I'm building my first PC from scratch and would appreciate a second opinion on the parts in my build. Are there any compatibility problems, setup issues, or areas where I should spend my budget differently? I'll be reusing the SSD and case fans from my current computer. My maximum budget is about $2,300 USD, and the main goal is strong 1440p gaming. I'm fine with lowering settings in some games rather than expecting everything to run at ultra.
3 Answers
The more advanced motherboard features are optional rather than requirements. Faster Ethernet, Wi‑Fi 7, and a PCIe 5.0 graphics slot won’t improve gaming performance on their own, so a cheaper board with the connectivity you actually need is perfectly reasonable. Before ordering, verify that the board has the BIOS support needed for your chosen CPU, that the cooler fits the case and memory, and that your reused SSD is compatible with the motherboard’s available storage slots. Also check the condition and age of the existing fans before carrying them over.
You may be able to get better value by avoiding premium branding where it doesn’t improve performance. DDR5-6000 with low latency, such as CL30, is a good target for an AM5 gaming build, but availability and pricing in Romania matter more than a specific kit recommendation. The graphics card model is also usually less important than the GPU itself; if a cheaper RX 9070 XT is available, it should perform very similarly unless the cooler, noise, warranty, or dimensions are substantially different. A less expensive 850W Gold unit from a reputable model line could also free up money, but there’s no need to change a reliable unit just for the sake of changing it.
The build looks solid overall. The Montech Century II 850W is generally considered a good-quality power supply, so I wouldn’t replace it automatically. An 850W unit is also a sensible capacity for this kind of gaming system. Just make sure it includes the modern graphics-card power connector you need and that the cables are connected directly rather than relying on questionable adapters.
The Century II is rated well and is a popular choice, so the original power supply should be fine. If the Ryzen 7 9800X3D fits your local pricing, it could be worth considering, but it isn’t necessary if it pushes you over budget.
The recommended memory isn’t available to me in Romania, and the motherboard with newer networking features costs more here. I only have a 1 Gbps internet connection and don’t expect that to change soon. I also chose the graphics card because it was the least expensive RX 9070 XT I could find locally.