Best PC Emulator setups?

Can anyone suggest a decent pre-built setup for 4K$1667 without any peripherals?
I don't really need anything beefy enough for modern AAA titles; I’m mostly looking at emulation stuff.
Think Batocera, RetroArch, that kind of vibe.

What do you guys think about this one?

Or maybe this instead?

They're both used machines.

My budget is sitting right around $1667.

Honestly, I haven't kept up with the scene in ages, so I'm feeling a little lost on where to even start.

Robin Clark said:Can anyone suggest a decent pre-built setup for 4K$1667 without any peripherals?
I don't really need anything beefy enough for modern AAA titles; I’m mostly looking at emulation stuff.
Think Batocera, RetroArch, that kind of vibe.

What do you guys think about this one?

Or maybe this instead?

They're both used machines.

My budget is sitting right around $1667.

Honestly, I haven't kept up with the scene in ages, so I'm feeling a little lost on where to even start.

Why not just go with an Arduino?

granitecrane2 said:Why not just go with an Arduino?

I've been looking into those mini PCs and Android boxes, but honestly, they feel way overpriced for what you actually get.
If you're looking to run emulators, I think a mid-range setup like the ones mentioned above is probably your best bang for your buck.

That said, I haven't really kept up with the scene in ages. I'm a little out of the loop, so I could definitely use some help picking the right gear.

So, let's play a little game. If you were putting together a build specifically for $1667, what would be your go-to setup?

I'd probably put together something fresh with integrated graphics—should be plenty for running emulators.

Say, a build centered around this https://www.amazon.com/AMD-Ryzen-5-5600G-Processor/dp/B09V6R1C6W

You get a current-gen processor and decent onboard graphics, plus you can always slap in a dedicated GPU later if you actually need one.

Thanks,
Does anyone have a good guide for building a PC? I've never actually put together my own rig before.

Do I need to buy things like cables, screws, and stuff like that separately?

I know it sounds a bit silly, but this is all brand new to me.

thanks

For example...

CPU AMD RYZEN 5-5600G (3.9GHZ UP TO 4.4GHZ, 19MB (3MB+16MB), C/T: 6/12, AM4, COOLER, 65W, RADEON GRAPHICS), 36MJ
MB MSI B550M Pro VDH-Wifi, AM4, micro ATX, 4x DDR4, AMD B450, 36mj (7C95-017R)
SSD WD 500GB, Blue SN550, WDS500G2B0C, M2 2280, M.2, NVMe, 36mj
Power Supply LC Power Silver 560W GreenPower3 LC6560GP3 V2.3, ATX, 140mm, 80 plus Silver, 24mj
DDR4 16GB (2x8GB), DDR4 3600, CL18, DIMM 288-pin, G.Skill RipjawsV F4-3600C18D-16GVK, 36mj
Case Zalman S2 TG, BLACK, ATX, 24MJ

$1.25 - Telebit

Alright, here's what I've got so far:

CPU:

MBO:

SSD:

Power Supply:

RAM:

Case:

When I add this to my cart on Amazon, it comes out to about $1517$
. Could you please double-check everything one more time? I think I'm finally ready to pull the trigger and order this.

I might swap out this SSD for a 1TB version instead, so if you have any recommendations, let me know!

Also, total "dumb question" here, but will this order include everything I actually need for the build?
Like cables, wires, screws, mounting brackets...?
And I'm assuming I'll need some thermal paste too, right?

Robin Clark said:Alright, here's what I've got so far:

CPU:

MBO:

SSD:

Power Supply:

RAM:

Case:

When I add this to my cart on Amazon, it comes out to about $1517$
. Could you please double-check everything one more time? I think I'm finally ready to pull the trigger and order this.

I might swap out this SSD for a 1TB version instead, so if you have any recommendations, let me know!

Also, total "dumb question" here, but will this order include everything I actually need for the build?
Like cables, wires, screws, mounting brackets...?
And I'm assuming I'll need some thermal paste too, right?

It’s all included. Thermal paste comes pre-applied on the stock cooler.
Though if crimsonstag84 put everything in one shop to have them assemble it, most US retailers will do the build for free when you buy the whole rig, and the warranty stays per component.

Anyway, if you aren't planning an upgrade to a high-end GPU, I'd rather go with one of these power supplies from better manufacturers. They're plenty.
Specifically, I'd grab a Seasonic over that LC Power any day. 500W is enough (but not really :/) .

https://www.telebit.com/power-supply-unit-20mm-36mj.html
https://www.telebit.com/power-supply-unit-6mj-bn245.html
https://www.telebit.com/power-supply-unit-onze-36mj.html

https://www.telebit.com/power-supply-unit-6mj-bn300.html

Dunno. Maybe that LC Power Silver is fine.

Robin Clark said:Alright, here's what I've got so far:

CPU:

MBO:

SSD:

Power Supply:

RAM:

Case:

When I add this to my cart on Amazon, it comes out to about $1517$
. Could you please double-check everything one more time? I think I'm finally ready to pull the trigger and order this.

