Intel’s solid all-round performance continues to gets the shout in this lower-end category, where you’re likely using your PC for more than just 3D content creation. The newer, more expensive 9th series chips eschew the hyperthreading present in this 8th Generation chip, in preference for more cores. Thus the 9700k’s advantage is shaved to lower margins – so by extension, the choice continues to be Intel’s 8700 for this lowest recommended build tier. If stock becomes scarce, the 8700k, and then the 9700k are the recommended upgrade options for this tier. (See the full page build for more options on every part)

The newer (and more expensive) RTX 2060 replaces the older 1060 6GB from The Ramen Build. The Octane Bench improvement is significant enough to warrant the upgrade, even though the base MSRP is higher. It’s offset by the lowering in price of the i7 8700 however, so the overall price of the build remains roughly the same. The newly announced GTX 1660Ti doesnt change the recommendation – the 2060 is still preferred at this price point for rendering applications. 

Because the recommendation remains the i7 8700, which is not overclockable – If you chose one of the upgrade options (that are overclockable) you’ll also need to pickup a CPU cooler as the overclockable version of this intel chip (and the 9th Gen series upgrade) does not come with one.

The choice of an ATX Z390 motherboard, (even with a locked CPU) is to allow for the possibility to upgrade to a ninth series processor if necessary, as well as use dual graphics cards for future GPU rendering – an option not allowed on a cheaper chipset or older generation motherboard. Although you might consider upgrading to a 750 watt Power Supply If you know you’re going to go Dual GPU in the future.

 Finally, You’ll also need an Operating System. I’ve linked to one, but chances are if you’re a student you can get one for much cheaper from your academic institution.