I'm planning to build a gaming PC in the UK with a total budget of roughly £2,000–£2,500, including only the computer and monitor. I'd like to save money where possible while still having a high-end system capable of running demanding games such as Red Dead Redemption 2 and Cyberpunk 2077 at 1440p. Since the requirements for GTA 6 are unknown, I'd also like the build to be reasonably prepared for it. I'll be using Linux and would appreciate feedback on component choices, possible compatibility concerns, and areas where I could reduce the cost without sacrificing gaming performance. My current parts list includes a Ryzen 7 7800X3D, Radeon RX 9070 XT, 32GB of DDR5-6000 memory, a 1TB NVMe SSD, a 360mm liquid cooler, a B850 motherboard, a 1000W power supply, and a 1440p 240Hz monitor. The estimated total is £2,352.94.
4 Answers
The motherboard and liquid cooler are areas where you’re spending more than necessary. A Thermalright Phantom Spirit 120 SE air cooler is around £35 and is more than capable of handling the Ryzen 7 7800X3D. You could also use a solid B850 board closer to £110–£150, provided it has the features you actually need. The savings could go toward a larger SSD or simply reduce the overall budget.
An 850W power supply should be sufficient for this CPU and RX 9070 XT, so the 1000W Platinum unit is probably unnecessary. You could also choose a less expensive B850 motherboard if you don’t need its specific connectivity or expansion features. The Phantom Spirit 120 SE is another good cooler option, and a case such as the Meshify 3 may provide excellent airflow for less money than the full tower.
Thanks for the suggestions. I’ll look more closely at the power requirements and airflow-focused cases.
There’s room to make the build more budget-friendly without losing gaming performance. The key changes are using a capable air cooler instead of a premium liquid cooler, choosing a reasonably priced motherboard and 850W PSU, and upgrading to a 2TB SSD. The Ryzen 7 7800X3D and RX 9070 XT are the parts worth keeping for a high-end 1440p gaming system.
You can reduce the cost while improving the storage capacity. A cheaper 360mm cooler, a less expensive B850 motherboard, a 2TB WD Black NVMe SSD, a smaller Fractal North case, and an 850W Gold-rated power supply would bring the total down to around £2,307 without changing the CPU, graphics card, memory, or monitor. The 2TB drive is a much better fit for a modern game library than the original 1TB option.
Thanks, that’s really helpful. I appreciate the revised parts list.
Thank you very much for the advice. I’ll compare the air cooler and cheaper boards.