Budget College Brawler

8 parts · $1189.70 estimated · Created Aug 7, 2026

Parts list

AMD Ryzen 5 55006C/12T · 4.2 GHz boostAMD$71.99Amazon ↗Newegg ↗
Crucial E100 (Green)1TB · PCIe 4.0 NVMeCrucial$159.95Amazon ↗Newegg ↗
XFX Swift Radeon RX 9060 XT (Black)8GB VRAM · 270mm longXFX$399.99Amazon ↗Newegg ↗
Montech Century II (Silver)850W · ATXMontech$89.90Amazon ↗Newegg ↗
GIGABYTE B550M GAMING X WIFI6RAM ≤3200GIGABYTE$150.89↓ AmazonAmazon ↗Newegg ↗
Corsair Vengeance LPX (Black)DDR4-3600 · CL18 · 2×16GB (32GB)Corsair$209.00Newegg ↗
Antec P30 Air (Black)fits GPU ≤405mm · cooler ≤175mmAntec$82.99Amazon ↗Newegg ↗
ID-COOLING FROZN A400 (Black)Air tower · 123mm tallID-COOLING$24.99Amazon ↗

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DBuild Score 63/100Needs attention for 1440p gaming — start with GPU tier 2/3, 8/8GB VRAM target · based on spec heuristic.

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

1440p gaming: Needs attention for 1440p gaming — start with GPU tier 2/3, 8/8GB VRAM target · based on spec heuristic.

How to improve · 7 pts to C

CPU/GPU balancecosting ~14 pts

GPU-limited — measured at the 1080p reference, a stronger GPU would unlock about +89% with this CPU (median 85 fps today). CPU: entry-level, GPU: mid-range.

Expected performancecosting ~13 pts

GPU tier 2/3, 8/8GB VRAM target · based on spec heuristic

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.

Cyberpunk 2077
2560×1440 · High
77 avg
57 1% low
Black Myth: Wukong
2560×1440 · High · RT Off
31 avg
23 1% low
Hogwarts Legacy
2560×1440 · High
73 avg
43 1% low
Alan Wake 2
2560×1440 · High · RT Off
41 avg
30 1% low
Call of Duty: Black Ops 6
2560×1440 · Ultra
80 avg
53 1% low
Counter-Strike 2
2560×1440 · High
277 avg
196 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 +112% with this CPU (median 73 fps → ~115 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.