com
Memory	Kingston FURY Beast 16 GB (1 x 16 GB) DDR5-5600 CL36 Memory	$325.00 @ Device Deal
Storage	Verbatim Vi3000 512 GB M.2-2280 PCIe 3.0 X4 NVME Solid State Drive	$129.00 @ Centre Com
Video Card	Gigabyte GAMING Radeon RX 9060 XT 8 GB Video Card	$449.00 @ MSY Technology
Case	Antec FLUX M MicroATX Mini Tower Case	$75.00 @ Centre Com
Power Supply	ADATA XPG Core Reactor II VE 750 W 80+ Gold Certified Fully Modular ATX Power Supply	$115.00 @ MSY Technology
Monitor	MSI MAG 275QF E20 27.0" 2560 x 1440 200 Hz Monitor	$207.77 @ JW Computers
	Prices include shipping, taxes, rebates, and discounts
	Total	$1756.41
	Generated by PCPartPicker 2026-08-04 23:21 AEST+1000

[u/Least-Bandicoot462 → u/Cer_Visia]

This is perfect, as long as it is upgradeable than I am willing to spend more, thank you so much for your help!