Old vet returning to gaming! Need assistance with PC build.
Old vet returning to gaming! Need assistance with PC build.
Here’s a revised version of your text with the same length and structure, but rephrased for clarity and flow:
Hello everyone! It’s great to reconnect with you all again! I’m an old member who hasn’t been back since 2008-2011 because of life circumstances. Life has changed a lot—I’ve dealt with mental health issues and spent years without a home. Now I work as a counselor, and recently I’ve started organizing my life better. I just moved into my first apartment! I’m eager to make a positive change and would really appreciate any advice or insights you can share. Thank you!
My first experience building a computer was over ten years ago, but I used to tinker with it often. Nowadays, I feel a bit out of touch with modern tech, especially computers. I haven’t kept up with updates until recently, and that’s because of life choices. Back then, I had a decent 2011 Intel processor.
Budget: Around $3000, but I’m open to spending more if needed.
Timeline: I plan to buy parts by April or August of this year.
*Priority Usage for System: Gaming – Streaming*
I play video games occasionally, but I really want to do it more often now. I enjoy classic titles but also want to try new ones, like Cyberpunk 2077.
I’m a light to mid-range gamer, but I also enjoy high-end games. My range is generally High Mid Range to Low High Range.
Resolution: I’m not sure, but I managed to get a decent 2019 monitor. My current model is a Zotac 1060, and I’d love to keep it for a while longer if possible.
Some ideas and questions I have – any advice would be greatly appreciated!
Parts Preferences:
I’d like a white tower case, which could be stylish or plain, but I’m open to colors like blue or black.
I’d prefer to keep my 1060 Zotac for a while longer, but I’m ready to upgrade if necessary. Maybe wait a year?
For the monitor, I’m considering sticking with my 2019 model, but if anyone has suggestions? I’m not very familiar with specs like MHZ or MS.
Preferred websites for parts: Any are fine.
Location: United States, California.
Overclocking: No
SLI or Crossfire: No
Monitor Resolution: I’m not sure, but I play 1024x768. I know it’s a bit old.
Parts Not Required: Peripherals, mouse/keyboard, OS – but I’d love some recommendations.
A few tips for MOBO, RAM/Memory, and storage – CPU:
1. Did AMD replace Intel? I’m not sure which direction to go, but I’d love to see many different builds.
2. SSDs are now built into the motherboard? Should I prioritize them? How much should I spend?
3. *GPU/video card – what’s going on?! I’m not sure where to start, but the price is a bit high.*
A few random questions:
- Is there any competition between AMD and Intel? I’m curious about different builds.
- Are SSDs now built into the motherboard? Should I consider upgrading them?
- *GPU/video card – what happened?! I’m not sure where to begin, but the cost is high.*
Lastly, I’m trying to recover my old account from 2008. My login still exists, but none of my emails are working. It’s strange since I only have a few contacts left.
Returns start to show clear limits after around 2000 units, but adjust as needed. Are you prepared to spend a lot for small gains?
Yes... full SSD if funds allow. A couple internally, but that depends on your needs. A typical 2.5 inch is fine, though many opt for an M.2 NVME, especially for the boot drive. You’ll need to calculate your storage needs—possibly 250 or 500 GB, or even 4 TB or more.
RAM: A standard setup is 32 sticks in a bundle, each 16 GB. For DDR 5, ensure your motherboard supports it. Both Intel and AMD are compatible. Just try to avoid getting caught up in hype.
I thought I had to spend more than 1,000 for a video card. For SSDs, I’m not sure which brand to pick—just planning to choose later. I’m curious about AMD and Intel, but I guess people would prefer one over the other. It’s always fun!
It’s simple to invest 5000 if financial worries are minimal. No one here will reveal how you’d decide the cutoff before making a purchase.
Are you fixated on benchmarks, frame rates, or temperature readings? If yes to any of these, your expenses could increase.
If you’re considering a new monitor, you might easily spend 1500 or more just on the display and graphics card within a 2500 to 3000 dollar setup.
The most frequently suggested SSD brands here are WD, Samsung, and Crucial—no specific preference.
Probably a PCIe 4.0 compatible NVMe drive for the boot disk. If you’re chasing the newest tech, PCIe 5.0 is available, but the benefits are limited.
Choose between one or two SSDs. One for general use and another for the operating system and applications, with a separate drive for data storage.