I might swap out this SSD for a 1TB version instead, so if you have any recommendations, let me know!

Also, total "dumb question" here, but will this order include everything I actually need for the build?
Like cables, wires, screws, mounting brackets...?
And I'm assuming I'll need some thermal paste too, right?

Whoops, I accidentally bumped a component out of my cart 😬 It should be around $1483. I guess that LC Power model is actually a bit better than Hexe or those other 80+ units. It’s probably on par with that beQuiet! model.

Here is the 1TB option:

Shush. You get an extra year of warranty, even if the wattage is lower. If he isn't planning on slapping a beefier GPU in there later, I’d go with that one. But hey, if that LC Power is actually on par with the Hexe Pro, then it's a solid buy.

btw crimsonstag84, do they actually assemble these things themselves?

Thanks everyone! I'll probably just pull the trigger on this order once I get home from work today.

I'm planning to grab a beefier Power Supply just to leave some wiggle room in case I decide to pick up a GPU down the road.

Quick question about the assembly—since I'm getting everything from the same shop, can they put it all together for me? I didn't see a specific build service listed on their site, so should I give them a call or something?

What kind of graphics card would you recommend for this build?

Man, I think I've officially caught the PC building bug.

So, that Power Supply crimsonstag84 was pointing out is fine.

If you want to step it up a notch, look for Gold efficiency—better quality overall:

EDIT:
He listed them but they were out of stock... missed that.
With this setup, you can pretty much throw almost any GPU in there later.
https://www.telebit.com/power-supply-unit-gold-36mj.html
The Seasonic comes with a 5-year warranty.

As for GPUs... right now, the market is a total disaster. A decent card costs a fortune; it’ll blow your budget wide open.
Plus, if you're buying a dedicated GPU from the jump, you don't need a processor with integrated graphics.
If you want a GPU right away, tell me your total budget, but I wouldn't go over $3--$1333 more than that.
It's highly likely the GPU market will stabilize in a year or so, so you might land a much better deal then.

And whenever you finally do pull the trigger on a GPU... it depends on what you actually need and what you play. Maybe something like a 6600 XT (which is sitting around $1667, but should be closer to... maybe $200-$250)

P.S.

Never messed with Telebit before (but they’re a legitimate outfit, not some shady basement operation). Your best bet is to just give them a ring and ask if they can handle the assembly.

wiredotter14 said:P.S.

Never messed with Telebit before (but they’re a legitimate outfit, not some shady basement operation). Your best bet is to just give them a ring and ask if they can handle the assembly.

thanks

wiredotter14 said:So, that Power Supply crimsonstag84 was pointing out is fine.

If you want to step it up a notch, look for Gold efficiency—better quality overall:

EDIT:
He listed them but they were out of stock... missed that.
With this setup, you can pretty much throw almost any GPU in there later.
https://www.telebit.com/power-supply-unit-gold-36mj.html
The Seasonic comes with a 5-year warranty.

As for GPUs... right now, the market is a total disaster. A decent card costs a fortune; it’ll blow your budget wide open.
Plus, if you're buying a dedicated GPU from the jump, you don't need a processor with integrated graphics.
If you want a GPU right away, tell me your total budget, but I wouldn't go over $3--$1333 more than that.
It's highly likely the GPU market will stabilize in a year or so, so you might land a much better deal then.

And whenever you finally do pull the trigger on a GPU... it depends on what you actually need and what you play. Maybe something like a 6600 XT (which is sitting around $1667, but should be closer to... maybe $200-$250)

Oh, I didn't realize the GPU situation was that messy.
Maybe I got a little ahead of myself.
I don't really need a PC that can crush massive AAA titles anyway—they don't interest me, and honestly, modern AAA gaming feels kind of dull.
That first setup crimsonstag84 suggested is already more than enough for what I actually care about doing.

Hey everyone, I need some help here,

So, I was doing a little digging online and stumbled upon someone claiming that this specific combo—the MSI B550M PRO-VHD motherboard paired with an AMD RYZEN 5 5600G—just doesn't work.
The system gets stuck in a constant reboot loop.

He did his own homework and found a few threads on Reddit and some Amazon reviews that seem to back up what he's saying.

He tried everything he could think of, including flashing the BIOS to the latest version, but no luck.
When he reached out to MSI support, they basically brushed him off and told him to talk to the retailer instead.
He’s convinced MSI knows about this issue but is just ignoring it, even though they officially claim the board supports that CPU.

Here's my dilemma: I already placed the order. It's a "buy now, pay later" situation, so I haven't actually sent the money yet.
I'm going to call them tomorrow to see if I can swap things out before it processes.
I want to grab a different motherboard instead of this one.
Does anyone have a solid recommendation to replace this MSI B550M PRO-VHD?

Just to recap, here is the build I currently have on order:
CPU:

Motherboard:

SSD:

Power Supply:

RAM:

Case: