Optimize your setup with a budget-friendly combo of Mobo, CPU, and RAM.
Optimize your setup with a budget-friendly combo of Mobo, CPU, and RAM.
Hey! For your gaming setup, you might want to consider a budget-friendly combo within your £100-£150 range. A Z77 motherboard paired with an i7-3770K and 16GB RAM fits the bill. If you're open to older parts, checking second-hand options could help you find a good deal. Let me know if you need more specific suggestions!
It's simple to locate first-generation Ryzen 5 1600 models paired with affordable motherboards. Generally, I recommend opting for a more recent chipset that supports DDR4 rather than the older 3.
It makes sense to check newer equipment beyond Ivy Bridge. This is partly for durability (Z77 boards are becoming scarce due to age) and partly because current prices aren’t worth it anymore. Early Ryzen options offer some of the best value you’ll find. On eBay, R5 3600s are available for roughly £60–90, depending on the seller. B450 boards sit around £40–60, while 16GB of DDR4 memory costs about £20–30. If you average these prices, you should be close to your £150 budget, not counting any bundle discounts. This is just a quick look at UK eBay; if you were targeting better deals, you might find cheaper items near £125 or less, especially with local listings which often run lower.
Thank you all for your support! I chose AMD for the first time and selected a Ryzen 3600 build that fits my budget.