The case or cooler matters; the case must match your cooler choice. Air cooling works well except possibly at the top end of CPU power or extreme temperature concerns. High-end air coolers range from 50 to 100 units or more.
Consider the airflow inside the case. Some prioritize flashy RGB over performance, while others need 8 fans for cooling reasons unrelated to efficiency.
AMD and Intel’s performance comparisons are often overstated—think of it as a debate about how many angels can dance on a pinhead or Ford vs. Chevrolet from your youth. Enjoy it as much as you can handle. Can your dad beat your dad? Recent surveys suggest only a few minds have shifted significantly over the years.
Here’s a refreshed version of the text with varied wording while keeping the original meaning and tone intact. Welcome back! 1. AMD currently leads the market, especially with their Ryzen 7000 series, which boasts the fastest gaming chips available. These processors are not only more efficient but also maintain cooler performance at higher temperatures. The standout advantage for AMD is the fact that their current platform, AM5, will remain supported until around 2026, giving you a couple of years to upgrade your CPU. In contrast, Intel’s latest offerings, the LGA 1700, are already at the end of their lifecycle and are expected to be replaced within the next 6 months to a year. If your main focus is gaming, the Ryzen 7800X3D stands out as the fastest gaming CPU on the market. 2. SSDs are clearly the best choice for storage, especially for boot disks. However, if you're aiming for a solid performance, a hard drive still offers better capacity. Just ensure your boot disk is an SSD to get the most benefit. Over the past few years, GPU performance has fluctuated. Personally, I wouldn’t go beyond 1000 in terms of ray tracing capability, but opinions vary. You now have the opportunity to explore the exciting world of ray tracing, which is expected to become more common in the next couple of generations—around 4 to 5 years. To simplify, I’ll categorize this into two groups: general use versus ray tracing. For non-ray tracing tasks, the top choice is the RTX 4090. A close second is the 4080 Super, followed by the RX 7900 XTX. On the ray tracing front, the RTX 4090, 4080 Super, and RX 7900 XTX all hold strong positions. The RX 7900 XTX is the best option, especially if you're aiming for sub-1000 FPS with ray tracing disabled. However, most games don’t utilize ray tracing, so it’s a matter of personal preference. You also don’t need to spend $2,000 just to achieve a decent gaming experience. A setup around $1,500 will work well, depending on your preferences. [PCPartPicker Part List](https://pcpartpicker.com) – Updated March 24, 2024 AMD Ryzen 7 7800X3D 4.2 GHz 8-Core Processor – Review With several shader processors available, this card should perform noticeably faster. The good news is that the price for the 4080 SUPER has dropped compared to the standard 4080, making it a more affordable option. [PCPartPicker Link]( I9 14900KS Review Many components have been benchmarked, and this build looks promising. [PCPartPicker Link]( A mostly white build assembled without going over the $2200 mark is a solid choice. If you prefer a cleaner look, you might save some money by reducing the white finish. [PCPartPicker Part List](https://pcpartpicker.com) [Shopping Guide] - **CPU**: [AMD Ryzen 7 7800X3D 4.2 GHz 8-Core Processor](https://pcpartpicker.com/product/3hyH99/...0000910wof) – $368.99 - **CPU Cooler**: [Thermalright Peerless Assassin 120 SE WHITE ARGB 66.17 CFM](https://pcpartpicker.com/product/xMLFf7/...white-argb) – $36.99 - **Motherboard**: [Asus PRIME