What does this $2,500 gaming console actually offer?
What does this $2,500 gaming console actually offer?
CPU: AMD Ryzen 7 7800X3D running at 4.2 GHz with four cores
Cooler: Deepcool AK620 delivering 68.99 CFM airflow
MB: Asus ROG STRIX B650-A gaming Wi-Fi ATX motherboard with AM5 support
RAM: Patriot Viper Venom featuring 128 GB of DDR5-6400 CL32 memory
SSD: Crucial T700 1 TB M.2-2280 PCIe 5.0 X4 NVME drive
GPU: XFX Speedster MERC 310 Black Edition Radeon RX 7900 XTX with 24 GB video memory
Case: Thermaltake Core P3 TG Pro ATX mid-tower enclosure
PSU: EVGA SuperNOVA 850 GT 850 W, certified 80+ Gold, fully modular design
The idea is to set up a Linux gaming setup in the living room, positioned on the wall (as shown in the case), capable of running any game and replacing my Xbox Series X and PS5. I plan to connect it to a 4K display.
Regarding the substantial RAM capacity, this upgrade will also swap out my current $180/month rental machine from Vultr, which I use for a project. It currently holds 64GB but would benefit from an additional 128GB.
Any suggestions for improvements?
* PS - which gamepads or controllers would work best with Linux distributions such as SteamOS, NobaraOS, or PikaOS? I need them to install and use immediately, with comfortable design and stable operation.
The Gen 5 drive is quick, but it won’t make much difference. A bigger 4.0 drive would be more beneficial. I haven’t located that particular RAM. If it’s actually two 2x32GB units, it probably won’t function well at all. DDR5 and four sticks of RAM tend to be unreliable, often not reaching their advertised speeds. The safest choice would be a genuine 4x32GB package. Luckily, x3D chips are less sensitive to RAM issues compared to other components. PCPartPicker Part List CPU: AMD Ryzen 7 7800X3D 4.2 GHz 8-Core Processor ($385.89 @ Amazon) CPU Cooler: Deepcool AK620 68.99 CFM CPU Cooler ($54.99 @ Amazon) Motherboard: ASRock B650E PG RIPTIDE WIFI ATX AM5 Motherboard ($199.99 @ Newegg) Memory: Corsair Vengeance 128 GB (4 x 32 GB) DDR5-5600 CL40 Memory ($429.99 @ Amazon) Storage: Silicon Power UD90 4 TB M.2-2280 PCIe 4.0 X4 NVME SSD ($214.99 @ Amazon) Video Card: ASRock Phantom Gaming OC Radeon RX 7900 XTX 24 GB Video Card ($919.99 @ Newegg) Case: Thermaltake Core P3 TG Pro ATX Mid Tower Case ($137.99 @ Amazon) Power Supply: be quiet! Pure Power 12 M 1000 W 80+ Gold Certified Fully Modular ATX Power Supply ($129.90 @ Amazon) Total: $2473.73 Costs cover shipping, taxes, and any available discounts Created by PCPartPicker 2024-02-08 13:32 EST-0500
Looks acceptable overall, but I’d switch the memory and SSD. Ryzen chips benefit from lower latency, even if it means sacrificing some speed. The ideal specs would be around 6200 with a CAS latency under 30 for optimal performance. I’d consider the Corsair Vengeance DDR5 96GB memory—it offers less storage but runs much better with Ryzen and boosts chip performance. For the SSD, PCIe Gen 5 drives don’t provide significant real-world gains compared to Gen 4, so I’d opt for a different model. Emulated games can be much faster than expected, making a 2TB drive worthwhile. Samsung produces some top-tier SSDs, so sticking with them makes no sense. The Samsung 990 Pro 2TB would be a solid choice.
From what I've observed, xbox controllers work well with Linux. xpadneo is an interesting initiative where users have developed methods to link xbox controllers to a Linux machine without wires. Most controllers function in wired mode, and there are numerous generic drivers that should suit most gamepads. However, I would personally explore this option because wireless connectivity offers significant convenience for many users.
I also consider others' opinions regarding upgrading to a larger Gen 4 SSD. A 1TB drive will load games quickly given their increasing size, especially if used as a console replacement. Additionally, I believe installing 96GB of RAM would provide a balanced choice between performance and storage, making it suitable for gaming and other tasks.
Use two RAM sticks to prevent issues. Filling all four slots doesn't guarantee better performance. A 1 Tb NVMe is sufficient for running the OS, while games require a larger NVMe or additional drives. At least 2 Tb is recommended for gaming.
The ram will function flawlessly across all platforms you choose, it's mainly a marketing tactic and the information on the box won't influence performance on an amd system. Although I haven't used the 8bitdo ultimate controllers myself, many positive reviews exist, and it's likely there are suitable linux drivers available due to the standard configuration. The paddles on the back are uncertain, but they shouldn't be a major issue since third-party drivers might not support them immediately. In reality, any of these gpus would be adequate. These are high-end radeon cards, so manufacturers aren't reducing quality to save costs—unlike with cheaper models where cooling components are often compromised. It's not a bad board, and the price is reasonable for a good value.
4 sticks are sufficient, especially if you have a matched 4 stick kit. The issue often arises when combining two 2 stick kits together.
Yes, but motherboards can be finnicky about data rates when populating RAM slots, esp. if overclocking is involved. If the user is not aware of limitations, it can lead to dissapointment or problems.
This is one of those things like CPU cooler size or RAM clearance where it pays to read the fine print.
Of course, if maximum RAM is a requirement, then 4 slots have to be used but it's advisable to triple check that the 4x RAM kit in question *will* work at it's stated Mhz and will not be throttled.