This is my initial complete custom configuration.
This is my initial complete custom configuration.
Good evening everyone. I’m currently assembling my desktop Gaming, Photo studio, and design setup—essentially a strong machine. The budget is around $4000 Canadian. My idea is to possibly install four 32GB DDR5 6000 CL30 sticks if possible. For the graphics card, I don’t need anything above 150 FPS; I’d prefer something above 30 but still capable without breaking the bank. It should be a solid performer without overspending.
I’m torn between the Ryzen 7950X3D and the 9950X3D. My plan is to set up two main monitors—two 27-32 inch curved screens and one or two smaller ones, preferably a touch screen for system monitoring. For the case, I’m considering several options, with the HAVN HS420 being a strong contender alongside the Meshify 3 XL Pro Ambiance from Fractal. I’d like more clearance in the Lacquer 207 digital case to free up space for one of the screens.
The build timeline is the next couple of months, as I’ll be gradually gathering all components over time. Any advice or suggestions for adjustments before investing heavily to prevent compatibility issues would be greatly appreciated.
It’s been too long since I built a PC—my last experience was with a Dell Laptop featuring a Ryzen 7. I’m leaning toward the Ryzen path, as it offered good performance and I’ve only worked with Intel for years. I want to avoid potentially damaging a $900 Intel 13900K. My main goal is to ensure easy upgrades in the future. For now, the CPU cooling will be an AIO 360 Rad setup. I should also keep an eye on what parts to buy and where to find good sources in Canada.
PCPartPicker List of Components
CPU:
AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D 4.3 GHz 16-Core Processor
($959.00 @ Newegg Canada)
CPU Cooler:
Thermalright Royal Pretor 130 81.88 CFM CPU Cooler
($72.90 @ Amazon Canada)
Motherboard:
Asus TUF GAMING X870-PLUS WIFI ATX AM5 Motherboard
($359.98 @ Amazon Canada)
Memory:
G.Skill Flare X5 96 GB (2 x 48 GB) DDR5-6000 CL30 Memory
($479.98 @ Newegg Canada)
Storage:
Western Digital WD_Black SN850X 2 TB M.2-2280 PCIe 4.0 X4 NVME SSD
($200.96 @ shopRBC)
Storage:
Western Digital WD Blue SN5000 4 TB M.2-2280 PCIe 4.0 X4 NVME SSD
($342.21 @ Amazon Canada)
Video Card:
Asus PRIME GeForce RTX 5070 Ti 16 GB Video Card
($1110.99 @ PC-Canada)
Case:
Lian Li LANCOOL 217 ATX Mid Tower Case
($193.19 @ Amazon Canada)
Power Supply:
NZXT C1200 (2024) 1200 W 80+ Gold Certified Fully Modular ATX Power Supply
($255.99 @ PC-Canada)
Overall Cost:
$3975.20
Prices encompass shipping, taxes, and applicable discounts
Created by
PCPartPicker
2025-06-30 23:29 EDT-0400
You should avoid using four RAM sticks with these AM5 processors (and this applies to the newer Intel models too) because of the memory controller limitations. This MSI SSD comes with DRAM cache, and the Antec case has received positive feedback from users.
PCPartPicker Part List
CPU:
- AMD Ryzen 9 7950X3D 4.2 GHz 16-Core Processor – $929.99 (Best Buy Canada)
- CPU Cooler: Deepcool LS720S ZERO DARK 85.85 CFM Liquid CPU Cooler – $105.82 (Vuugo)
- Motherboard: Asus TUF GAMING B850-PLUS WIFI ATX AM5 – $327.99 (PC-Canada)
- Memory: G.Skill Flare X5 64 GB (2 x 32 GB) DDR5-6000 CL30 – $289.99 (Newegg Canada)
- Storage: MSI SPATIUM M480 PRO 4 TB M.2-2280 PCIe 4.0 X4 NVME SSD – $405.36 (Amazon Canada)
- Video Card: Asus PRIME GeForce RTX 5070 Ti 16 GB – $1089.99 (Newegg Canada)
- Case: Antec FLUX SE ATX Mid Tower – $150.99 (PC-Canada)
- Power Supply: FSP Group VITA-850GM 850 W, 80+ Gold Certified – $139.99 (Canada Computers)
Total: $3440.12
Includes shipping, taxes, and applicable discounts
*Selected lowest-priced items based on criteria*
Generated by PCPartPicker
2025-07-04 13:00 EDT-0400
A closer inspection of these parts is recommended.
