I'm about to build my very first gaming PC, and I could use some help with selecting the right parts. I'm aiming for something in the upper-mid range that allows for future upgrades, and I have a budget of $1800. Most importantly, I need at least 2TB of storage, 32GB of RAM, and an 8-core processor for some work-related tasks. I've been shopping around, and I found everything for about $1600 from a local shop, but the motherboard I wanted (MSI MAG B850 Tomahawk WIFI) wasn't available, which has made my selection a bit tricky. One of my biggest fears is making sure that all the components are compatible and that there aren't any potential bottlenecks. Any advice on what parts to choose or what to avoid would be really helpful!
3 Answers
You don't necessarily need to stick with the Seasonic PSU. There are plenty of other high-quality options that are less pricey. Check out this one I found: [Sama P1200](https://pcpartpicker.com/product/gDTFf7/sama-p1200-1200-w-80-platinum-certified-fully-modular-atx-power-supply-p1200-bkpff001-us). It'll free up some budget for that 9070 XT upgrade you're eyeing.
For the power supply, you might want to look into a reliable brand like Corsair, specifically their 850W models. They offer good efficiency and you can save some cash to invest in a better GPU like the 9070 XT instead of stretching your budget on overly expensive parts.
I just got the 850e model for around 115 CAD, and it's been working perfectly! Plus, it has a solid 7-year warranty.
I was wary of cheaper PSUs since they can be power-hungry. I found a spreadsheet to compare them, but I'm still unsure if a higher wattage would be better.
Honestly, it looks like you've chosen some great parts! Just keep in mind for future upgrades, going with a stronger PSU, like 850W or even 1000W, will really help if you decide to upgrade to options like the RX 9070 XT or RTX 5080 down the line.
I was considering a more powerful PSU as well, but wasn’t sure if it was necessary.
Thanks for the suggestion! Unfortunately, I can't find those in stock, but I'll keep looking for a beefier PSU.