Hey folks! I'm gearing up to build a new PC soon and I've just snagged a 5070 Ti. I'm trying to decide between a couple of CPU bundles from CanadaComputers. Here's a quick rundown of the options I'm looking at, including how much you save by choosing these bundles instead of buying the parts separately (all prices are in CAD):
1. AMD R7 9800X3D CPU + GIGABYTE X870 AORUS ELITE WIFI7 Motherboard + CORSAIR RGB 32GB D5 6000MHz Black RAM for $1099.98 (saves $128)
2. AMD R7 7800X3D CPU + MSI MAG B650 TOMAHAWK WIFI Motherboard + CORSAIR RGB 32GB D5 6000MHz RAM for $819.98 (saves $208)
3. AMD R7 7800X3D CPU + ASUS X870 MAX GAMING WIFI7 Motherboard + CORSAIR RGB 32GB D5 6000MHz RAM for $939.98 (saves $98)
I'm inclined to save some cash for a new monitor, as I currently don't have a 1440p one, which would suit the 5070 Ti better. I'd like to understand the main differences between the B650 and X870 motherboards, aside from the WIFI7 feature. I'm planning to use WIFI for this setup, so that's a key factor for me. Thanks in advance!
2 Answers
Hey! So the main difference between the B650 and X870 motherboards is primarily in their PCIe lane management. The B650 and most B850 boards have two M.2 slots, each with four dedicated lanes from the CPU, whereas the X870 might allocate some of those lanes to a USB4 controller. Additionally, the X870 supports PCIe 5.0, which might be a nice future-proofing feature if you plan to upgrade later. But if USB4 isn’t a priority for you, the B650 could be a more sensible choice!
Totally get that—if you don't need USB4 or PCIe 5.0, I'd say don’t stress about the X870. Go for the one that best suits your budget!
For sure, a 1440p monitor is a must with a 5070 Ti! It’d feel silly to build such a capable rig and then run it on 1080p.
Haha, exactly! The 5070 Ti deserves a good display to really shine, otherwise it’s kind of a waste.
Thanks for clarifying! I’m leaning towards option 3, but I'm still weighing if the price jump from the 7800X3D to the 9800X3D is justified.