Evaluating the upgrade... is the new configuration logical?
Evaluating the upgrade... is the new configuration logical?
Hey there! I’m planning to upgrade my PC and will stick with these components:
- MSI GeForce RTX™ 3090 GAMING X TRIO 24G
- Samsung 990 Pro 2TB SSD
- Samsung 950 Pro 500GB SSD
- be quiet! BN204 Dark Power Pro 10 80Plus Gold (1000 watts)
- be quiet! Dark Base Pro 900
For the upgrades I’m considering:
- AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D
- Corsair iCUE LINK H115i RGB (on sale, replacing fans with my existing ones)
- 32GB G.Skill Trident Z Neo RGB DDR5-7200 DIMM CL34-45-45-115 1.40V Dual Kit (F5-7200J3445G16GX2-TZ5NR)
- ASUS ROG Strix X870-A Gaming
Feel free to share any tips or if anything doesn’t work as expected. Thanks!
Obviously, 9800x3D remains the top option if you can secure one and are willing to invest nearly $500 USD. A straightforward 6000MT/sec CL30 kit would suffice. The IOD for the 9800x3D matches the previous generation, favoring an MCLK of 3000MHz. Higher-speed kits may offer slightly improved performance, but I’d opt for the stability of the recommended specifications, particularly for 3D v-cache. There’s no assurance a 7200MT/sec kit will function properly. The motherboard appears suitable as long as the price remains reasonable. Overall, motherboards are quite subjective, depending on features like rear IO, PCIe layout, header placement, and design.
I’d consider X870 or X870e for the standard USB4 support if you’re open to investing more. For budget options, a solid B650 board will easily manage the 9800x3D. In 2024, 32GB still works well, especially without worrying about iGPU performance or heavy RAM demands. The 9800x3D’s memory characteristics should match those of the 7800x3D because the IOD controllers remain consistent. Yields should be similar too, thanks to the older 6nm process from TSMC. The 3D v-cache isn’t much affected by RAM size—it mainly helps with stability rather than speed. If we compared a 9700x, I’d be willing to accept some RAM compatibility trade-offs for faster speeds, but with the 9800x3D we’re focusing on stability above all. A low-latency, high-speed kit (around 6000MT/sec) is what I’d prioritize if I were buying a 9800x3D now.
I agree with what Agall mentions. The 32GB storage feels insufficient for modded games. My high usage—around the 20s—comes mainly from recent titles like Stalker 2 and Enshrouded. It might just be me, but I can run 15GB without a game open, which seems unusual given the increasing limits and caps. If I were starting fresh, I’d probably go with 48GB or more now.
I've observed a significant increase in RAM consumption over the last six months. Currently, I'm using nearly all of my 32GB, reaching 78%, and experiencing performance issues when launching Stalker 2—stuttering and crashing at full usage. My upcoming PC will have at least 48GB, possibly more, and if I secure a good deal, up to 128GB. While that's a lot, I don't want to limit my tabs.
You're asking about the source of your setup. If you're swapping in fans, consider a more affordable liquid cooler or thermal prism air cooler instead. Running at 6000MHz on a Ryzen processor won't boost performance and might even reduce it. A 6000MHz CL32 RAM board is quite expensive for its capabilities. A basic B650 board already covers what you need.
I own an Intel i7-8700K, Asus ROG STRIX Z370-F, 32GB (four 8192MB) G.Skill Trident Z RGB DDR4-3000 DIMM CL15-16-16-35, Corsair Hydro Series H115i. I gave this "set" to a family member. I appreciate the look of an aio cooler. And as mentioned, the Corsair iCUE LINK H115i RGB was discounted. Perhaps (if it’s sufficient) I’ll retain the RGB fans. Regarding RAM... I haven’t faced any issues with my 32GB. I’ll need to consider it later...