This is my first time putting together a PC, and I'd appreciate some guidance on the parts I'm considering. I already own the Radeon RX 9070 XT graphics card and the case, but I'm still deciding on the rest of the build. I'm especially interested in suggestions for more future-proof components or ways to lower the cost without sacrificing too much performance. I'm currently looking at a Ryzen 7 9800X3D, a 360mm liquid cooler, and 16GB of RAM, but I'm open to changes. Any beginner-friendly advice would be really helpful.
2 Answers
A few changes could improve the value. If your motherboard already includes Wi‑Fi, you can remove the separate Wi‑Fi adapter. You could also look for a less expensive motherboard. The Ryzen 7 9800X3D does not require a 360mm liquid cooler; a good air cooler such as a Thermalright Peerless Assassin should be enough. The money saved on the motherboard, cooler, and possibly the case could go toward 32GB of RAM instead of 16GB. If you want to cut the cost further, a Ryzen 7 9700X is another option, although the 9800X3D is the stronger gaming-focused chip.
Overall, the build looks solid. It may be worth comparing different RX 9070 XT models, since some run cooler or quieter than others. That said, if you found this model for about $100 less, keeping it is perfectly reasonable. Just check reviews for its temperatures and noise levels, and consider a mild undervolt if needed.
I did look at other versions, but this one was around $100 cheaper where I live, so I decided the savings were worth it.