Effective, But Not Too Complex

Performance-wise, this build didn’t quite live up to our expectations. The Radeon RX 580 GPU is still functional, but AMD’s 2020 update to its Adrenalin software actually makes the gaming performance slightly worse. The Crucial P1 M.2 drive also failed to meet expectations, although it’s worth remembering that both components were fairly cheap – if you’ve got more cash, we advise replacing them with newer parts.

The Ryzen 5 2600 CPU worked well, assuaging any concerns we had about using a second-gen Ryzen instead of a newer Ryzen 3000-series chip. Yes, this build might not be as future-proofed as it could be, but there’s no complicated BIOS meddling to be done. Using a third-gen processor would also have demanded use of an X570-chipset motherboard, which would have brought the price up further. The Wraith Stealth cooler included with the 2600 also did the job; while all-in-one liquid coolers are nice, AMD’s stock coolers are effective, and ideal for beginners, thanks to their simple design.

We wouldn’t change the RAM or power supply either; if you’re able to find comparable models for cheaper, by all means save yourself some cash, but the components we used worked well and required minimal adjustment. The 3,000MHz memory did require use of the motherboard’s automatic memory overclocking, but this was as simple as hopping into the BIOS’s EZ mode and turning on the clearly marked D.O.C.P. profile for 3,000MHz functionality.

Was it an easy build? Yes. The BitFenix Enso Mesh could use a few more holes in the frame for cable routing, but if you take the time to pre-install your PSU and prep your cables, you shouldn’t have any trouble. The case looks great for the price, too.

There were a few moments when we fell afoul of our own fat fingers. The case didn’t really give us any grief, but plugging the CPU power cable and front I/O connectors into the motherboard was awkward. Use the motherboard manual to check you’re putting everything in the right place, and with a bit of care, you shouldn’t have too many problems.

This is a straightforward build, achievable by even the greenest tinkerer. We would encourage more experienced builders to make changes as they best see fit, but rookies are probably best following this guide to the letter, and only swapping out a few components if price permits. You can now build a capable but affordable first PC, and take our lessons with you to build a more advanced system in the future.

1 The rear case fan looks pretty good, with simple RGB lighting that syncs automatically with the lighting on the front of the case. 2 This RX 580 is a bulky card, so make sure that it’s well screwed down to the rear of the case; the PCIe slot locks into place, but it doesn’t support the weight of the GPU. 3 Our sole drive here is an M.2 SSD, the only kind of drive that is installed directly to the motherboard. SATA SSDs and HDDs must be installed elsewhere in the case, then connected to the motherboard via a SATA cable.