Hey everyone! I'm finalizing my PC build and would love your input. I'm aiming for a solid setup primarily for gaming, especially Minecraft, but I might get into content creation later on. My budget's around $2500, and while I live about 40 minutes from a Micro Center, I want to minimize trips, so ideally I'd get it all right in this list.
Check out my parts list:
- **CPU:** AMD Ryzen 7 7800X3D 4.2 GHz 8-Core Processor ($369.99)
- **CPU Cooler:** Noctua NH-D15 chromax.black CGI ($139.94)
- **Motherboard:** Asus ROG STRIX X870-A GAMING WIFI ATX AM5 ($259.99)
- **Memory:** Silicon Power XPOWER Zenith Gaming 64 GB (2 x 32 GB) DDR5-6000 CL30 ($164.99)
- **Storage:** Samsung 990 Pro 2 TB M.2 NVMe SSD ($149.99)
- **Video Card:** Asus PRIME OC Radeon RX 9070 XT 16 GB ($769.99)
- **Case:** Be quiet! Pure Base 500 ATX Mid Tower ($92.90)
- **Power Supply:** Corsair RM850e 850 W Fully Modular ATX ($119.99)
- **OS:** Microsoft Windows 11 Home ($119.99)
- **Case Fan:** ARCTIC F12 PST 5-Pack ($29.99)
Totaling $2217.76 (excluding the case, which I already own). Any suggestions on what to change? Thanks for the help!
2 Answers
Overall, your build looks pretty solid! Just remember, 32GB of RAM is more than enough for gaming these days, even for Minecraft. You could also look at getting a faster SSD for less money. If you do decide to go with a cheaper power supply that's still reliable, it'll definitely help keep you under budget while getting good performance. Check out this list I put together that might save you some $: [Budget Build List](https://pcpartpicker.com/list/qnxXt3). It’s pretty much identical in performance but cuts down on the price significantly!
I’d recommend swapping the RAM to 32GB instead of 64GB; it’s more than enough for gaming. Also, consider the Thermalright Phantom Spirit cooler as it's cheaper and still effectively cools the 7800X3D. You could save a lot if you switch to a bundle deal from Micro Center, like this one: [Micro Center Bundle](https://www.microcenter.com/product/5006986/amd-ryzen-7-7800x3d,-asus-b650-e-tuf-gaming,-gskill-flare-x5-series-32gb-ddr5-6000-kit,-computer-build-bundle). And for the GPU, the cheapest RX 9070 XT still performs the same—no need to splurge on a fancier model. Better cooling could come from a case with mesh front panels!
Thanks for the suggestions! I want to make sure I'm maximizing my budget, so I appreciate the input. I've heard mixed things about RAM and cooling, so this helps a lot!
Got it! I really want to utilize my budget well, so I’ll look into that. Cheers for that list!