My PS5 stopped working, so I'm planning to build my first gaming PC. I mostly play CPU-heavy games such as Rainbow Six Siege and Fortnite, but I also play more demanding GPU games occasionally, including Minecraft with shaders. My current parts list is an RTX 4070, Ryzen 7 5700X3D, B550 motherboard, 32GB of DDR4 memory, a 1TB NVMe SSD, an ASRock Pro 750W power supply, a Thermalright Assassin Spirit 120 cooler, and a case with a mesh front panel. I'm not completely sure whether everything is compatible or whether this is a sensible setup for the money. Are there any parts I should change before buying?
4 Answers
The parts should work together, but enter the complete list into PCPartPicker to check compatibility and potential clearance problems. You’ll still need to choose an actual case and confirm that the graphics card, CPU cooler, and power supply fit inside it.
A 750W power supply gives you reasonable headroom for the RTX 4070 and possible upgrades. Choose a reputable, reliable model rather than the cheapest option. Also check whether the motherboard includes Wi-Fi and Bluetooth if you need those features, and buy the SSD from a trustworthy manufacturer.
Since you’re buying a whole new platform, it’s worth comparing a DDR5 build as well. The 5700X3D is excellent for gaming, but AM4 and DDR4 have limited upgrade options. Moving to a newer CPU platform with DDR5 could cost a little more now while giving you a better future upgrade path.
The build is solid for gaming, but pay attention to airflow. A mesh-front case with several decent fans is a good choice, especially if the room gets warm. Also verify that the B550 motherboard supports the 5700X3D with its current BIOS; some older boards may require a BIOS update.
That CPU may need a newer BIOS on older B550 boards, so a model with BIOS Flashback would make the update easier if necessary.
The AM4 option can still be good value if it’s substantially cheaper, but DDR5 is worth considering if the price difference is small and you plan to upgrade later.