I want to build my first gaming PC instead of buying a prebuilt, but I have very little knowledge about components and compatibility. My goal is to play demanding games such as Bodycam at high settings with smooth FPS, while also being able to run a wide range of other games well. I previously played CS:GO at around 70 FPS on an old laptop, so I'm hoping for a major upgrade.
I was considering a Ryzen 7 7800X3D or 9800X3D paired with a Radeon RX 9070 XT because AMD seems more affordable than Nvidia. My budget is currently around €1,200–€1,500, although I might be able to stretch it to roughly €1,700. I'm located in Italy and would consider waiting for seasonal sales if that makes a meaningful difference. What parts or build would you recommend, and what resolution should I target?
3 Answers
For a first build, I’d prioritize the graphics card and use a more affordable processor such as a Ryzen 7 7700, Ryzen 5 7600, or another current midrange AM5 chip. Pair it with 32GB of DDR5-6000 memory, a reliable 750W power supply, and a reasonably priced B650 motherboard. That should give you a balanced 1440p system without spending too much on a high-end CPU that may not improve performance much at that resolution.
Yes, provided the graphics card is strong enough. For Bodycam and similar demanding games, the GPU matters more at 1440p, so a sensible midrange CPU with a good graphics card is usually a better balance than pairing the most expensive X3D chip with a weaker GPU.
A 7800X3D and RX 9070 XT combination is possible, but not within €1,200–€1,500 unless you make significant compromises on the other parts. Once you add 32GB of DDR5 memory, storage, a decent power supply, a case, motherboard, and a cooler, the total can go above €2,000 in Italy. You’ll probably need to lower the graphics card or CPU choice, increase the budget, or wait for unusually good discounts.
The 7800X3D offers better value than the 9800X3D for this budget, while the 9800X3D mainly gives you better top-end performance and stronger low FPS results in CPU-heavy games. The RX 9070 XT is a strong choice for 1440p at high or ultra settings, and it can handle 4K at medium to high settings depending on the game. If you’re only targeting 1080p, a 16GB RX 9060 XT could leave more money for the rest of the system.
So a build based on those parts could still run Bodycam at high settings smoothly, even without the 9800X3D?