Consider your needs and research thoroughly before deciding.
Consider your needs and research thoroughly before deciding.
If I were assembling this system, I’d opt for a Micro ATX design and purchase a Gigabyte B460M D3SH for $85. The i5-10600KF would be my preferred processor. This approach also helps cut costs on the case since you can choose a mini tower instead of a full one. A decent mini tower typically costs around $60. The Freezer 34 eSports Duo works well as a CPU cooler if you prefer a white build, though it’s not the only option. If you’re okay with a brown motherboard, the B460M Pro4 is sufficient—it features white VRMs and a black PCB, just $15 more than the previous choice.
Choose either the 10700f or pay extra for a 5600x if you want AMD. Decide later which cooler suits you best. If you must cut costs, the 10400f is also a decent budget pick—but only if you really need to save every penny. Look for K/KF or non-f models at the same price.