My friend put together a gaming PC parts list, but neither of us is very experienced with selecting components. The budget is around $3,000, though we could potentially spend more if there's a good justification. I already noticed that the RAM and SSDs seem unusually expensive, but I'd appreciate another opinion on the entire build. We're in the United States and have a Micro Center nearby, and the budget also needs to include peripherals. Are there any parts that should be replaced or upgraded, and are both 2TB SSDs really necessary right now?
3 Answers
Since you have a Micro Center nearby, check their CPU bundle deals for the Ryzen 7 7800X3D or 9800X3D. Those bundles can save a few hundred dollars, which could go toward a high-quality 1440p OLED monitor. A 750W power supply should work, but an 850W unit would provide more headroom for a relatively small price increase. The second SSD can probably wait unless your friend already knows they need that much storage.
A $3,000 budget is strong, but RAM and NAND storage are both expensive at the moment. Unless there’s an immediate need for 4TB of space, starting with one 2TB SSD would be more sensible. The Ryzen 7 9800X3D is also newer and faster than the 7800X3D. For cooling, I’d skip the AIO and use a reliable air cooler such as the Thermalright Peerless Assassin; it costs less and avoids the extra maintenance and potential failure points of liquid cooling.
Got it—I’ll pass that along. Thanks for the advice!
The build looks generally solid, but the liquid cooler may not be the best value. A cheaper, stronger option from Arctic or Thermalright would make more sense. I’d also consider buying only one NVMe SSD for now and adding the second later if storage prices come down.
Do you think the RAM is reasonably priced, or would you recommend a cheaper kit?
That makes sense, thanks. I’ll look into the bundles and the monitor options.