I'm planning to build my first PC from scratch because my current prebuilt has developed serious problems over the past year, including noticeable FPS drops, overheating, and restarts whenever I launch demanding games such as Cyberpunk 2077. I want to replace everything and spend roughly $3,000. The system should handle modern games like Cyberpunk 2077, Black Myth: Wukong, Elden Ring, and similar titles at high settings while remaining useful for future releases.
My current parts list is:
- CPU: AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D
- CPU cooler: Arctic Liquid Freezer III 360 ARGB
- Motherboard: MSI PRO B850-V EVO WiFi ATX
- Memory: Corsair Vengeance 32GB DDR5-6000 CL36
- Storage: Crucial P310 2TB PCIe 4.0 NVMe SSD
- GPU: MSI GeForce RTX 5080 16GB Ventus 3X OC
- Power supply: MSI MAG A850GL PCIe 5, 850W, 80+ Gold
- Case: Cougar CFV235 ATX mid-tower
I'd appreciate feedback on compatibility, value, cooling, memory, and especially the power supply. I'm open to reducing the cost or upgrading parts if there are better choices. Also, I noticed the cooler may have been listed twice, so I want to make sure I'm not accidentally buying two CPU coolers.
2 Answers
That setup should handle the games you listed very well, although the 9800X3D and RTX 5080 are already enthusiast-level parts. You could lower the total cost by choosing a less expensive GPU or CPU depending on your monitor resolution and refresh rate, but keeping them makes sense if you want high settings and plenty of longevity.
The motherboard looks like a sensible value option, and the case is fine as long as it has enough airflow and room for the 360mm radiator and large graphics card. Make sure it includes several intake and exhaust fans, or budget for additional PWM fans. Also check the SSD price: if a similarly priced drive has better sustained-write performance or a stronger warranty, it may be worth considering, though game loading times will be broadly similar.
The overall parts selection is strong, but the memory is a slightly weaker choice. DDR5-6000 is a good target for this platform, though CL30 or CL32 would be preferable to CL36 for a small latency improvement. You only need one CPU cooler—the Arctic Liquid Freezer listing appears twice in the parts list.
For the power supply, I’d step up from the MAG A850GL to a higher-quality model such as MSI’s MPG A850G PCIE5, or another reputable 850W ATX 3.0/3.1 unit with a native 12V-2x6 connector. An 850W model should generally be sufficient, but a quality 1000W unit is also reasonable if the price difference is small and you want more headroom for transient GPU loads or future upgrades.
For this kind of build, I’d prioritize a good 850W or 1000W ATX 3.1 supply over simply choosing the cheapest unit with an 80+ Gold label. The platform rating and build quality matter more than the efficiency badge alone.
Since the old system overheats and resets, I’d pay particular attention to airflow rather than assuming the new parts alone will solve everything. Use front or bottom intake fans, rear or top exhaust, and confirm that the radiator placement doesn’t restrict the GPU’s fresh air.