Would you like to repair your old computer or create a fresh one for Indiana Jones?
Would you like to repair your old computer or create a fresh one for Indiana Jones?
My computer failed in December. It was a budget build under $600 featuring a B450 motherboard, Ryzen 5 3600 processor, 32GB DDR4 3200MHz RAM, 512GB M.2 SSD, and a 750W power supply that I assembled in early 2021 but eventually gave up on due to unavailable GPUs. It became functional again this October with an RTX 3050 6GB for $165, achieving around 180 FPS in Black Ops 6 at the lowest settings in 1080p using DLSS.
However, about two months later, the GPU’s DisplayPort connection failed, forcing me to switch to an HDMI cable. This caused display issues and frequent restarts. Eventually, it stopped booting entirely—so I removed the RAM and tried opening the CPU, but without fully unscrewing it or taking off the thermal paste, the pins broke. It seems the socket might still be usable, but I’m unsure if I should trust this machine anymore. Both the CPU and GPU were completely removed, leaving the unit unplugged.
Now I’m back to work, earning a steady income again. I’m torn about whether to try salvaging my old rig or build something new to meet the needs of Indiana Jones and the Great Circle. That game is currently the benchmark with demanding requirements.
If I decide to salvage it, what components should I install? Most people suggest a Ryzen 5 5600 for budget builds, but if I’m limited to AM4, I might upgrade to a 5700X3D. For the GPU, I have no idea—do I need 12GB of VRAM? Cards start around $400, and even a 3060 is pricey. Will it work at all? Is the CPU socket still compatible? There are other unknown issues. It feels like a hassle for a machine that wasn’t great to begin with.
The Indiana Jones build I found on NewEgg costs $1,093.33. It has a B650 motherboard, Ryzen 7 7700 CPU, RX 7700 XT GPU, 32GB DDR5 6000MHz RAM, 1TB Gen 4x4 SSD, and a 750W PSU. It only meets the minimum ray tracing requirements, which is just enough for basic tasks.
What advice would you give? I’m leaning toward a new build instead of the one I assembled. Would it be better to choose a different configuration than what I picked? I’m using it on a 200Hz 1080p monitor with inexpensive USB/3.5mm speakers.
512GB M.2 SSD, and 750W PSU
Make and model of your PSU(and it's age) as well as the make and model of your M.2 drive? You could recycle the 512GB drive to have as your C:, with the OS, app's and launchers on it. You've generically listed your specs, we generally ask for the make and models of your parts to see if you have dodgy players within the build.
1TB Gen 4x4 SSD, and 750W PSU
Or are you trying to recycle your existing PSU?
What would you recommend?
If you're going to build a system from the ground up, you make sure you're putting in quality components to sere you dividends in the long run. Then again, if the series of mishaps on your build might be the result of an electrical problem, then I'd suggest making sure your wall out is sorted out(after you call in a certified electrician) otherwise you'll see a repeat of the gremlins seen in your old build. To add, if you're not going to go beyond 1080p, you're dropping in a lot of money either which way.
Beyond sending the PC to a repair shop for board and memory checks, there’s little else worth saving except the storage. I’d prefer to start fresh.
For GPUs that meet basic ray tracing needs, here are some options:
- Intel B580 12GB (if available) or B570 10GB – these are more affordable and easier to source.
- Intel A770 16GB – older model but still functional; drivers are improving steadily (around 400GB now, possibly higher).
- RTX 5060Ti 16GB – skip the 8GB variant.
- RTX 5070 12GB – the most budget-friendly at about $610.
- RX 9070 GRE 12GB – potential value, though lower VRAM may affect performance.
- RX 9070 16GB – likely too expensive currently, but could drop in price.
- Radeon 7000 series – best for higher-end builds; 7900XT and 7900XTX offer solid ray tracing now. 7900 GRE if available. 7800XT is a bit pricey for its performance, suitable mainly for raster tasks.
- B580 for $310 – a good deal compared to similar models.
You might also look into the used GPU market; a 3080 or 4060 Ti could be a practical choice. It’s worth comparing prices and checking availability.
If you’re close to a Microcenter, that’s probably the most convenient location in the US for purchasing a GPU.
I plan to assemble a new PC tailored to satisfy the recommended specs for Indiana Jones and the Great Circle, including full path tracing. The components currently in my Newegg cart are a Ryzen 7 7700 processor, RTX 5070 Ti graphics card, 32GB DDR5 6000 CL30 RAM, B650M WiFi motherboard, and a micro ATX case. The 750W power supply and a 512GB M.2 SSD from my previous build will be reused after the last one failed in December. The total cost for all these items comes to $1,482.64. Upgrading the SSD to a 1TB version would increase the price to $1,542.19.
Is this investment justified? Does the game truly deliver quality enough to justify such an expense? Are there alternative path tracing titles that could make this build worthwhile? Would it be more sensible to skip Indiana Jones and construct a budget PC for $500 to run whatever I want, including 1080p ultra at 120FPS without DLSS?
This setup will run on a 200Hz 1080p display.
Indiana Jones seems interesting at first. I actually stopped playing it. The puzzles are a lot, and maybe I'll try again later. Path tracing doesn't seem to help much. The graphics card market is currently strong.
Unreal engine 5 games put a lot of strain on graphics cards. It seems they thought there would be more performance available overall when they built them. The Lumen ray traced lighting appears good, though. You don't need to rely on 120fps in UE5 games; frame generation isn't required even for the Oblivion remastered version I'm playing, which still delivers 60 to 80 fps while looking great.
I have a 5060ti with 16gb of RAM. You definitely want frame generation and DLSS, but maybe turning those off would help. With DLSS and frame generation enabled, I can reach over 100fps on Oblivion Remastered using mostly high settings. It runs around the 50s and 60s without those features unless I adjust other settings more. The 5070ti is a solid card, but if you’re buying this PC, don’t get it just for one game. There’s no problem with a budget build that sacrifices performance until you upgrade later. In my situation, the 5060ti 16gb is enough to keep me going until I can afford better or the market improves. For example, getting a 9070xt for MSRP would be ideal.
On the topic of a compromise build, today’s video reminded me how powerful a cheap i7 12700k/kf can be on a mid-range system if you’re on a budget and want to play anything.
I did it. I had some bills to settle and, although I could have kept it, it felt like the right move to sell it to help cover that expense. I bought the 5060ti 16gb at the actual MSRP and managed to get the xtx for about double its value.
The xtx didn’t seem very practical. Yet honestly, after seeing the new GPU releases, I might have felt a bit guilty for not choosing something with more advanced features like FSR 4, given its price. Once my situation improves, I’ll likely think about upgrading to models such as the 5070ti or a 9070/9070xt if they become available. I’m also curious about the idea of an 18gb 5070 super, which would be something I’d seriously consider. At this point, a 4k card like the xtx isn’t necessary for me.