I'm planning my first complete PC build and would appreciate feedback on the parts and cooling. I live in a small student flat in Norway, so keeping the system relatively quiet is important. My budget is around $2,000, although I already own some components.
The computer will mainly be used for moderately demanding gaming, including heavily modded Minecraft, indie games, and newer titles at good—not necessarily 4K—settings. I'll also use digital audio workstations such as Logic Pro and Microsoft Studio. Ideally, I'd like the system to remain capable for roughly 10 years, with smaller upgrades such as more RAM or a newer graphics card later on.
I plan to reuse a Samsung 980 Pro 2TB NVMe SSD and a Gigabyte EAGLE OC RTX 3060 Ti 8GB. I considered reusing my existing 16GB of DDR4 memory, but I'm leaning toward a newer DDR5 platform instead.
My current parts list is:
- Case: Fractal Design North ATX Mid Tower
- CPU: Ryzen 7 9700X
- Motherboard: Gigabyte B650 UD AX
- GPU: RTX 3060 Ti 8GB
- Memory: Kingston Fury Beast DDR5-6000 CL30, 16GB
- CPU cooler: be quiet! Dark Rock 5
- Storage: Samsung 980 Pro 2TB NVMe SSD and Seagate Barracuda 2TB HDD
I haven't decided on case fans or a power supply yet. Does this build make sense, and what PSU and fan setup would you recommend? I'd also appreciate general advice for someone assembling a complete PC for the first time.
3 Answers
For the PSU, check the estimated system wattage with a build calculator, then choose a high-quality unit with plenty of headroom. A good 750W model should likely be enough for a 3060 Ti system, while 850W gives more flexibility for a future GPU upgrade. Look at well-reviewed lines such as Corsair RMx or comparable models, and check independent noise testing if silence is a priority.
The 2TB Barracuda is an SMR hard drive, so it’s less ideal for frequent writing or moving large amounts of data. It can work as inexpensive bulk storage, but a CMR drive such as a WD Blue or another suitable NAS/desktop model would be a better choice if the price difference is reasonable. For airflow, start with two front intake fans and one rear exhaust fan; use large, slow-spinning fans and tune their curves in BIOS for a quiet system.
The RTX 3060 Ti is still perfectly reasonable for your stated resolution and games, especially if it hasn’t been holding you back. You don’t need to replace it just because the rest of the system is new. Upgrade the GPU later when your actual games or display make that necessary.
The 9700X is a solid general-purpose processor, but it may not be the best value if gaming is the main priority. An X3D processor can provide better gaming performance, while a cheaper Ryzen 7000 or 9000 chip may offer better value for mixed workloads. Compare current local prices before deciding rather than choosing solely by model number.
Make sure the memory kit is a matched pair rather than one 16GB stick. For this platform, 32GB as 2x16GB DDR5-6000 with a reasonable CL, such as CL30 or CL32, is a much better starting point for modded games and audio work. Also check whether the motherboard has a BIOS version that supports the Ryzen 7 9700X; older B650 stock may need an update, although a board with BIOS-flashback support makes that easier.
The Dark Rock 5 should be adequate for the 9700X, and the Fractal case should have good airflow with a simple front-intake/rear-exhaust layout. Enable the memory profile in BIOS after installation, update the motherboard BIOS if needed, and test temperatures and stability before applying any overclocking.
That makes sense. I’m not aiming for high-refresh-rate 4K gaming, and the 3060 Ti hasn’t been a bottleneck so far, so I’ll probably keep it and revisit the GPU later.