[Forgeties79]

$500 is 5x what it cost less than a year ago, just for context. It turns a $1600 computer build into a $2000 one. That’s a huge difference.

Edit: I don’t get your math. If we’re using a very generous definition of “top end,” even neglecting Nvidia and going AMD - which some would argue makes it not top end - you’re talking conservatively: $600 for a GPU, $500 for 32gb of ram, and $500 for a CPU. $1600 before PSU, case, SSD, fan(s), mobo…there’s no world in which you’re coming in under $2k. The SSD and board will put you over immediately.

You’re talking 3/2025 prices, not 3/2026. A compromise, mid-range computer is $1500 to build now.

[corimaith]

A 5080 is 1.5K, A 5090 is even more. 1600 to 2000 is not really a large difference at the price band where you are spending that much money, especially since you would heavily comprising in other components if you want to keep that budget, in which that case you don't need 32gb RAM.

That is to say, if you want a system that keeps up with 32 GB Ram, you'd be already willing to spend alot what with options for noctua fans, water cooling, higher end MOBOs, premium cases, OLEDs etc. If you can't afford that then you won't be buying expensive DDRD5 RAM either.

[Forgeties79]

A 9060 is like $450, an XT is like $550. Depending on what you’re using that computer for it could be more than enough firepower. There are tons of people not paying the Nvidia tax because they have a plenty viable build with AMD.

I built my current PC (9800x3D, 9060, 32gb DDR6) last April for about $1800. It would cost almost $3000 now between storage and ram increases. The economics have completely shifted. Everything is more expensive except basically the PSU and case

[corimaith]

9060 is mid-tier, buying a 9800X3D and DDR6 RAM is overkill because the GPU won't keep up with their performance.

AMD has no equivalent to NVidia in the high end, it isn't tax as it is functional monopoly

[Forgeties79]

We aren’t debating AMD vs. Nvidia and I shouldn’t have gotten distracted with it tbh. I am talking about what it takes to build a computer now.

Ram and storage have ballooned PC costs. That’s the issue. Whether you are buying an AMD GPU or an Nvidia GPU, it is still substantially increasing build costs. Nobody is spending $1500 on an Nvidia GPU and then going “well nothing else matters now.” The ram and storage has gone from $200-$300 to $800-$1000. That’s still a huge portion of the budget. They’ve gone from near-line item status to 1/3rd (or more) of the cost. Affordable builds have become incredibly difficult to achieve

[Forgeties79]

Also just randomly realized I kept saying 9060 when I meant 9070.

[mahirsaid]

Look at my comment above and see what i said about my build. I was unwilling to pay that for a moderate build that can sustain my computer use. Utilize bundles that can save you $ on RAM or chipset, CPU to skip some of the costs.

[Forgeties79]

You aren't specific in your comment. Where are these bundles? What do you do with all the parts you don't need/end up swapping out? How much are you actually saving?

[mahirsaid]

I went to micro center and they usually have decent priced bundles. RAM was G Skill flare 32gb sticks. Im not being specific in the previous post. because there is many ways to save depending on what your willing to trust. Best Buy open box/new, Micro center open box/new, Walmart has pretty good prices depending what your looking for. Ebay is iffy depending on the product your looking for GPU are expensive at the moment.

[Forgeties79]

Microcenter is not available for the vast majority of us - they don’t ship. The nearest one to me is an almost 8hr drive and I live in a major city. I’m not spending 2 days and $200-$300 on gas/food/lodging to get there and back.

Bestbuy is selling ram and storage at the same cost as everyone else. I imagine Walmart is not much better. I’m also not sure what you do with all the bundle parts that you don’t need. Do you sell them? Where do you sell them?

What deals did you take advantage of? What did everything cost you in the end/when did you build? If you don’t feel like answering that’s fine but it’s valid to remain skeptical given all the evidence to the contrary. Perhaps you’re just really good at finding deals but you can look around this thread and see that we are all telling the same story. Building a computer has gone up $600+ for common builds over the last 4-5mo on top of the already inflated GPU prices we’ve been experiencing for years. If you put my exact build I did last April into PC part picker it is an additional $500+ to build now, and that’s with an AMD GPU to keep costs down.

It’s strange times when Mac minis are a budget-friendly computer. Building a half decent PC for less than $1500 is a serious challenge now. Things are so volatile valve still hasn’t released or even set a price for the new Steam machine.

[mahirsaid]

Microcenter is useful if it's near you then your out of luck. Other stores depends on your egion and location same store gives different deals and discounts based on regional selling trends.

I'm not sure what you expecting to hear. What do i do with parts I'm not gonna use? What are you talking about? Don't get the bundle is you're not going to use what the bundle comes with, simple as that. Have you not shopped before?

Currently computer components are not cheap and it does not look like it's getting any better.

I currently have two moderately good laptop that either i sell or keep for back up.