Build help - gaming PC
Build help - gaming PC
Hi!
I’m looking for assistance with assembling a new gaming PC build, planning for purchase between August and October. I plan to source all components from Finland—preferably at Jimm’s for a slight discount, though other retailers are acceptable. The budget is around 2000 euros, but aiming closer to 1500 euros would be ideal since I also need a monitor. Unfortunately, component costs seem to be rising each year, which could complicate things... I’d appreciate some alternative options for the parts, which would help narrow down good deals.
CPU: Should I go with Arrow Lake or Raptor Lake? Is a Ryzen 7000-series or 9000-series better?
Motherboard: Would spending about 250-300 euros be worthwhile for a premium board to boost performance and cooling? Must have both Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, preferably the latest generation.
GPU: Likely I shouldn’t exceed 600 euros right now, so an RX 9070 or RTX 5070 would suit, with next-level options costing around 200 more.
RAM: Quantity and speed?
https://fi.pcpartpicker.com/list/KpmNmC
This plan came from my own research, but it’s definitely closer to 2000 euros than 1500. A few items look overpriced (especially the PSU).
PCPartPicker Part List
CPU:
- AMD Ryzen 7 7800X3D 4.2 GHz 8-Core OEM/Tray Processor (€394.90 @ Proshop)
- Thermalright Peerless Assassin 120 SE 66.17 CFM CPU Cooler (€37.90 @ Datatronic)
Motherboard:
- Asus ROG STRIX B650E-F GAMING WIFI ATX AM5 Motherboard (€204.90 @ Jimm's)
Memory:
- TEAMGROUP T-Create Expert 32 GB (2 x 16 GB) DDR5-6000 CL30 Memory (€119.90 @ Proshop)
Storage:
- MSI SPATIUM M480 PRO 2 TB M.2-2280 PCIe 4.0 X4 NVME SSD (€143.90 @ Datatronic)
Video Card:
- Gigabyte GAMING OC Radeon RX 9070 XT 16 GB Video Card (€749.90 @ Jimm's)
Case:
- Montech AIR 903 BASE ATX Mid Tower Case
The Tomahawk is a fully featured and robust motherboard without breaking the bank. Ram is also on par with the platform's capability. Cooler is best you can pick up for the price(performance wise). If you can go for the RX 9070 XT. I have my reservations about getting PCIe5.0x2 SSD's. I'd appreciate some alternatives for the components, this would make it easier to search for good deals. You should've stylized your thread with info asked of in this thread; *How to Ask for New Build or Upgrade Advice* How to Ask for New Build or Upgrade Advice First off, respect where respect is due - this is an adaptation of the Animal's *How To Ask For New Build Advice* Sticky. I created this because there's a lot of posts nowadays asking for upgrade advice both on here and on the CPU forums, and I feel... forums. that way we're given context to your build, and the community will chime in with worthwhile suggestions. Build looks good, IMHO as is. Here's my submission, albeit slightly over 2000 Euros; PCPartPicker Part List CPU: AMD Ryzen 7 9700X 3.8 GHz 8-Core Processor (€332.80 @ Multitronic.fi) CPU Cooler: Thermalright Peerless Assassin 120 SE 66.17 CFM CPU Cooler (€37.90 @ Datatronic) Motherboard: MSI MAG B850 TOMAHAWK MAX WIFI ATX AM5 Motherboard (€264.78 @ Proshop) Memory: Crucial Pro Overclocking 32 GB (2 x 16 GB) DDR5-6000 CL36 Memory (€102.90 @ Datatronic) Storage: Crucial P3 Plus 500 GB M.2-2280 PCIe 4.0 X4 NVME Solid State Drive (€51.13 @ Proshop) Storage: Crucial P3 Plus 2 TB M.2-2280 PCIe 4.0 X4 NVME Solid State Drive (€127.90 @ Datatronic) Video Card: XFX Swift Radeon RX 9070 XT 16 GB Video Card (€749.00 @ Datatronic) Case: Fractal Design Define 7 Compact ATX Mid Tower Case (€123.80 @ Multitronic.fi) Power Supply: MSI MAG A750GL PCIE5 II 750 W 80+ Gold Certified Fully Modular ATX Power Supply (€115.90 @ Datatronic) Operating System: Microsoft Windows 11 Home Retail - USB 64-bit (€136.90 @ Datatronic) Total: €2043.01 Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available Generated by PCPartPicker 2025-08-01 19:41 EEST+0300 Smaller capacity drive is for the OS, apps and launchers. Larger drive will act as game library. DDR-6000Hz is the sweet spot. Went with the Fractal Define 7 case since the front I/O is loaded with ports. Not set in stone but merely a template to tweak.
