Proposed Build ~$4k
Proposed Build ~$4k
I have some additional funds available, and it has been several years since I assembled a custom build.
My goal is to experience 4K resolution, which I haven’t had before. I haven’t listed a monitor yet because I’m still exploring options (looking for suggestions!).
I prefer high-definition gaming but mostly play single-player games, so I’m not prioritizing the fastest response times for online titles like CoD.
What I’m aiming for is quality rather than speed.
I’d like to treat myself as a way to celebrate a significant career advancement. I believe I’ve done my research and hope I haven’t overlooked anything important.
Would anyone have any thoughts?
A few questions to consider:
- Is the 2x32GB RAM configuration with 4x16GB being suitable for me?
- Does a 1000W PSU seem adequate for my setup?
- Has anyone used the PCIe 4.0 Riser cable from Cooler Master? It seems promising, but I’m curious about its performance with this GPU.
My components include:
CPU: AMD Ryzen 7 7800X3D
Monitor: ASUS ROG Crosshair X670E Hero
GPU: ASUS ROG Strix RTX 4080 Super OC
RAM: G.SKILL Trident Z5 RGB Series 64GB (2 x 32GB) DDR5 6400
Storage: SAMSUNG SSD 990 PRO 2TB, PCIe 4.0 M.2 2280
Case: Cooler Master HAF 700 Evo + extra set of 3 Cooler Master MasterFan MF120 Halo, Duo-Ring ARGB
CPU cooler: Cooler Master MasterLiquid PL360 FLUX Close-Loop AIO CPU Liquid Cooler
Power supply: ASUS ROG Strix 1000W Gold Aura Modular
I’m eager to make a good impression and wanted to double-check here before finalizing.
What I observe isn't something you overlooked....
Which games are you playing? Which applications are you using?
Examine the suggested hardware requirements closely for each title and tool.
Most companies list a range—basic, recommended, and top-tier—and you should aim for the highest tier you can afford.
Your $4K budget is impressive, but it likely won’t significantly boost performance compared to spending half that amount.
Cost doesn’t always equal quality...
This is good! I understand I don't need a $4k budget, but I could aim for around $5k—it's mainly about building something solid. This isn't really about the games I play right now; it's more of a hobby or passion. I want it to be dependable, stylish, and last at least several years of games I enjoy.
I had a bad experience once with budget parts in a PC build, which has made me cautious about low-cost components, especially motherboards.
Maybe I should downgrade the motherboard to a Strix X670E-E and save $200, using that to upgrade to the full Strix 4090 OC.
You mentioned "does not mean quality" — are there any parts you think are lower in quality? Let me know if you have any specific concerns. I'm open to suggestions.
Not focusing on a single part, though other posts might mention specific components.
(PSU's usually get many comments and ideas. Still, any item can be discussed to different degrees.)
Each person has unique experiences with products of any kind.
What worked well in the past often turns out less effective for various reasons.
After all the excitement and high prices. Or just looking stylish.
Spend only half or even less if possible.
Keep the rest for future use—whether it's a computer or something else.
I notice some insight here, but you're being careful about naming specifics, so I'll try to infer. It seems Corsair and Thermaltake are also well-rated, though I'm not sure about CoolerMaster PSUs. I probably didn't notice a big price gap when I was browsing, so I went with ASUS thinking it would be reliable, but maybe I should double-check.
When it comes to cutting costs in half... I think I'm overspending on the cooling aspect. That part is mainly about performance and style, not just budget. I'll evaluate other choices to confirm my decision.
Looking at CPU, GPU, and RAM, I've made solid picks so far, and that's usually where most of the cost lies.
In short - are you after results or just flash?
It's simple: buying a lot of flash doesn't improve performance.
And who really benefits from it? You or your friends?
Smart people might notice the flash and laugh.
But if that's what you want, go for it.
If budget isn’t a worry, your selections—though not the most efficient in cost per unit—will still function. RGB is often seen as either excellent or a bit of a rainbow effect, which is acceptable. We frequently receive inquiries about how to build this system. Many of these seem to focus on the most costly components and are unlikely to be bought. Some users may grow tired of such discussions. If you’re building it yourself, be adaptable. Clearly state your primary purpose. You could reduce performance slightly and still allocate more for a high-quality monitor that will last longer than the computer itself.
I don't spend much time on here, so if there is a bit of jading on expensive PC posts I do apologize. That was not my intent.
This is a 100% serious build. I have a combo of everything in my carts at Newegg and Amazon. And for what it's worth, the folks posting so far have been great and I appreciate the focus on value/dollar. That's huge in life. This is kind of the exception I guess, I'm trying to splurge here. For me.
If I'm truly honest, it is bonus/tax return season and I'm setting some of that aside to pay for this system. It's meant as a gift to myself. I worked hard, I buy my wife the accessories she likes, and for once I want to spend some on myself. There are no friends I'm worried about showing off to. What I really want is something that will look really cool, be a fun project for me to assemble and obsess over, and be able to play whatever games I choose for the next several years.
I've been thinking about going with something fully liquid cooled, as maybe that would be a great project to try? But that one is a little bit more intimidating to me.
I'm not afraid of spending some $ on bling for myself. What I really want to make sure is that I'm not doing something overly stupid, like buying a component that is well known for failure, or a PSU that won't work with the GPU, or something to that effect. I have built several PC's in my life and the last one (about 10 years ago) was a really tough experience due to some of the lower cost components I chose.
I'd like to be able to play, let's say, Cyberpunk 2077 in 4k on a nice size monitor. If a new Elder Scrolls game comes out, I want to be able to run ENB-like mods on it without worrying about performance (I used to do a lot of Skyrim modding some years back). Or maybe I'll try the new Spiderman 2 game? Who knows. I also have no idea what is coming out in the next couple years.
I like your point about the nice monitor. That's definitely where I need to go from here, and I could use all the advice you have for that! Like I said, I really want 4k, and I was hoping to go bigger than 27". I don't know much about curved or wide screens, and I'm a bit worried whether that is even helpful for gaming as opposed to a nice 4k rectangle. This won't be a working PC, just for gaming.
I answered this in the post just above, so I won't re-write anything. Yeah, it's bling. But it's for me. If anyone wants to chuckle at me, I guess they can go ahead.
I can tell it isn't what you would do. I actually really appreciate the perspective. I assure you, I'll take a second look at everything if folks think there is a better way to get the bling I want with the performance but at a better price. I went with the ASUS stuff because I thought it would a) look nice as a matching set, and b) perform well together. Maybe that is wrong?
I'm not in a rush. I have the stuff in my cart but I can take some time to review individual piece selections. My biggest concern is actually that this stuff will deliver while I'm out of state on business (truly part of why I never have anything nice for myself at home, I travel quite a bit).
I chose the CPU I did because I read that it benchmarked just as good if not better than the 7900x3d, and the 7950x3d seemed almost equivalent in performance. The GPU I felt was a solid choice? I could go for the 4090 OC too. Maybe I'll look at dropping that MB a couple hundred and I will feel better about going with the 4090. Is that top price and worst value for dollar? Yes, it is. I know. That's ok. This is meant to be something I can look at and enjoy here at the house for its own sake.
As far as the RAM goes, I actually read on here that was really good RAM, so I just kind of went with it. The PSU and case are super bling, for sure. Especially the case and cooler and fans.
I realize it's not your particular flavor here, but I would totally welcome suggestions if you feel like spending the time posting to me. Thanks