$1,500 PC build ideas?

Hey everyone!

As the title suggests, my goal is to put together a PC build using mostly used components. To keep this discussion from veering off track, let's just assume that all the used parts are fully functional and that the sellers on marketplaces are honest and trustworthy. 😁 😵

Next to each component, I’ve listed the price I managed to find for them on local classified sites.

CPU: Intel Core i5-12400 (I originally considered the 5600x, but since the "non-x" version is essentially the exact same chip, I decided to go with the cheaper option. I’ll be buying this one brand new since they aren't really showing up on the used market.) - $415

COOLER: Noctua NH-U12S - $83

MOTHERBOARD: ASUS Prime B550M-A - $167

RAM: DDR4, 3200Mhz, CL16, 2x16Gb (32Gb) - $267 (likely the cheapest kit with these specs I can find)

GPU: GeForce RTX 3070 8Gb - $1000

SSD: Western Digital Black SN850, M.2 NVMe, 500Gb - $167

PSU: Corsair RM750X, 80+ Gold - $233

CASE: MS Fighter S301 - $100

TOTAL: $2433 +-

Based on what I looked up for the same parts if bought brand new at the cheapest retailers, the total comes out to about $4000 +-

I realize that new parts come with a warranty, but the price gap here is massive. I am willing to take that risk.

I'm curious to hear your thoughts on this configuration, the pricing, and whether you would change, add, or remove anything. Also, what specific things should I look out for when buying used hardware like this to minimize potential risks? Thanks in advance!

I just finished putting together my new rig—though calling it an "upgrade" feels like a massive understatement.

Here’s a tip: if you grab everything as a bundle, I’ll drop the total price down to $375;

EVGA SuperNOVA 850 G6
Intel Core i5-8600K LGA 1151
Intel Core i5-8600K Corsair Hydro Series H150i Pro 360
ASUS ROG Z370

steelfalcon71 said:I just finished putting together a new rig—or, let's call it an upgrade, really.

Here's a tip: buy from me. If you take everything as a bundle, I'll drop the price down to $225 for:

EVGA SuperNOVA 850 G6 (warranty valid until Jan 07, 2023)
Intel Core i5-8600K LGA 1151
Intel Core i5-8600K Corsair Hydro Series H150i Pro 360
ASUS ROG Z370

Thanks for the offer, but I'm looking for something more recent with PCIe 4.0 support.

rustytrucker37 said:Thanks for the offer, but I'm moving on to newer tech—specifically PCIe 4.0.

Fair enough, but what exactly are you gaining from that jump? I mean, I get that SSD data transfer speeds increase, but since most games aren't even utilizing DirectStorage yet, does it actually move the needle? What’s the tangible benefit here? Just asking so I can wrap my head around the actual utility of it. 🤔

I'm certainly no IT expert, so you might be asking the wrong person here.
Btw, why wouldn't I go for the faster, higher-quality option that's actually future-proof if the opportunity is there?

You’d actually see a decent jump with a Western Digital Black SN850. On PCIe 3.0, you're stuck at roughly 3500 MB/s, whereas this thing hits up to 7000 MB/s.
As for the GPU, it's negligible. In most benchmarks, the difference between those and cards supporting PCIe 4.0 is only about 5%.

My real concern is buying a used SSD. It all comes down to usage; they have a finite write endurance. Even if a 500 GB drive has a limit of 300 TB—which sounds like plenty—you never know what kind of heavy lifting some random person put it through. It would be smart if the seller just pulled up CrystalDiskInfo so you can check the remaining life percentage.

urbanheron4 said:But honestly, buying a used SSD might actually be where you run into trouble. It really comes down to how much mileage it has on it, since they have a finite number of write cycles. Even though a 500 GB drive usually has a limit around 300 TB—which sounds like a massive amount—you never truly know what kind of heavy workloads someone else put that thing through. It would be a smart move to have the seller pull up CrystalDiskInfo so you can see exactly how much life is left in it.

Yeah, I'm aware of that. I'll definitely keep it in mind.

urbanheron4 said:Well, you’d actually see a decent gain with that Western Digital Black SN850. On PCIe 3.0, your speeds are capped at roughly 3500 MB/s, whereas this one can hit up to 7000 MB/s.
It makes very little difference for a GPU; benchmarks usually show only about a 5% gap compared to cards that support PCIe 4.0.

However, I suspect a used SSD could be a major headache. It all comes down to usage history, since these drives have a finite write endurance. Even if a 500 GB model has a limit of 300 TB—which sounds massive—you never truly know what kind of abuse it took. It would be wise to have the seller pull up CrystalDiskInfo so you can check the remaining life percentage.