PCPartPicker Part List CPU: * AMD Ryzen 7 7800X3D 4.2 GHz 8-Core OEM/Tray Processor (€394.90 @ Proshop) CPU Cooler: * Thermalright Peerless Assassin 120 SE 66.17 CFM CPU Cooler (€37.90 @ Datatronic) Motherboard: * Asus ROG STRIX B650E-F GAMING WIFI ATX AM5 Motherboard (€204.90 @ Jimm's) Memory: * TEAMGROUP T-Create Expert 32 GB (2 x 16 GB) DDR5-6000 CL30 Memory (€119.90 @ Proshop) Storage: * MSI SPATIUM M480 PRO 2 TB M.2-2280 PCIe 4.0 X4 NVME Solid State Drive (€143.90 @ Datatronic) Video Card: * Gigabyte GAMING OC Radeon RX 9070 XT 16 GB Video Card (€749.90 @ Jimm's) Case: * Montech AIR 903 BASE ATX Mid Tower Case (€65.90 @ Jimm's) Power Supply: * Montech CENTURY II 850 W 80+ Gold Certified Fully Modular ATX Power Supply (€108.90 @ Proshop) Total: €1826.20 Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available *Lowest price parts chosen from parametric criteria Generated by PCPartPicker 2025-08-01 21:12 EEST+0300 ROG STRIX B650E-F GAMING WIFI | Motherboards | ROG United States The ROG Strix B650E-F Gaming WiFi takes you to the future with 12 + 2 power stages, hyperspeed DDR5 memory, and next-gen PCIe® 5.0 connectivity. It is equipped with three M.2 slots with heatsinks, a USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 port, WiFi 6E, AI Networking, Two-Way AI Noise Cancelation, and Aura Sync RGB... rog.asus.com https://www.msi.com/Storage/SPATIUM-M480...0-NVMe-M.2 https://www.montechpc.com/century-ii-850w https://www.vortez.net/articles_pages/mo...iew,7.html https://www.montechpc.com/air-903-base Montech Air 903 Base Review The Montech Air 903 Base diminishes the barrier of entry even more compared to the already incredibly affordable Max variant. All the while, it delivers everything you anticipate from a contemporary, airflow-centric enclosure. To the extent that this case essentially competes only with its own... www.techpowerup.com Montech AIR 903 Base and Max Review - KitGuru If you saw KitGuru's coverage of Computex 2023 you will have probably stumbled across Leo’s rundown www.kitguru.net
In my view, adding 110 euros for two more cores (9600x versus 9700x) is a poor deal. The expectation is that prices for the 9000 series will drop, so if you anticipate needing it later (consider selling this one), purchase it then. I previously had an extra SSD (1 TB), but I removed it; the 1 TB offers less value than a 2 TB unit. Still, when necessary, buy it! (Don’t waste money now – SSDs remain more costly than they should be)
PCPartPicker Part List
CPU: AMD Ryzen 5 9600X 3.9 GHz 6-Core Processor (€219.90 @ Proshop)
CPU Cooler: Thermalright Phantom Spirit 120 SE ARGB 66.17 CFM (€41.90 @ Jimm's)
Motherboard: Asus TUF GAMING B650M-PLUS WIFI Micro ATX AM5 (€143.98 @ Proshop)
Memory: TEAMGROUP T-Create Expert 32 GB (2 x 16 GB) DDR5-6000 CL30 (€119.90 @ Proshop)
Storage: MSI SPATIUM M480 PRO 2 TB M.2-2280 PCIe 4.0 X4 NVME SSD (€144.90 @ Datatronic)
Video Card: PowerColor Reaper Radeon RX 9070 16 GB (€619.90 @ Jimm's)
Case: Montech AIR 903 BASE ATX Mid Tower (€65.90 @ Jimm's)
Power Supply: Montech CENTURY II 850 W 80+ Gold Certified Fully Modular ATX (€108.90 @ Proshop)
Total: €1465.28
Includes shipping, taxes, and available discounts
Generated by PCPartPicker
2025-08-02 18:54 EEST+0300
I'm pretty sure the Ryzen 5 will suffice for me, it's something I've been thinking about too. What seems to be one SSD would also work. Some folks believe putting the OS on its own SSD is a smart move, which is why two SSDs are used. I don't have much experience with this. Good advice—I'll definitely explore it.
I have a strong opinion on this. For many AAA titles these days, using more than eight cores gives better performance. I’d rather play overcooked than undercooked. The 9600x is a solid gaming setup, but when you add streaming or pushing AAA games to their limits, it quickly reaches its capacity.
In my opinion, you would make an error with the 6 core R5 and you'll wish you had known it right away.