X670E-PRO WIFI ATX AM5](https://pcpartpicker.com/product/7nYmP6/...otherboard) – $289.99 - **Memory**: [Corsair Vengeance RGB 64 GB DDR5-6000 CL40](https://pcpartpicker.com/product/n4pQzy/...2b6000c40w) – $217.99 - **Storage**: [Crucial T500 2 TB M.2-2280 NVME SSD](https://pcpartpicker.com/product/M8yH99/...tate-drive) – $150.00 - **Video Card**: [ASRock Phantom Gaming OC RX 7900 XTX 24 GB](https://pcpartpicker.com/product/gCBG3C/...video-card) – $929.99 - **Case**: [Montech AIR 903 BASE ATX](https://pcpartpicker.com/product/rBTZxr/...3-base-atx) – $64.98 - **Power Supply**: [Corsair RM850 850 W](https://pcpartpicker.com/product/9KGbt6/...-certified) – $139.99 - **Total**: $2198.92 [PCPartPicker Link](https://pcpartpicker.com) – March 24, 2024 A still great gaming experience for $1570 [PCPartPicker Part List](https://pcpartpicker.com) [AMD Ryzen 7 7800X3D 4.2 GHz 8-Core Processor – Updated] [PCPartPicker Link](https://pcpartpicker.com) [AMD Ryzen 5 7600X 4.7 GHz 6-Core Processor – Updated] [PCPartPicker Link](https://pcpartpicker.com) [AMD Ryzen 5 7600X 4.7 GHz 6-Core Processor – Updated] [AMD Ryzen 5 7600X 4.7 GHz 6-Core Processor – Updated] [AMD Ryzen 5 7600X 4.7 GHz 6-Core Processor – Updated] [Gigabyte B650 AORUS ELITE AX ICE ATX AM5 Motherboard – Updated] [PCPartPicker Link](https://pcpartpicker.com) [Crucial Vengeance RGB 32 GB DDR5-6000 CL36 Memory – Updated] [PCPartPicker Link](https://pcpartpicker.com) [Crucial P3 Plus 2 TB M.2-2280 NVME SSD – Updated] [PCPartPicker Link](https://pcpartpicker.com) [ASRock Phantom Gaming OC RX 7900 XT 24 GB Video Card – Updated] [PCPartPicker Link](https://pcpartpicker.com) [Montech AIR 903 BASE ATX – Updated] [PCPartPicker Link](https://pcpartpicker.com) [Thermaltake Toughpower GF A3 Snow 850 W – Updated] [PCPartPicker Link](https://pcpartpicker.com) [PowerColor Hellhound OC Radeon RX 7800 XT 16 GB Video Card – Updated] [PCPartPicker Link](https://pcpartpicker.com) [Montech AIR 903 BASE ATX Mid Tower Case – Updated] [PCPartPicker Link](https://pcpartpicker.com) [Thermaltake Toughpower GF A3 Snow 850 W – Updated] [PCPartPicker Link](https://pcpartpicker.com) [Montech AIR 903 MAX ATX Mid Tower Case – Updated] [PCPartPicker Link](https://pcpartpicker.com) [Corsair RM750e 2023 – Updated] [PCPartPicker Link](https://pcpartpicker.com) [Crucial P3 Plus 2 TB M.2-2280 NVME SSD – Updated] [PCPartPicker Link](https://pcpartpicker.com) [TP-Link Archer T3U Wi-Fi Adapter – Updated] [PCPartPicker Link](https://pcpartpicker.com) Feel free to adjust the formatting as needed while preserving clarity and detail.
Amd/intel powwow always make me laugh, i think its just dudes trying to have a conversation which is nice
and no obsession over here for benchmarks or frames per second or temperatures.
Do you happen to have a few pcpartpicker list by any chance? Love to see your choices on monitors also, maybe you know a few around $200-500? thanks for suggestion on other stuff! I'll keep those in mind!
That what i love man! thanks for taking the time putting up a list like that. Now i need to compare some stuff! I hope its cool if I were to DM you man. I have some extra questions to, regarding the stuff you picked out!
Several video cards come with 8 GB of VRAM, while others have less. It is essential never to purchase a GPU with less than 8 GB of VRAM. Currently, some games actually perform poorly without around 11 or 12 GB of VRAM. The demand for VRAM is growing, and the optimal range that remains stable over time is around 16 GB. Although I believe 12 GB will still suffice, games that consume more VRAM may not gain much advantage. Once insufficient VRAM is reached, performance will decline significantly.
