Question First PC Build! - Tips, Ideas, Updates, Learning?
Question First PC Build! - Tips, Ideas, Updates, Learning?
Hi everyone!
This is my first attempt at assembling a PC, so any advice, suggestions, tips, or guidance would be greatly appreciated. My understanding of PCs is quite limited, which is why I was hoping to get some help through this forum. For years, I've always dreamed of building a PC and now I'm in the right place to do it. The main purpose will be gaming at 1440p resolution, aiming to run any single-player or multiplayer games. My budget is roughly $2,000.
I've done some research on suitable GPU and CPU pairings and found that the AMD Radeon RX 7900 XTX and the AMD Ryzen 7 7800X3D are the best matches for my needs. If there are other combinations that fit better within my budget or better suit my requirements, please let me know!
The PC I've built with my limited knowledge and budget can be found here: https://pcpartpicker.com/list/rdHr7R
I was mainly focused on saving money and staying close to my budget, but I'm still not sure how well everything would work together.
If anyone could offer some tips or recommend a build that fits my budget, it would be really helpful!
Thank you!
The PCPartPicker list includes the following items:
- CPU: AMD Ryzen 7 7800X3D 4.2 GHz 8-Core Processor ($384.00 @ Newegg)
- CPU Cooler: be quiet! Dark Rock Pro 4 50.5 CFM CPU Cooler ($73.90 @ Newegg Sellers)
- Motherboard: Asus ROG STRIX B650-A GAMING WIFI ATX AM5 Motherboard ($262.99 @ Amazon)
- Memory: Corsair Vengeance 32 GB (2 x 16 GB) DDR5-5600 CL36 Memory ($94.99 @ Amazon)
- Storage: Samsung 970 Evo Plus 2 TB M.2-2280 PCIe 3.0 X4 NVME SSD ($79.98 @ Amazon)
- Video Card: XFX Speedster MERC 310 Black Edition Radeon RX 7900 XTX 24 GB ($959.99 @ Amazon)
- Case: NZXT H5 Flow ATX Mid Tower Case ($84.99 @ Amazon)
- Power Supply: Corsair RM850x (2021) 850 W 80+ Gold Certified Fully Modular ATX ($147.99 @ Amazon)
Overall cost comes to $2088.83
The listed prices encompass shipping, taxes, and any applicable discounts.
This information was generated by PCPartPicker on 2023-08-23 05:13 EDT-0400
You can reduce the overall expense without significantly compromising build quality. However, please note that the default pricing is in the US, so recommendations may vary depending on your location due to factors like distribution, taxes, and customs. If you're not in the US, let me know.
PCPartPicker Part List:
https://pcpartpicker.com/list/rdHr7R
CPU: AMD Ryzen 7 7800X3D 4.2 GHz 8-Core Processor ($384.00 @ Newegg)
CPU Cooler: Thermalright Phantom Spirit 120 SE ARGB 66.17 CFM ($40.90 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: Gigabyte B650 AORUS ELITE AX ATX AM5 ($199.00 @ Amazon)
Memory: G.Skill Flare X5 32 GB (2 x 16 GB) DDR5-6000 CL30 ($87.00 @ Amazon)
Storage: Samsung 970 Evo Plus 2 TB M.2-2280 PCIe 3.0 X4 NVME SSD ($79.98 @ Amazon)
Video Card: ASRock Phantom Gaming OC Radeon RX 7900 XTX 24 GB ($939.99 @ Newegg)
Case: Fractal Design Pop Air ATX Mid Tower ($79.99 @ B&H)
Power Supply: Thermaltake Toughpower GF3 TT Premium 850 W ($109.99 @ Amazon)
Total: $1920.85
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts where applicable
Generated by PCPartPicker on 2023-08-23 05:13 EDT-0400
It remains quite hot but doesn't match an AIO tier unless you choose the K SKU and stick to a 65W base TDP. It should work with a dual tower cooler, though if you prioritize silence and improved heat handling in high temperatures, an AIO on Intel chips is still the best option.
I've looked into the F model, which still offers a solid maximum boost. However, it clocks 5% lower at peak performance and drops a staggering 38% at base clock! Someone mentioned using an Arctic Freezer II AIO could push it to 90°C, but that was measured on Cinebench after a 10-minute session—so I’m not convinced it would handle gaming heat well.
I’m hesitant about giving up the built-in graphics, even if I might only use them during a rare GPU replacement. Still, I usually stick with my old GPUs, so having an EVGA GTX 1080 SC as a solid backup would be great. It should easily outperform the onboard graphics, which some say are good for video editing—something I do frequently. I’m curious though, whether it really beats the onboard encoding setup in the newest 4000-series cards. Probably not.
I’m also thinking about whether it’s feasible to turn off the built-in graphics to reduce TDP. The real issue is I can’t find benchmarks comparing a 13700K and a 13700F that show CPU temperatures. If you know of any, please share links. There are modern titles like Jedi Survivor that, according to a trusted source, should exceed 75°C in a decent case—unless you use something like an Arctic Liquid Freezer II 420. It’s not just the price of the AIO that bothers me; I can buy one for under $135, but the maintenance is tougher and these units don’t last as long as a quality twin tower cooler with fans.
I don't suggest using a separate boot drive with 256GB until developers stop supporting Squirrel Installer, which will likely never happen. Many people aren't familiar with changing Squirrel to avoid using the default C: path, and many popular applications rely on it. A 256GB drive will quickly fill up. It's better to opt for a 512 or 1TB drive instead, and prioritize a larger NVMe storage while reducing PCIe bandwidth needs.
personally id choose a 1000w psu as the standard for the 7900xtx and the cl30 6000 ddr5, which is the optimal choice for AMD cpus.