I've been doing my homework for weeks and I'm finally ready to purchase the parts for my first PC build! While I will be doing a bit of gaming and streaming in my spare time, my main focus is on productivity, particularly using Adobe programs like Premiere Pro and After Effects, along with some Blender work. Here's what I have so far:
**CPU:** Intel i9-12900k
**Motherboard:** ASUS Z790 Prime Gaming WIFI7 Intel LGA 1700 ATX
**RAM:** G.Skill Ripjaws S5, starting with 32GB (2x16GB), but I want to upgrade to at least 64GB, maybe even 128GB.
**GPU:** I'm looking at the 5060 Ti for about $500, but I've heard a GPU can help but isn't crucial for my needs. My backup option is the RTX 3060 for around $285. I really need advice on this as it's been a tough choice for me.
**Storage:** Samsung 990 PRO 2TB NVMe SSD.
**Power Supply:** Corsair RM750e 750W Fully Modular PSU.
**Cooling:** Lian Li Galahad II 360mm Liquid CPU Cooler, but I'm still open to suggestions for air cooling options if needed. I'm making this choice mostly for aesthetics, but I want to save some cash if I can.
**Case:** Lian Li 011 Vision Compact.
I've also considered AMD CPUs and GPUs, but they don't seem to meet my needs or budget as well as Intel and Nvidia do. Let me know your thoughts!
2 Answers
Check out Puget Systems' hardware recommendations for After Effects. They’ve got some useful insights that could help you weigh the GPU options. Just a heads up, the 12900k is solid for video editing, but be careful with DDR5 RAM; it usually doesn’t play nice with more than two sticks on consumer boards. For your GPU, the 5060 Ti might need a beefier power supply than 750W—like around 850W—especially since i9s can draw a lot of power. Also, for storage, 2TB can feel a bit limiting for media work; consider getting a PCIe 4.0 SSD like the WD SN850x if you want to save some bucks and go bigger.
Thanks for this! Really helpful info!
You might want to compare benchmarks between the Intel i9 and AMD Ryzen 7 builds. The Ryzen 9 9900X can hold its own, but it may not support all formats as well as Intel does. The i9 has great support for video tasks, especially with QuickSync, which you'll find handy. If you can, check out the performance charts for both to see if the price difference is worth it for you.
I was looking at those benchmarks too! But without QuickSync, would the Ryzen actually be better for my specific tasks?
Also, I’m planning to flip the 2x16 RAM sticks from the bundle and just go with the 2x32 for my needs. Appreciate the heads up on the power supply!