Building a PC for the first time, advice for new builders.
Building a PC for the first time, advice for new builders.
Examine the 7000 series components as well. The 9000 series parts are mostly more efficient compared to the 7000, with performance differences being minimal. Expect an average variation of around 3-5% between the 9700X and 7700X models.
Yes, so which option should I choose as I keep going in circles and need to figure this out this week? The situation I’m facing is that I received some money from a relative, but I won’t really expect to be able to afford the same amount for a new PC in the future unless I somehow win the lottery—which I don’t currently enter. But since I got the money, I feel like I need to make the most of it. I’ve waited 8 years since my last PC, and at that time the GPUs seemed too expensive, so I went for an 1050 Ti at £150. I expected to upgrade when prices dropped, but that never happened. The truth is, if I won the lottery, I’d probably go for a 9950x3D and maybe a 5080. The reality is, I could do that now, but I just have the guilt of it not being my money and wasting it. Plus, I’m too concerned about the 16-pin connector.
Don't stress about that connector. It's easy to mess up with an ATX 3.1 PSU. That connector can melt if it isn't properly connected.
PCPartPicker Parts List
CPU: AMD Ryzen 9 9900X 4.4 GHz 12-Core Processor (£349.00 @ Amazon UK)
CPU Cooler: Thermalright Royal Pretor 130 81.88 CFM CPU Cooler (£39.00 @ Computer Orbit)
Motherboard: MSI MAG B650 TOMAHAWK WIFI ATX AM5 Motherboard (£154.99 @ Amazon UK)
Memory: TEAMGROUP T-Create Expert 64 GB (2 x 32 GB) DDR5-6400 CL34 Memory (£199.99 @ Amazon UK)
Storage: Crucial T500 2 TB M.2-2280 PCIe 4.0 X4 NVME SSD (£127.00 @ Amazon UK)
Storage: Western Digital WD Blue SN5000 2 TB M.2-2280 PCIe 4.0 X4 NVME SSD (£104.99 @ AWD-IT)
Video Card: Sapphire PULSE Radeon RX 9070 XT 16 GB Video Card (£554.99 @ Amazon UK)
Power Supply: Montech CENTURY II 850 W 80+ Gold Certified Fully Modular ATX Power Supply (£85.00 @ Computer Orbit)
Case Fan: Phanteks M25G2-140 101.78 CFM 140 mm Fan (£6.95 @ Overclockers.co.uk)
Case Fan: Phanteks M25G2-140 101.78 CFM 140 mm Fans 3-Pack (£18.95 @ Overclockers.co.uk)
Total: £1640.86
Prices encompass shipping, taxes, and applicable discounts.
Generated by PCPartPicker
2025-10-13 11:48 BST+0100
There are several solid recommendations already shared, but if you're aiming for a pure gaming setup I’d personally choose the 7800x3d. The price in the UK is reasonable around £340 and its performance is quite close to the 9800x3d.
You should be comfortable with a 9700x or comparable model, but for the slight increase in cost the 7800x3d would better meet your requirements.
A 5070ti or 9070xt would also likely be the top choice for GPU performance, and at 1440p it will provide decent to similar results.
Hi, thank you for your feedback. I don't want a purely gaming PC since I need to handle multitasking with several browsers and tabs open. The prices look quite different: 7800x3d is £340, 9800x3d is £60 more at £400, 9700x is £242, and the 9950x3d is much more expensive at £600. Originally I was considering a 5070 Ti, but the 16-pin issues made me hesitate. I already have the 9700x on order for £242, so I need to decide quickly whether to cancel or pick another option soon.
A 7800x3d isn't really going to do any different than a 9800x3d, with regards to multiple browsers and tabs open. Actual workstation tasks, like video editing, the 9800x3d is superior. Unless you run across a game that is very CPU dependent, like in my case WoW, the 9700x isn't going to game much different, at 1440p, with a 9070xt. Even with a 4090, at 1440p, on average, the difference is less than 10%, for gaming. A 4090 is more than 10% faster than a 9070xt.
AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D Review - The Best Gaming Processor
The Ryzen 7 9800X3D establishes AMD as the leader in gaming performance. This Zen 5-based X3D chip is not only fast, it also comes with full support for overclocking. Besides gaming, application performance is considerably improved over the 7800X3D, but that comes at a price.
www.techpowerup.com
Sapphire Radeon RX 9070 XT Pulse Review
Sapphire’s Radeon RX 9070 XT Pulse trades flashy extras for substance, to hit its $600 MSRP. There's no RGB lighting or factory overclock, but you get an outstanding cooler that runs whisper-quiet at full load with good temperatures. Performance where it counts.
www.techpowerup.com
Thanks for the update, I think I’ve managed to reduce it to the 9700x or the 9800x3d. From what I’ve read, the 9700x seems a bit better for productivity than the 9800x3d, though the 9800x3d might offer a 10%-30% boost in some games. Still, I’m aiming for the best of both worlds like the 9950x3d, but I won’t pay 600 for it. Most of the time I’ll use it for productivity, but when I play I want it to impress with graphics without breaking the bank on GPU and CPU. I’m trying to decide now, but I’m not sure how to go and just hoping for some clarity soon.
Would you prefer feeling less impressed by gaming results or by work output? I believe it's not possible to get a true answer without comparing both options directly. I think that would be difficult. You're stuck between choosing between indecision and overthinking. Fortunately, you probably won't ever have a clear choice—just a coin toss.