It is still possible to build a PC with $1600
Posted by Southern-Standard300@reddit | buildapc | View on Reddit | 48 comments
Look, I have a gaming laptop and honestly I'd like to sell it to buy a PC, but my budget is $1600 and with all the AI issues, I was wondering if it's still possible to build a good PC for that price
GABE_EDD@reddit
100% yes. Do you live near a microcenter?
ImRealyBoored@reddit
Sorry but im Canadian + new here and im wondering what the hype behind microcenter is?
Puzzleheaded-West159@reddit
They have really good value bundles, that can save hundreds for PC building these days if you are a budget.
They are also the greatest PC building /tech store chain in the United States.
Liringlass@reddit
Crazy times that 1600 dollars is now a budget computer :)
baverdi@reddit
https://www.microcenter.com/search/search_results.aspx?fq=category:Computer+Parts+Bundles|773&rd=1
Y0S_H1L0TL25@reddit
OMG HI FELLOW CANADIAN! It is possible, but YMMV, depending on If you plan on windows Or Linux and What specs you’re going for, especially with Ramaggedon
ComprehensiveOil6890@reddit
Before the ram crisis, microcenter usually sell a 3 parts bundle CPU Ram and Motherboard at a very discounted price example they have 9800x3d and x870 motherboard they throw in a kit of 32gb ddr5 6000 for the total of 500 usd
jhaluska@reddit
They have good bundle sales in hopes to make it up on the rest of the build.
OgreTrax71@reddit
Right now: Bundles. A CPU, RAM, Motherboard bundle can save you hundreds.
Dadchilies@reddit
microcenter is also on amazon now!!
GABE_EDD@reddit
What? There’s no way. They don’t even offer shipping on their own site. Can you link it?
Dadchilies@reddit
https://www.amazon.com/sp?ie=UTF8&seller=A1UVTGP6WV0D1P&asin=B0FRFTFQ6F&ref_=dp_merchant_link&isAmazonFulfilled=1
GABE_EDD@reddit
It doesn’t appear any of their real bundles are on Amazon. https://www.microcenter.com/site/content/bundle-and-save.aspx
Dadchilies@reddit
https://www.amazon.com/s?k=microcenter&crid=1038023AKKAP1&sprefix=microcente%2Caps%2C263&ref=nb_sb_noss_2
Puzzleheaded-West159@reddit
If you live near a microcenter, I can build you a PC, that will be better than any sub $2500 gaming laptop for $1k.
GABE_EDD@reddit
A bit of an overstatement, especially in the current pricing hellscape. And also, a laptop effectively includes monitor and keyboard which affects the total price.
Puzzleheaded-West159@reddit
Shhh
https://pcpartpicker.com/list/Vh8RJw
GABE_EDD@reddit
Yeah definitely an overstatement, this is comfortably less than $2500 lol https://www.newegg.com/msi-16-geforce-rtx-5080-laptop-gpu-intel-core-ultra-9-275hx-16gb-memory-1-tb-ssd/p/N82E16834156737?item=N82E16834156737
prank_mark@reddit
The 1K claim is definitely an overstatement, but don't forget that a laptop 5080 isn't the same as a desktop 5080. It's about the same as and usually slightly worse than a desktop 5070.
Puzzleheaded-West159@reddit
How is it an overstatement? It beat like 80-90% of them.
Add in a keyboard ($100) and monitor ($200) and it will still be less than that laptop
This desktop is better than that laptop in performance - imo
also most people don't know the good laptops / deal to buy
thatonegoodpost@reddit
Why don't the RAM, CPU and Motherboard have a price on that listing?
Y0S_H1L0TL25@reddit
OP is From Canada 🍁
gward1@reddit
That's how much 2 sticks of RAM cost, so no.
TopExplanation138@reddit
Yes, this build is a decent 14400 machine and a beast 1080p machine.
PCPartPicker Part List
prank_mark@reddit
If you go AM4 with a 5600x + B550 + 32GB 3200 DDR4 you could even save another $300 or so
ArchegosRiskManager@reddit
I’d go 7600 if you don’t need 8 cores
Actuary_Beginning@reddit
You dont need a 7700x, a 7600 will be enough for 1440p, could maybe use that money elsewhere
Y0S_H1L0TL25@reddit
That’s Almost 2300 CAD
Automaticman01@reddit
The person who said they were in Canada was not OP.
