Budget College Brawler

8 parts · $1246.21 estimated · Created Aug 7, 2026

Parts list

AMD Ryzen 5 55006C/12T · 4.2 GHz boostAMD$81.99Amazon ↗Newegg ↗
Crucial E100 (Green)1TB · PCIe 4.0 NVMeCrucial$162.35Amazon ↗Newegg ↗
XFX Swift Radeon RX 9060 XT (Black)8GB VRAM · 270mm longXFX$449.99Amazon ↗Newegg ↗
Montech Century II (Silver)850W · ATXMontech$89.90Amazon ↗Newegg ↗
GIGABYTE B550M GAMING X WIFI6RAM ≤3200GIGABYTE$128.00↓ AmazonAmazon ↗Newegg ↗
Corsair Vengeance LPX (Black)DDR4-3600 · CL18 · 2×16GB (32GB)Corsair$229.00Newegg ↗
Antec P30 Air (Black)fits GPU ≤405mm · cooler ≤175mmAntec$79.99Amazon ↗Newegg ↗
ID-COOLING FROZN A400 (Black)Air tower · 123mm tallID-COOLING$24.99Amazon ↗

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FBuild Score 58/100Build needs major changes for 1440p gaming. Start here: 39 fps median across 5 demanding games at 1440p · 20% above 60 fps, 0% above 100 · via howmanyfps.

Choose a use case to see how this build scores for it:

1440p gaming: Build needs major changes for 1440p gaming. Start here: 39 fps median across 5 demanding games at 1440p · 20% above 60 fps, 0% above 100 · via howmanyfps.

How to improve · 2 pts to D

Expected performancecosting ~16 pts

39 fps median across 5 demanding games at 1440p · 20% above 60 fps, 0% above 100 · via HowManyFPS

CPU/GPU balancecosting ~14 pts

GPU-limited — measured at the 1080p reference, a stronger GPU would unlock about +79% with this CPU (median 49 fps today). CPU: entry-level, GPU: mid-range.

Open in builder to apply these →

Expected FPSfollows the Build Score scenario

Expected FPS · 1440p

For Ryzen 5 5500 + RX 9060 XT, default settings. Estimates only. Your actual framerate may be higher or lower.

Counter-Strike 2
2560×1440 · High
143 avg
94 1% low
Cyberpunk 2077
2560×1440
53 avg
39 1% low
Black Myth: Wukong
2560×1440 · High · RT Off
13 avg
9 1% low
Hogwarts Legacy
2560×1440 · High · RT Off
39 avg
22 1% low
Alan Wake 2
2560×1440 · High · RT Off
33 avg
31 1% low
Call of Duty: Black Ops 6
2560×1440 · Ultra
78 avg
50 1% low

Estimates via HowManyFPS · cached up to 24 hours.

Why these are estimates?

These numbers are model-predicted averages, not measured benchmarks of your specific system. Treat them as ballpark guidance, not a promise. Real framerate depends on:

Your full system (RAM speed, storage, drivers, OS, background load)
In-game scene complexity, multiplayer player count, mods
Driver updates and game patches after this estimate was made
Display, thermals, and how your case manages airflow

If you want a measured number for your specific build, the only reliable answer is to benchmark it yourself once you own the parts.

Balance

GPU-bound (50%)

GPU-limited at 1440p gaming — measured against real FPS data, a stronger GPU would unlock about +130% with this CPU (median 39 fps → ~76 fps across 5 demanding AAA games).

Compatibility

All checks pass

Power

PSU Excellent · 368W draw / 850W

Physical fit

GPU + cooler clear the case

Spec-sheet guidance. Verify before buying.