He was running a Chia farm on that drive. 😛
You can burn through 300TB just like that. 🤣

rustytrucker37 said:Look, I’m not some IT specialist, so you might be asking the wrong guy here.
By the way, if I have the choice to go for a faster, better, more future-proof option, why wouldn't I?

You're buying used gear that isn't even high-end to begin with. There's no such thing as "future-proofing" in that scenario because you aren't planning an upgrade; you're just going to sell it or toss it eventually to buy something new anyway.

But fine, whatever works for you.

Personally, I would never touch used hardware unless it came with at least a 6-12 month warranty. If there's no warranty, that's fine, but then the price absolutely has to be rock bottom.

And regarding this whole "future-proof" concept—if you actually sit down, look at the data, and track where tech is heading, it makes much more sense to buy budget-friendly components more frequently. It's far more logical than dropping a fortune on some massive powerhouse and thinking you've "future-proofed" yourself. This industry moves so fast that trying to outrun it with one expensive build is just throwing money down the drain.

steelfalcon71 said:You're buying used gear, so it's not exactly high-end. There's no such thing as "future proof" here because you'll eventually just sell it or toss it and buy something new anyway.

Fair enough, that's your call.

Personally, I wouldn't touch anything used unless I had at least a 6-12 month warranty on it. If there's no warranty, fine, but then the price better be dirt cheap.

Hold on, you're offering someone used parts—a CPU from 2017—yet you claim you wouldn't buy used stuff? And his combo with a 5000 series processor is actually $100 more expensive. 🤔

@rustytrucker37/">@@rustytrucker37, we can all agree it's a budget case and looks decent enough, but I don't get why you wouldn't just grab a case you actually like and a future-proof PSU, then just swap out the motherboard, CPU, and RAM in a few years if you need to.

Otherwise, your build is solid and the prices seem alright.

Sam Diaz2 said:@rustytrucker37/">@@rustytrucker37 we can definitely agree that this case is a budget option and looks decent enough, but I don't quite get why you wouldn't just pick a case that actually fits your style, grab a future-proof power supply, and then if you need to down the road in a few years, just swap out the motherboard, CPU, and RAM.

Otherwise, your build looks solid and the pricing seems fair.

To be honest, the case is a totally non-factor for me, so if it's cheap and hits that minimalist vibe, I'm fine with it. I'm a bit of a newbie when it comes to this stuff, so please correct me if I'm wrong.

What would your specific recommendations be regarding the case and the power supply?

If I were in your shoes, I’d opt for a new power supply from Corsair. Most of their units come with a 10-year warranty, which gives you some serious peace of mind for the long haul while you're busy upgrading other parts of your rig.
Take this one, for instance. It’s a bit more beefy at 850W, but it doesn't hurt to have that extra headroom. https://www.amazon.com/corsair-power-supply/b?node=162250211

Sam Diaz2 said:Hold on, you’re offering this guy used gear—a CPU from 2017—yet you claim you wouldn't touch used parts yourself? And his combo with a 5000 series processor is only $100 more expensive. 🤔

@rustytrucker37/">@@rustytrucker37, we can both agree it's a budget build and it looks fine, but I don't get why you wouldn't just pick a case you actually like and a future-proof power supply, then just swap out the Motherboard+CPU+RAM in a few years if you need to.

Otherwise, your specs are solid and the prices are fair.

You read it perfectly fine, so what exactly did you miss? There's no issue here; I simply stated my position. The guy is looking for used parts to save money...

When you compare Hydro Series H150i Pro 360 🤣
The motherboard is better too, as is the PSU, and if the CPU is strictly for gaming—it's basically the same shit...

Is he really going to notice a slightly lower power bill or a handful of FPS difference with a Ryzen?


The only place I was off is that the case is a mini tower, so it won't fit the radiator. Plus, I'd never go with something like that; I'd stick to a mid tower because component sizes and temps always trend upward.

As for "future-proofing" and the order of upgrades, you're wrong there too—you'll upgrade the GPU first, then everything else you listed.

At the end of the day, let the guy buy whatever makes him happy, but please, let's not mix facts with fiction.

☕

Starting this year, we’re seeing ATX 3.0 standard power supplies hitting the market. They can push 600W through a single cable, which is a big deal given how much power these top-tier cards demand—especially after that whole mess with the RTX 4090 melting connectors. It might not be a make-or-break factor for the upcoming series, but it certainly will be down the road. Plus, they handle those massive transient spikes way better, something that’s been an issue since the RTX 3000 series launched.

https://www.cclonline.com/article/21...You-Need-One-/

There’s also been talk for a while now about moving entirely to a 12V system, basically ditching the 5V and 3.3V rails from both PSUs and motherboards. That hasn't really taken off yet, though.

