I'm planning to replace my six-year-old PC with a new gaming system and have a budget of about €2,000. I can stretch that by roughly €300–400, but I'd prefer to stay close to the original amount. I'm considering a Ryzen 7 9800X3D and a high-end 1440p graphics card. Are there parts I could change to improve performance or reduce the cost? Also, does the 9800X3D really need an AIO cooler, or would an air cooler such as the Thermalright Peerless Assassin 120 SE be sufficient?
4 Answers
A high-end air cooler is more than adequate for the 9800X3D. Even CPUs with higher cooling requirements can run well with a Thermalright Phantom Spirit EVO in a case with good stock airflow. Focus on choosing a case with several intake and exhaust fans, and make sure the motherboard firmware and CPU settings are configured properly.
I’d look at a stronger B850 motherboard rather than the current board. It should offer better power delivery, connectivity, and upgrade options without needing to move to an expensive enthusiast platform. For a 1440p build, a Radeon RX 9070 XT paired with a Ryzen 7 7800X3D could also provide excellent gaming performance while leaving more of the budget for the graphics card.
For a roughly €2,000 system, I would avoid spending too much of the budget on the 9800X3D if that means compromising on the GPU. The graphics card matters more for most 1440p gaming, particularly if you plan to keep the PC for three or four years. A 7800X3D is still a very capable gaming CPU and could free up money for the rest of the build.
I also considered an RTX 5070 Ti, but it costs around €400–500 more. I’m not sure the performance increase justifies that price, so I’d be interested in alternatives.
The 9800X3D does not require an AIO. A good dual-tower air cooler should handle it well, especially in a case with sensible front-to-back airflow. An AIO can help maintain boost clocks and may suit a showcase-style case with restricted airflow, but it is not necessary for normal gaming.
That makes sense. I was mainly considering a glass-sided showcase case, so I’ll compare its airflow against a more conventional case before deciding.
Do you have any recommendations for conventional airflow-focused cases besides the Corsair model in your example build?