This is my first time putting together a PC, so I'd appreciate some advice on whether the parts are well balanced and if anything should be changed. I'm planning to play mostly single-player story games along with some competitive multiplayer titles. My budget is about $4,000 CAD, and the current parts list includes a monitor, but I'm not sure whether the total is meant to cover the display as well. What would you change to improve the build or reduce unnecessary spending?
4 Answers
The Canadian version of the parts list comes out to roughly $4,787 CAD, so it’s notably over your stated budget. Clarify whether the $4,000 limit is for the computer alone or also includes the monitor, since that will affect the recommendations.
There are several easy places to save money without meaningfully hurting performance. Similar-spec RAM kits can cost around $140 less, and comparable SSDs may save over $100. An ASRock Steel Legend SL-850G power supply could reduce the cost by about $30. Windows Home is also sufficient for most gaming PCs unless you specifically need Pro features, and it costs less.
The system should be excellent for 1440p gaming. Since it uses a Ryzen 7 9800X3D, use a strong cooler—something like a 360 mm Arctic Liquid Freezer or a high-end air cooler such as the Dark Rock Elite or Noctua NH-D15 G2. You can also use PBO curve optimization to reduce temperatures, though the exact undervolt depends on the individual chip.
Before judging whether the parts are balanced, it would help to know what resolution and refresh rate you’re targeting. A build for 1440p gaming can be significantly different from one intended for 4K high-refresh gaming.
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