I'm a long-time lurker but about to dive into my first custom PC build! I've assembled my parts list and would love your thoughts before I hit that purchase button. This setup is mainly for gaming at 1440p, including AAA titles and competitive games, as well as Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024. Additionally, I'll be doing some light to moderate CAD modeling and software development. I plan to run several applications at once, like CAD software, IDEs, and browsers, sometimes even while gaming. Therefore, I want a balanced machine that can handle all these tasks without a hitch.
Here's my proposed build list:
|Component|Part|Cost|
|:-|:-|:-|
|CPU|Intel Core Ultra 7 270K Plus 3.7 GHz 24-Core Processor|$349.99 |
|CPU Cooler|Thermalright Phantom Spirit 120 SE ARGB 66.17 CFM CPU Cooler|$37.90 |
|Motherboard|ASRock Z890 Lightning WiFi ATX LGA1851 Motherboard|$179.99 |
|Memory|Silicon Power XPOWER Cyclone RGB 48 GB (2 x 24 GB) DDR5-7200 CL36 Memory|$420.97 |
|Storage|Silicon Power US75 2 TB M.2-2280 PCIe 4.0 NVME Solid State Drive|$269.79 |
|Video Card|Sapphire PULSE Radeon RX 9070 XT 16 GB Video Card|$699.99 |
|Case|Corsair iCUE LINK 3500X RGB ATX Mid Tower Case|$96.00 |
|Power Supply|Rosewill VMG 750 W 80+ Gold Certified Fully Modular ATX Power Supply|Free with GPU purchase|
Total cost: $2,054.63
I have a few concerns:
1. Can the Thermalright Phantom Spirit 120 SE effectively manage the Intel Core 270K Plus's 250W MTP under heavy loads? Should I consider upgrading to a 240mm AIO for better cooling?
2. The 48GB RAM kit I chose consists of two 24GB sticks. Has anyone had experience with this setup achieving stable DDR5-7200 XMP?
3. The PSU came free with the GPU; is the Rosewill VMG750 reliable, or should I invest in a Corsair RM750e for more peace of mind? I don't plan on aggressive overclocking, so will 750W be enough or do I need to go to 850W?
4. Are there any glaring issues with my build or parts that you'd recommend swapping out?
Also, I'm open to suggestions on the building process since this is my first time. Thanks for any advice!
1 Answer
Your build looks great for the price! For the cooling, if you’re considering AIOs, a 360mm cooler is definitely the way to go. The Thermalright option you have might struggle a bit on heavy loads, so swapping it for a 360mm AIO could be worth it. Some budget-friendly ones are the Arctic Liquid Freezer 3 if you're after good performance.
For your PSU, the Rosewill VMG750 is decent for free, but I’d suggest looking into something rated higher if you plan to push the system anywhere near its limits. I’ve heard good things about the SAMA G1000—well-built and great value!
As for the RAM, Intel’s memory controllers are pretty solid, so you should be fine with the 7200 MHz. And regarding the SSD, if you’re looking to save a bit or get better performance, consider some reliable alternatives like the Patriot P400 Lite or TeamGroup NV5000.
Thanks for the recommendations! I'll definitely check out the Arctic cooler. Any thoughts on going for a Gen5 SSD instead?