Bottom line: if you’re actually trying to build a future-proof rig, you need to look at more than just the total wattage.

rustytrucker37 said:Honestly, I couldn't care less about the case. If it’s cheap and keeps things looking minimal, I'm good. I’m kind of a total noob when it comes to this stuff, though, so feel free to set me straight if I'm tripping.

So, if you're asking me... what would I actually go for regarding a case and a power supply? Honestly, it’s one of those things where you can overthink it until your brain melts. You could spend all day looking at fancy tempered glass cases that look like something out of a sci-fi movie, but at the end of the day, you just need something that doesn't turn your desk into a wind tunnel. Personally, I usually lean toward something understated—maybe a Corsair or a Fractal if I'm feeling fancy—just something with decent airflow so I don't have to worry about the whole thing melting during a heavy session. As for the PSU, don't cheap out. That's basically asking for trouble later. Just grab a reliable Gold-rated unit from somewhere like EVGA or Seasonic. It's better to spend a few extra bucks now than to watch your entire rig go dark because you tried to save fifty bucks on a generic power brick. But hey, that's just my two cents. Take it or leave it.

Your power supply is plenty beefy enough for that card, and honestly, it’s solid quality too.
Case choice is really just a matter of personal taste. You might find yourself wanting to swap things out in a few years when you're upgrading parts, whereas I’ll probably just be dropping new components into my current setup. Personally, I'm a sucker for cube cases. This happens to be my third one:
So, I was scrolling through this Tech News Today list about the best cube PC cases, and honestly? It’s a rabbit hole. If you’re like me and think standard towers are just boring boxes that take up way too much desk space, you might actually find some gems here. The whole concept of a cube case is kind of funny. You’re basically building a tiny, high-powered little cube instead of the usual skyscraper setup. It looks cool, sure, but it’s definitely a different way to manage airflow. You have to be a bit more tactical about where you shove everything if you don't want your components turning into a miniature furnace. There are a few standout options mentioned—some heavy hitters from brands like Cooler Master or Thermaltake. They've got those compact builds that look great on a minimalist desk, though I still find myself wondering if I'll regret the tight squeeze once I try to cable manage my mess of wires. It’s a gamble. A stylish, slightly cramped gamble. Anyway, if you're looking to shake up your setup and stop living in a world of vertical monoliths, it's worth a look. Just maybe keep an extra fan or two on hand. Or three. Probably four.

I’m not putting it on the desk like a wall anymore, and I’ve officially stopped putting the PC on the floor. Back when I was running those massive towers, it felt like the fans were basically vacuuming up half the dust in the entire house.

steelfalcon71 said:You read it just fine, so I'm not sure what part you're struggling with. There isn't exactly a massive problem here; I was just stating my opinion. The guy is looking for used gear because he wants to save some cash. It's not that deep.

I respect where you're coming from.

Quote: compare Hydro Series H150i Pro 360 vs Corsair vs be Quiet! Pure Rock 2 🤣
Motherboard's better too. Power supply is an upgrade, obviously. And if you're just looking at the CPU for gaming? It's all basically the same shit.

I haven't actually sat down to compare those two coolers myself. But if I were to give it a shot? I’d say it basically comes down to whether you're loaded or just someone who really cares about looking flashy. $567 So, I was looking into some CPU cooling options... just thinking about what might work best. $400 So, the Ryzen 5 5600 has a 65W TDP. Which, honestly, is what exactly? Who knows. Just one of those things you read on a spec sheet and wonder if anyone actually cares.
Standard procedure, really. You can always track one down at a decent price if you look hard enough. $267 You can find the exact same thing on eBay. 😉

Motherboards aren't actually an upgrade here. Honestly, LGA 1151 is ancient history at this point—just like my old LGA 1200 setup. And looking ahead, there's a good chance Intel's 14th gen won't even stick with LGA 1700 next year. Everything just moves on, I guess.
Unlike Intel, the AM5 platform dropped about a month or two ago. But here in the States—which is basically the biggest PC market in the world—the AM4 platform is still absolutely crushing it. Honestly, AM4 is moving five times faster than AM5 and all the Intel platforms combined. It’s kind of wild.

In two or three years, they might actually find some kind of viable replacement for an AM4 processor, but let's be real—neither you nor I are going to have any luck finding a decent CPU upgrade for our current sockets by then.

Will they actually notice a lower power bill with Ryzen, or just a tiny difference in FPS?
I can't really watch videos directly, but if you drop the transcript or a summary of what's being said, I can take a look. Just give me the gist and I'll get back to you.

If that were actually true, everyone would just be running a Ryzen 3 and a Celeron.
With this GPU, I’ve got a feeling the CPU is going to be a massive bottleneck. The only silver lining is that he's on AM4, so there's actually some room to upgrade later. That LGA1151 setup? Not much breathing room there at all.
So, looks like the Ryzen 5800 X3D is sitting at about $395 over in Germany right now. Just thought I'd mention it. Not that I'm planning a shopping spree or anything, but figures.