Y0S_H1L0TL25@reddit
SHOOT MY BAD SORRY
thatonegoodpost@reddit
Wish the OP had specified that. Or that this subreddit had flairs for nationality/market. I do appreciate the above list though as I'm in the US market and have a similar budget.
Y0S_H1L0TL25@reddit
Yeah, The bad thing is Out dollar isn’t worth as much, 1600 CAD is A little under 1200 USD
Quaccccck@reddit
1600$ you can build a decent PC for sure. You can try newegg for parts or maybe canada computers have sale? Idk. I saw microcentres have better sales in the U.S, maybe you can still get them online?
Tquilha@reddit
Let's see, shall we?
Remember this: PCPartPicker is your friend.
So, a complete system(PC, monitor, keyboard, mouse and speakers) for 1600 USD...
Here you go: https://pcpartpicker.com/list/n7BfH3.
Not the latest and greatest but should last you quite a long time and can be easily upgraded after.
Have fun :)
misteryk@reddit
PCPartPicker Part List: https://pcpartpicker.com/list/GwnsZQ
CPU: Intel Core Ultra 5 250K Plus 4.2 GHz 18-Core Processor ($219.99 @ B&H)
CPU Cooler: Thermalright Peerless Assassin 120 SE 66.17 CFM CPU Cooler ($34.90 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: ASRock B860 Rock WiFi 7 ATX LGA1851 Motherboard ($139.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: Corsair Vengeance 32 GB (2 x 16 GB) DDR5-6000 CL36 Memory ($317.50 @ Amazon)
Storage: Patriot P400 Lite 1 TB M.2-2280 PCIe 4.0 X4 NVME Solid State Drive ($131.99 @ Newegg)
Video Card: MSI SHADOW 2X OC GeForce RTX 5070 12 GB Video Card ($629.99 @ Best Buy)
Case: Phanteks XT PRO ATX Mid Tower Case ($49.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: be quiet! Pure Power 13 M 750 W 80+ Gold Certified Fully Modular ATX Power Supply ($94.90 @ Amazon)
Total: $1619.25
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2026-04-11 14:31 EDT-0400
IWillAssFuckYou@reddit
You'll have even more to spend if you let me do username things
Dadchilies@reddit
100% yes, easily
Sithil83@reddit
If you're not able to part out a list, do you have a Costco near by for a possible decent pre built?
UpstairsConnection57@reddit
Not in Canada.
Y0S_H1L0TL25@reddit
ooopsie daisy
Dwarf-Eater@reddit
Either microcenter for their bundles or watch Newegg for some good prebuilt sales from time to time. I'm sure Newegg has some good prebuilts as well
Y0S_H1L0TL25@reddit
I was wrong sorry, they aren’t from canada
Y0S_H1L0TL25@reddit
OP is Canadian
Y0S_H1L0TL25@reddit
Depending on what games you plan on playing, i’ll try to Make you a pcpp list with 1600 cad
TiredYoungg@reddit
Yes, in 2026, $1600 is still a good gaming PC budget—realistically, you can build a system that comfortably runs games at 1440p high settings with an RTX 4070/5070-level graphics card, a Ryzen 5/7 or Intel equivalent processor, 32GB of RAM, and fast NVMe storage; while prices have become a bit tighter due to changes in the RAM/GPU market, it still offers a much better price/performance ratio compared to a gaming laptop.
OgreTrax71@reddit
Something like this is doable. You can get some upgrades if you have access to microcenter for bundle. The RAMand SSD are killing this price to performance.
oldsnowcoyote@reddit
Canada computers bundles is probably your best bet. Maybe this is to much
https://www.canadacomputers.com/en/amd-desktop-processors/284959/amd-r5-7600x3d-cpu-msi-pro-b850m-a-wifi-motherboard-t-force-32gb-d5-6000mhz-cl30-ram.html
But they also have 9600x bundles for less.
No_Spare1827@reddit
PCPartPicker Part List
Its very possible if u are in the US, prices on some stuff recently went down and its lookin pretty good for the $1500 and up budgets. This is a pretty solid build that gets u a great experience now and leaves a lot of room for upgrades later and some room to customize the looks if u want