TUF GAMING B850-PLUS WIFI | Motherboards | ASUS USA
ASUS TUF GAMING B850-PLUS WIFI: Robust motherboard supporting AMD Ryzen™, PCIe 5.0, WiFi 7, USB 20Gbps, and enhanced cooling for optimal performance.
www.asus.com
https://www.gskill.com/product/165/396/1...G32GX2-FX5
https://www.deepcool.com/products/c...-L...7571.shtml
https://www.msi.com/Storage/SPATIUM-M480...0-NVMe-M.2
ASUS Prime GeForce RTX™ 5070 Ti 16GB GDDR7 – Full specs
Comprehensive details of PRIME-RTX5070TI-16G, including graphics, AI performance, bus standards, and memory specifications.
Graphic Engine: NVIDIA GeForce RTX™ 5070 Ti
AI Performance: 1406 TOPs
Bus Standard: PCI Express 5.0
OpenGL: OpenGL®4.6
Video Memory: 16GB GDDR7
Engine Clock: OC mode 2482MHz | Default 2452MHz
CUDA Core: 8960
Memory...
www.asus.com
https://www.fsplifestyle.com/en/product/VITAGM850W.html
https://www.antec.com/product/case/flux-se
Here’s the revised version maintaining the original meaning and structure:
I’m uncertain if the cooler will provide sufficient cooling capacity, especially since the system has run too hot before. For the upcoming upgrade cycle, it should align with the lifespan of the AIO and just ensure everything looks neat. Additionally, I plan to incorporate several ideas into it later on.
The CPU is one of those components where opinions vary widely. This was among the first things I thought about, and you explained your reasoning, which I appreciate. Several factors have led me toward the Ryzen 9 9950x3d as a potential choice because I aim to handle very intensive design and R&D tasks, as well as future-proofing the system overall. I haven’t yet decided on the direction.
I don’t need the 5070ti; I’d prefer a card with 16TB of VRAM such as the 5080 Ti or something similar. While I agree it’s a strong option, I’m leaning toward the 5060Ti for better performance per dollar in my case. As long as I can maintain 60 FPS in flight simulator, I’ll be satisfied.
The case appears to be a refreshed model from the early 2000s. I like it, though it looks too reminiscent of Darth Vader or Borg, which is a style I’ve grown tired of after 25 years with all my setups. Even in white, it feels outdated. I understand it sacrifices some space for a design that resembles Star Trek or Star Wars aesthetics. It’s okay to lose a bit of space for a case that fits the look of those franchises. The main reason I’m evaluating the HAVN HS420 is because I’d like to see them in person before deciding.
The Be quiet Light case
https://www.canadacomputers.com/en/...t-...bgw65.html
I was particularly drawn to it and think it would be simpler to assemble.
Ram is the aspect that really frustrates me when trying to balance various considerations. I’m aiming for as much RAM as possible, so a 64GB configuration seems ideal.
I should also mention that I’ve worked as a maintenance technician in aviation, which means I’m open to all your suggestions.
The decision about the 9950x3d depends on the software you're using. If it doesn't utilize those additional cores, you might be losing money. Being on the AM5 platform offers a straightforward upgrade route if you plan to increase the CPU later. Many editing programs can benefit from GPU usage, which would be quicker than relying solely on the CPU, so I recommend choosing the most powerful GPU you can afford.
Thank you for the link to the review on the 9800x3d. It seems it’s a better match for my requirements. The main thing I’m worried about is how it works with an AutoCAD-like program that supports 3D modeling. You’ve made something truly challenging and helped me rethink what I was aiming for. I’m not entirely confident the ATOWER cooler would provide sufficient cooling. In fact, some of the suggested cases seem outdated and dated.
It seems like it has been longer than expected since I've been away from the game. Particularly with desktop kits. My Ryzan 7 laptop was quite useful for most of my work. I'm probably going to choose between the Ryzen 7 9800x3d or the R9 7950x3d. Now I need to reconsider GPU options that fit my budget and won't be a PNY or gigabyte card, and also match the case I've chosen. It's not unusual for me to change my mind so much when planning a build—I'd like a 5090, but it would be a big jump outside my budget. I'm currently struggling to decide on the GPU debate, especially since staying under $900 Canadian is crucial. I'm not sure if the 5060ti is the best fit. However, I don't need top-tier frame rates for a flight simulator in 4K; I just need a system that can handle what I use it for. That's why I've been looking at the 9950x3d and the 5060 ti, thinking they could balance the overall setup.
5060Ti isn't suitable for a high-end processor with 96-128gb of RAM.
Starting from the RX 5070 as a reference, you can proceed accordingly.
You should ideally be aiming for a 5070Ti or higher; anything beyond that offers little benefit unless you can afford the RX 5090, in which case other options become less relevant.
Radeon cards are generally not recommended for this kind of creative work (though some applications might handle them just fine).