This is my first PC build, and I'm still learning how to balance the parts. My budget is around $2,300, and I'd prefer every component to be available for shipping through Amazon. The system will be used for gaming, school, and work, so I'd like plenty of storage. I'm currently considering a Ryzen 7 7700X, an Arctic Liquid Freezer III 360, a Gigabyte X870E Aorus Elite WiFi7 motherboard, 32GB of DDR5-6000 memory, a 2TB Samsung 990 Pro SSD, a Radeon RX 9060 XT 16GB, an O11 Dynamic Mini case, and an 850W power supply. The listed total is about $2,149. What would you change, and are there any compatibility or ordering tips I should know before buying?
3 Answers
For a gaming-focused build, the X870E board is unnecessary for a 7700X. A less expensive B650/B850 board gives you the same practical gaming experience and frees money for a faster CPU or GPU. The Samsung 990 Pro is also a premium SSD whose advantage is barely noticeable in game loading; a quality drive such as a WD SN7100 or Crucial T500 should be plenty. Put the savings toward the graphics card, since it has the biggest effect on frame rate.
Double-check those prices before ordering. The memory and 2TB SSD are listed at unusually high prices, and they are consuming a huge part of the budget. 32GB of DDR5-6000 is enough for gaming, school, and normal work, but it should not cost anything close to $450. Also verify the case, motherboard, cooler, and power supply dimensions and connectors, then enable EXPO in the BIOS after installing the memory so it runs at its rated speed.
The build is spending too much on the motherboard, SSD, and possibly memory while leaving less money for the parts that matter most in gaming. A Ryzen 7 7800X3D paired with a Radeon RX 9070 XT would be a much stronger gaming combination at roughly the same total cost. Use a solid B650 or B850 board instead of the expensive X870E model, and a good air cooler such as the Thermalright Phantom Spirit rather than paying for a 360mm liquid cooler. Make sure each replacement is actually sold and shipped through Amazon if that requirement is firm.
Thanks, I’ll recheck those listings and compare the prices before placing the order. I didn’t realize the RAM and SSD prices were that far above normal.