I'm putting together a MicroATX build aimed at gaming at 1440p, while keeping the budget in check. I've picked up a few components second-hand to avoid price hikes, and I'm looking for advice on the remaining parts. Here's the list of components I've secured so far: an RTX 5070 Shadow 2X GPU for €525, 32GB of Corsair Vengeance DDR5 RAM at 6000MHz for €280, and a 2TB Kingston KC3000 SSD for €140. For the rest of the build, I'm considering the Ryzen 7 9700X (which is a bit cheaper) or the 7800X3D for the CPU, and I've found a motherboard for about €150. I like the Lian Li A3 case for its aesthetic and size, but I'm open to other recommendations. Also, I'm unsure about the PSU—are there affordable small-form factor options? Lastly, I need advice on cooling: is an AIO cooler worth it, or do I need additional case fans?
1 Answer
First off, where are you buying from? It helps to know the options available regionally! If you're in the Netherlands, you might find some good deals across the border in Germany too.
As for your build, MicroATX isn't much different in terms of assembly from ATX. It's mainly about fitting everything snugly, and lots of cases are designed to save desk space, which is a plus.
I recommend budgeting about 40% of your total hardware costs for the GPU. For your setup, you'll want at least a 4070 or 5070, paired with a Ryzen 7—just be cautious with picking between the 9700X and the 7800X3D. The 7800X3D is generally better for gaming, especially at your price point.
Exactly! The 9700X and 7800X3D are in similar price ranges, but the 7800X3D can handle gaming loads way more efficiently. Plus, you're correct about the RAM latency concerns, especially for future-proofing.