Your budget enables you to assemble a highly capable PC. If you were accustomed to using Intel systems, it’s wise to continue with them. AMD presents a different scenario. The same applies to graphics; since you’ve used NVIDIA, the drivers should be familiar. There’s no need to hesitate about starting with your 1060 initially. However, it will likely be quite limited compared to modern standards. Tom’s GPU hierarchy chart outlines the appropriate placement: Both Intel and AMD offer similar value across price ranges. The AMD X3D chips are appealing for dedicated gamers. Yet, the optimization of X3D comes with trade-offs. For tasks other than gaming—such as streaming—the performance won’t match the raw processor speed. When it comes to storage, opt for SSD solutions. Don’t rely heavily on vendor-generated SSD benchmarks; they often push devices to their limits with unusually long queue times. Most users will handle one or two functions at a time, resulting in queue lengths of just one or two. The key factor is response time, especially for random input operations. This is primarily managed by the operating system. Current SSDs demonstrate similarly fast and responsive performance, often 50 times quicker than traditional hard drives. Consider investing in a new monitor for enhanced gaming immersion. Higher resolution and larger screens deliver a more engaging experience. If possible, retain your existing monitor as a secondary display for tasks like email or performance monitoring. Case selection is personal, but it should accommodate your components, ideally an ATX motherboard. Ensure the case provides sufficient front air intake for effective cooling. Lian Li produces premium cases; the O11 air mini is a popular choice: https://www.newegg.com/p/2AM-000Z-00081 For DVD drives, cases typically lack dedicated 5.25 bays today. When purchasing a power supply, choose a larger size and prioritize quality. An 850W unit is advisable to accommodate future graphics upgrades and to include a warranty of at least seven years for reliability.
For achieving 95% gaming performance within that budget, begin with the GPU and move forward. GPUs now play a more crucial role than CPUs since you last developed something over ten years ago. (It’s time to replace that 1060.) As you noted, Cyberpunk 2077 serves as a solid benchmark. With a 1440P resolution, you could opt for either the RTX4070Ti Super or RX7900XT, followed by an 8-core CPU. The power supply will then be guided by these choices. The case selection is somewhat influenced by the GPU card length.
Welcome back. I don't feel comfortable talking too much about your hardship but since you opened up, i hope your health stays good and wish you the best. Moving on to PC stuff.
A few things have changed. CPU coolers have grown in size considerably. And hard drives have shrunk to the size of a stick of gum. Other than that, everything else was refined and improved but mostly stayed the same.
This build i'm about to recommend is a little bit of a luxury, but without crossing over into insanity. (Costs ~$2250 without monitor and windows, $2684 total)
I'm offering it as food for thought.
Fast 1Tb boot drive, extra 4Tb SSD storage + another 4Tb on a slow HDD.
Some ditched HDDs but for slow files or backups they are worth it.
WiFi 7
USB C Gen 2x2
With GPUs you basically have to decide whether you want to chase 1000+ fps or more in demanding games and higher resolutions. If you do, you have to go over $1000, but if you don't you have three tiers:
$300 - enough for a decent card. RTX 4060 is good, RX6600 or RX7600 are possible alternatives.
$500 - at this point the choice is RX 7800XT, unless nvidia is a must
$700-800 - while not the most powerful card, the 4070 Ti SUPER offers very good performance without costing crazy money. 4080 and 4090 are really for those who want to indulge or want to chase extreme fps.
I've selected a 4070 Ti SUPER, about a nice GPU as you can have without going over $1000 (AMD might have a word about this).
You can drop to RX 7800XT, maybe get more value that way.
However, i forgot the most important thing.
The upcoming RTX 50XX series are rumored to bring a huge performance increase. So investing in an expensive GPU right now could be a mistake.
Strongly recommend you stick with on board graphics until later this year, or pick up a $300 4060 if you must. But that is $300 that doesn't get spent on your new GPU.
CPU cooler is a little bit overpriced, but it is reliable, long lasting and very quiet. Phantom Spirit EVO does the job for half the money though.
The case i chose because you said you wanted something white. This one is frankly odd to consider. But as i happen to own it, i feel i can recommend it. It is nice to work with though not the best. It does have space for all the other stuff i picked so there's that.
It comes with two front intake 140mm fans but no exhaust. I've added one for you to install. Another Noctua, not terribly overpriced or powerfull, but very quiet.
The case is a personal choice because you will have to live with it. If you want another white case, pay attention to CPU cooler height and GPU length.
The PSU has all the power you'll need, plus a little extra. It's also Platinum efficient so it won't waste power.
Reliable too.
CPU is "only" an i5, but the 13700 or 14700 don't justify their prices in my opinion. The i9 is worth it only to those that actualy need the performance. The i5 offers a ton of bang for the buck. Even some i3s are underrated (12100).
RAM is lower latency DDR5. 6000 Mhz 2x16 for 32Gb. It is good, not much to say.
