Build Your Own

Note: The downside of building your own PC is that you will likely need to learn how to assemble it. You can follow this video tutorial, which is very detailed. The advantage is the flexibility to choose components, allowing you to get a better configuration for the same price.

• Assembly Video 1
• Assembly Video 2
• Assembly Video 3

Guiding Principle: Mainly refer to the store configuration from Bilibili's "装机猿". My first desktop was purchased from this store, and I didn't build it myself. The CPU baseline is 6 cores and 12 threads, which is what my current computer uses. The graphics card should be either an RTX 3060 Ti or RTX 3070. These two components are the main expenses. You can follow this guiding principle to configure flexibly.

Graphics Card

• 3060 Ti [¥3399, ¥3699, ¥3999] | JD.com self-operated

• 3070 [¥4099, ¥4499] | JD.com self-operated

  I personally recommend the 3060 Ti at ¥3699. The components are not too poor, but not the best either. The ¥3399 version is also fine; there is essentially no performance difference, though the higher-priced one may have slightly better cooling. The difference is minimal. I chose Colorful because they support individual warranty claims. While not the top brand, it is relatively reliable.

  The performance gap between the 3060 Ti and the 3070 is about 10%. In actual use, they feel similar. Both can run almost any game, unless you are aiming for 4K or similar high-end settings.

CPU and Motherboard

• MSI B560 + i5-10400F [¥1299-¥1449] | JD.com self-operated

• i5-10600KF + MSI Bundle [¥1570-¥1750] | Taobao

  Honestly, 6 cores and 12 threads are sufficient. The difference between the two CPUs above is the clock speed. I personally recommend the 10600KF since higher frequency banefits gaming. You can purchase from either JD.com or Taobao. Note that these CPUs do not have integrated graphics (a dedicated GPU is required for display). If you need integrated graphics, choose a variant without the "F" suffix, which will cost a few hundred more.

CPU Cooler and RAM

• CPU Cooler: Arctic Freezer 34 (or similar) ¥90

  Good enough. You might find it for ¥70 on second-hand markets. You can also add extra case fans yourself.

• RAM: Kingston DDR4 3200 8GB x2 ¥419 | JD.com self-operated

  The frequency is 3200 MHz. Prices have dropped significantly; I previously bought 2666 MHz RAM for ¥500. Two 8GB sticks in dual-channel mode is bettter than a single 8GB stick and is definitely sufficient.

M.2 SSD and HDD

• SSD: Samsung 980 500GB ¥429 | JD.com self-operated

• HDD: Any brand, just buy one.

  For SSDs, choose major brands like Western Digital or Samsung. 500GB models are generally around ¥400.

Power Supply and Case

• PSU: 550W-650W ¥279 | JD.com self-operated

• Case: SAMA Sentinel U2 ¥199

  As long as the power supply has sufficient wattage, 550W is adequate. A fully modular unit is more convenient for building. If you plan to upgrade in the future, consider 650W; it will cost a bit more.

Total Estimated Cost:

¥3699 (GPU) + ¥1570 (CPU+Mobo) + ¥90 (Cooler) + ¥419 (RAM) + ¥429 (SSD) + ¥279 (PSU) + ¥199 (Case) = ¥6,685 (My ideal configuration)

• Cutting costs on CPU: save about ¥300
• Cutting costs on GPU: save about another ¥300

Pre-built Purchase (Relaxed Approach)

CPU Performance Chart | GPU Performance Chart

A similar configuration bundle (more expensive, but hassle-free and ready to use):

• 装机猿 Bundle 1, ¥5,666 (Recommended)

  Except for the off-brand GPU, everything else is fine. The CPU is slightly better than my recommendation (suitable for CS: GO). Refer to the performance charts. How ever, both are 6-core/12-thread. Bundle 2 is ¥5,000 and offers good value, but it lacks one 8GB RAM stick and has a lower-tier CPU. I won't elaborate on others. Honestly, the performance is similar to a self-built system, except for the off-brand GPU—a drawback if you ever plan to sell it. But if not, it is time-saving and worry-free.