I'm planning to replace my entire gaming PC and would appreciate feedback on this parts list. I built my current system in 2022, but it now crashes even at low settings and delivers poor frame rates in the games I play. My budget is roughly $2,500–$2,600. My current hardware is a Ryzen 5 3600, Sapphire Pulse RX 5600 XT, DDR4-3600 memory, a 1TB SATA SSD, an NZXT case and AIO, and an 850W power supply. The new build uses an AM5 platform, 32GB of DDR5 memory, and a Radeon RX 9070 XT. I'm also interested in keeping an AIO cooler because I like the appearance. Are there any parts that are overpriced, unnecessary, or incompatible?
4 Answers
A more balanced version could keep the Ryzen 7 9800X3D and RX 9070 XT while switching to a cheaper PCIe 4.0 2TB NVMe drive, better-priced DDR5-6000 CL30 memory, and a less expensive white 360mm AIO. Add enough fans for bottom and side intake plus rear or top exhaust. You can also choose a quality white ATX 3.1 850W power supply for less than the original unit. Just make sure the graphics card’s required 8-pin connectors are properly supported by the PSU cables.
The overall direction is solid, but some parts seem to carry a large premium without improving gaming performance. The expensive Samsung PCIe 5.0 SSD and high-priced memory are the easiest places to cut back. You could put those savings toward the graphics card or simply stay well under budget. Also, check the case airflow carefully because the O11 Vision Compact does not include the fans you’ll need, so you should budget for additional intake and exhaust fans.
For a gaming-focused build, you could drop to a Ryzen 7 7800X3D and use DDR5-6000 memory with low latency, ideally around CL30 or CL36. That would save money without giving up meaningful gaming performance. A PCIe 5.0 SSD is also unnecessary for gaming; a good PCIe 4.0 NVMe drive should feel the same in games. The AIO is not required for this CPU, but it’s reasonable if you prefer the look.
Before replacing everything, it may be worth checking the current system for overheating, unstable memory settings, driver problems, or a failing power supply. The Ryzen 5 3600 and RX 5600 XT are dated for modern games, but crashes at low settings can also be caused by temperatures or unstable hardware. If the new build is still the goal, the new CPU and GPU will be a substantial upgrade, while the existing 850W supply might be reusable if it is a reputable model and in good condition.
My current system has a Ryzen 5 3600, RX 5600 XT, DDR4-3600 memory, a 1TB SATA SSD, an NZXT case and AIO, and an 850W power supply, although I don’t remember the exact PSU model.
That makes sense. This is mainly for gaming, and I’ll compare less expensive RAM and SSD options. I do still like the appearance of an AIO, though.