I'm planning a new gaming PC and would like to know whether it will handle current and future AAA games at more than 100 FPS. My target is 1080p on high or ultra settings, with the option to play at 1440p around 100–120 FPS, possibly using lower settings or upscaling.
The planned parts are:
- ASRock Radeon RX 9070 Challenger 16GB GDDR6
- AMD Ryzen 5 9600X, 6 cores, AM5
- ASUS TUF Gaming B850-Plus WiFi motherboard
- 32GB DDR5-6000 CL30 memory, 2x16GB
- Gigabyte P650G 650W power supply
I already have a case, fans, monitor, keyboard, and mouse that are still working well. My current system uses a GTX 1060 6GB and an i7-9700K, so this should be a huge upgrade, but I'm hoping the new build will remain useful for roughly six to nine years.
I have only played at 1080p and 144Hz so far, though I may move to 1440p later. Is this a balanced parts list, or would it be better to spend more on one component and save money elsewhere? I'm also wondering whether my Noctua NH-U9S can adequately cool the Ryzen 5 9600X, and whether a 650W power supply is sufficient. Finally, I wasn't familiar with Klevv memory, so I'd appreciate advice on whether it is a reliable brand.
5 Answers
Klevv is not a random low-quality brand; its memory commonly uses SK hynix chips and the DDR5-6000 CL30 kit is a sensible choice for Ryzen. The motherboard may be more expensive than necessary, so compare it with cheaper B650E or B850 boards that provide the features you actually need. The Ryzen 5 9600X is a good general gaming CPU, but an X3D model is worth considering if consistently high FPS is your top priority.
I would replace the NH-U9S with a modern dual-tower air cooler if it fits your case. The 9600X is not especially difficult to cool, so the Noctua may work, but larger coolers are inexpensive and should provide lower temperatures and less fan noise. A Thermalright Phantom Spirit 120 SE is a common budget-friendly option.
I’d strongly consider a quality 750W power supply instead of the 650W model. The graphics card may run on 650W, but extra capacity gives you more headroom for transient power spikes and future upgrades. Make sure the replacement is a reputable model rather than choosing only by wattage.
The RX 9070 should be very capable at 1440p high or ultra settings, often reaching around 100–120 FPS in current games without ray tracing. At 1080p, it will be more than enough for high refresh-rate gaming. Future games are impossible to guarantee, though, especially over a six- to nine-year period.
That’s reassuring. I mainly want enough performance that I won’t feel forced to replace everything again after only a few years.
You do not need to limit this hardware to 1080p. The RX 9070 is better suited to 1440p high or ultra settings, and it may even make 4K with upscaling a reasonable option in many games. For demanding future titles, reaching over 100 FPS at ultra settings may require upscaling, reduced settings, or accepting that some games will be GPU-limited.
I hadn’t heard of Klevv before, which is why I was unsure. I’ll compare the cheaper boards and check the price difference for an X3D processor.