I might require a superior PSU for my upcoming upgrade.
I might require a superior PSU for my upcoming upgrade.
My setup has been running for some time now.
Processor: Intel Core i7-8700K
Graphics: GeForce GTX 1650 Super
Brand: Some Asus device, not sure which model
Memory: GSKill, 32GB
Storage: Multiple M2 drives available
Operating System: Ubuntu Linux
Power Supply: Corsair TX650W
Recently, I've been working on video and music editing, which has put a lot of strain on the i7. I'm considering a new build (and moving to Ubuntu Studio), but I believe my current PSU might not suffice for my plans.
Upgrade thoughts: This isn’t a top-tier system by any means, but I don’t need anything extreme.
CPU: Ryzen 7 9800X3D
Cooler: Arctic Liquid Freezer III Pro 360
Graphics: GeForce RTX 5060 AERO
Brand: Gigabyte B650 AORUS Elite
Memory: G.Skill Trident Z5 (2 x 32GB) DDR5-6000 PC5-48000
Between the upgrades, extra RAM, and cooler, I feel uncertain about the 650. I’m thinking about switching to a 1000W power supply, which seems reasonable. I’m evaluating the Corsair RM1000x.
Anyone have any obvious issues with these choices?
First of all, 9800X3D isn't the best choice for productivity work. Although it's the fastest gaming CPU, it lags in other areas and comes with a high price tag. You'd be better off with one of these bundles (depending on whether you plan to upgrade your system later or build a new one in about 5-6 years).
Check out these options:
https://www.microcenter.com/product...-x...ard-bundle
https://www.microcenter.com/product...-a...ard-bundle
The Intel bundle offers better value, while AMD is more suitable for future upgrades.
Memory costs a lot nowadays, so whichever...
PSU: Corsair TX650W
Your PSU is 8 years old.
You don't require a 1KW model; an 850W unit provides ample capacity, though it's suitable if you plan to upgrade to an RXT 5080 or RTX 5090.
Where are you situated? What is your budget for the PSU purchase? Which store do you prefer for buying it?
Older than that. It was a carryover from my previous build, so it's probably closer to 15 years old, assuming I haven't forgotten buying it. But I buy pretty much everything from Microcenter (they're local), and there's no history for this PSU going back as far as 2016.
The rest of the system was bought/built in 2019 (it's all in my purchase history), so now I know exactly how old all of it is.
I don't do any gaming, so I probably won't need much beyond the 5060.
I'm in Maryland. Budget for the PSU is whatever it costs (within reason). I'd like to keep it under $200. I'm most likely going to buy from Microcenter again since I can just buy online and drive over and pick it up (and avoid the checkout line).
Initially, 9800X3D isn't the best choice for productivity work. Although it's the fastest gaming CPU, it lags in other aspects and is quite costly. A more suitable option would be one of these bundles, depending on your future upgrade plans or the possibility of building a new system in a few years.
https://www.microcenter.com/product...-x...ard-bundle
https://www.microcenter.com/product...-a...ard-bundle
The Intel bundle offers better value, while AMD provides better upgrade potential.
Memory prices are high now, so a kit with 2x24GB or 2x32GB is more affordable.
For your existing power supply, it's still functional and provides sufficient wattage for this setup. It's advisable to replace it due to age; capacitors wear out over time and ripple often exceeds acceptable limits in older models.
You don’t need a high-end or 1kW unit for this build—it’s more than adequate.
https://www.microcenter.com/product...sk...dc01-white
Regarding your old power supply, it remains a solid choice and can handle the workload.
However, upgrading to a newer unit might be beneficial later.
For cooling, an ordinary unit is sufficient; advanced liquid cooling isn’t necessary for this project.
https://www.microcenter.com/product/6880...oler-black
Thanks for the recommendations, especially the CPU/Mobo, which saves me a bit of coin for what's probably a more suitable combo for my application. I've fallen way behind on what the latest hardware is, so this really helps.
I wouldn't expect an 8GB GPU these days. The RAM cost is high at 64GB for $284, making the price per GB worse... and how often do we have enough RAM? (Of course, if needed, we can add more storage)
Motherboard CPU Bundle
$434.99
ASUS RTX 5060 Ti Prime Triple Fan 16GB
$429.99
NZXT C850 850 Watt Power Supply
$119.99
PCPartPicker Part List
CPU Cooler:
Thermalright Royal Pretor 130 81.88 CFM CPU Cooler
($53.00 @ Amazon)
Memory:
Corsair Vengeance 96 GB (2 x 48 GB) DDR5-6000 CL36 Memory
($359.53 @ Amazon)
Storage:
Crucial T500 2 TB M.2-2280 PCIe 4.0 X4 NVME SSD
($144.19 @ Amazon)
Case:
Montech AIR 903 BASE ATX Mid Tower Case
($65.00 @ Newegg)
Total: $621.72
Shipping, taxes, and available discounts are included
Generated by PCPartPicker
2025-11-10 07:58 EST-0500
Installed the new system with the old video card. It shows flickering issues—blank screen for about 3-4 seconds, then display flashes briefly for 0.25 seconds. Updated MoBo firmware and tried both legacy and UEFI boot modes without success. Believe updating the card's firmware is necessary, but the updater requires Windows, which I don’t have. Planning to visit Microcenter today to explore options. Everything else on the new system functions well.