The only thing I really messed up was picking a mini tower case. It’s not going to fit the radiator, obviously. Honestly, I’d never go that route anyway—I'd stick to a mid tower. Everything is just getting too big these days, and you need the extra room to deal with the rising temps and massive components.

Component sizes aren't actually getting bigger across the board. It’s just individual GPUs that are turning into absolute behemoths. An mITX motherboard is still going to be an mITX motherboard, and mATX stays mATX. RAM hasn't changed much either, aside from those weird ones with way too much RGB, and processors are pretty much more of the same. Power supplies are still sticking to ATX, SFX, and whatever other standard sizes we have. FACT

People always get the "future-proofing" thing wrong. They talk about it like it's some grand master plan, but honestly, the order is always backwards. You’re going to swap out the GPU first, and then you'll deal with all that other stuff you listed later on. It just doesn't work any other way.

So, what you just said doesn't really track. If you aren't swapping out the GPU, what exactly is "growing" here?

At the end of the day, people can buy whatever makes them happy, but let's not go mixing up facts and fiction.

☕

If someone actually comes here looking for advice, they don't need you trying to upsell them on stuff they don't even need.

FACT:
The AM4 platform is still very much alive
LGA1151 is basically dead / a relic

FICTION:
You need a 380mm AIO for a 65W TDP CPU (like a 95W i5).
You need an 850W PSU for an R5600 and a 3080.

Anyway, good luck with the sales pitch. 👍

In my opinion, the biggest red flag here is the motherboard quality—it’s practically missing VRM heatsinks.

With a budget B550 like this, you get PCIe 4.0, sure, but if you care about things like power delivery, you're actually better off grabbing a mid-range B450 board.
Now, look, the S2H isn't going to kill you since the Ryzen 5600 doesn't pull much power. I’d only suggest stepping up if you're planning an upgrade to something like a 5800X3D or a 5900X down the road when prices finally drop.

Otherwise, I would never recommend liquid cooling for a budget build—especially NOT used liquid cooling... It's just common sense: you don't want something questionable that holds water anywhere near your electronics.
Not to mention, liquid cooling is a total waste of money for most CPUs, especially up to the current generation.
You can cool a 65W Ryzen with the stock cooler, and if silence is your priority, just grab any decent 120mm air cooler. The one you posted is more than enough.

wiredotter14 said:I think the biggest question mark regarding quality here is the motherboard, since it practically lacks VRM heatsinks.

With a budget B550 board like this, you get features like PCIe 4.0, but if you look at other factors—specifically power delivery—you might actually get a better deal with a mid-range B450 board.
That said, the S2H isn't necessarily a dealbreaker because the Ryzen 5600 draws very little power. I’d only suggest opting for a beefier board if you're planning on upgrading to something like a 5800X3D, a 5900X, or similar down the road when prices drop.

Also, I would never recommend liquid cooling for a budget build, especially NOT USED liquid cooling... I think it's just common sense that putting something questionable in terms of reliability—something containing water—isn't a great idea to pair with electronics.
Not to mention, liquid cooling is completely overkill for most CPUs, especially up to the current generation.
You can cool a 65W Ryzen with the stock cooler, and if silence is your priority, any decent 120mm air cooler will do. The one you posted is more than enough.

Well, my plan is to run this rig for maybe 2-3 years max. I mostly just play Warzone with my crew and nothing else really. Maybe some light gaming here and there, but that's it. My PC is primarily for 3D modeling and rendering where the software is almost 100% GPU-based, so this Ryzen 5600 is perfect for me, and an RTX 3070 is going to absolutely fly compared to my current GTX 1060.

The bang-for-your-buck ratio on this build is solid, assuming you can actually snag those prices and everything plays nice once it's built.

👍

P.S.

Keep an eye out for someone offloading a motherboard, CPU, and RAM combo because they're jumping over to AM5 or LGA1700. If you get lucky and stumble onto a decent deal, you could score something great. Honestly, looking at the market right now, prices are a mess. People are trying to sell stuff for 20-30% less than what it cost brand new five years ago. It's delusional.

Buying used computer parts is just asking for trouble. You never know what kind of junk people are trying to offload on you...
I remember once I ordered a motherboard for my laptop online, and the thing was a total dud from the second I plugged it in. Just dead on arrival $400. And the seller? Good luck getting them to even respond to an email, let alone give you your money back.

Look, if you're already planning on upgrading to something much newer and faster soon anyway, why risk flushing your hard-earned cash down the toilet on secondhand hardware?