If you later decide to upgrade, the motherboard can support much faster kits, up to 8400 Mhz.
The motherboard is mostly overkill, so if you don't need WiFi 7 and the Gen 2x2 USB-C, you could probably shave some $$$ off the build. That said, this is not an expensive motherboard so the savings may not be worth it.
With motheboards, you need to know that even though many slots are available, some of them cancel each other out if one is used!
For example using some M.2 NVMe SSD slots typically disables a pair of SATA ports. Likewise, using the CPU M.2 slot often degrades the main PCIe 16x slot to 8x, affecting GPU performance. The CPU M.2 slot is the fastest one, but in practise it is a blink of an eye faster than a chipset M.2 which is already very very fast.
On this board you have tons of choices when it comes to ports so you won't be affected as much.
Finally, the monitor. I am not sure which monitor to suggest so i'd leave that up to you and other members. I selected a 32" Dell because i happen to own this model. It's 1440p 60/120/144/165 model, bright and with very good contrast. Doesn't have HDR but i don't care about that.
It is freaking huge at 32" and i think maybe 27" is the sweet spot. Really depends on how close you sit. Maybe someone can recommend a better 27" or 32" monitor. Still, since i'm happy with my purchase, and it's good for work and gaming, and it doesn't cost a fortune, i will toss the recommendation into the hat.
You should check rtings.com. They test many monitors.
If you want to build yourself, start not with the GPU but with the monitor. Then decide how hard you want to push this monitor as this selects your GPU. A knock on effect of this is your power supply demand. CPUs are also power hogs but in general there's a few intels to choose from and a more complicated selection on AMD side.
You want a fast NVMe to boot Windows and maybe for files where speed makes a difference. The second drive is larger, maybe slower but higher capacity drive. 4Tb is good, but you can go as high as you like. You know better than i how to fill out the rest.
Remember you'll need a surge protection extension cord. And if you're going to get a mechanical keyboard, take a look here:
https://www.keychron.com/products/k...om...2031744089
or here:
https://viper.patriotmemory.com/pro...am...iot-memory
PCPartPicker Part List
CPU:
Intel Core i5-13600K 3.5 GHz 14-Core Processor
($284.99 @ Newegg)
CPU Cooler:
Noctua NH-D15 82.5 CFM CPU Cooler
($109.95 @ Amazon)
Motherboard:
ASRock Z790 Riptide WiFi ATX LGA1700 Motherboard
($229.99 @ Newegg)
Memory:
G.Skill Ripjaws S5 32 GB (2 x 16 GB) DDR5-6000 CL30 Memory
($109.43 @ Amazon)
Storage:
Samsung 980 Pro 1 TB M.2-2280 PCIe 4.0 X4 NVME Solid State Drive
($99.99 @ Amazon)
Storage:
Crucial MX500 4 TB 2.5" Solid State Drive
($218.49 @ Best Buy)
Storage:
Western Digital Blue 4 TB 3.5" 5400 RPM Internal Hard Drive
($72.99 @ Western Digital)
***
Video Card:
Gigabyte EAGLE OC GeForce RTX 4070 Ti SUPER 16 GB Video Card
($799.99 @ Newegg)
Case:
Fractal Design North ATX Mid Tower Case
($139.99 @ B&H)
Power Supply:
be quiet! Straight Power 12 1000 W 80+ Platinum Certified Fully Modular ATX Power Supply
($169.90 @ Amazon)
Operating System:
Microsoft Windows 11 Home OEM - DVD 64-bit
($124.99 @ Amazon)
Case Fan:
Noctua S12B redux-1200 PWM 59.1 CFM 120 mm Fan
($14.95 @ Amazon)
Monitor:
Dell S3222DGM 31.5" 2560 x 1440 165 Hz Curved Monitor
($308.00 @ Amazon)
Total:
$2683.65
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by
PCPartPicker
2024-03-24 21:29 EDT-0400
I think this is more or less the best way to spend $2500 on a PC but i'm not sure. So if anyone wants to critique my choices, please do.
I know the z790 board is unneccessary but this one has features and comes with an attractive price tag. Similarly, the K series intels are not worth overclocking, but they are priced better than non-Ks.
KFs and Fs are a hard pass for me. The crummy savings in cash is not worth the loss of the iGPU.