I'm planning a PC primarily for 1440p gaming and software engineering, including core and systems work. My current parts list is 32GB DDR5-5600 RAM, a Ryzen 7 9700X, an ASUS PRIME RTX 5070 Ti, an 850W MSI MAG A850GL power supply, and a 1TB NVMe SSD. I'm also considering a Thermalright Phantom Spirit 120 SE cooler, an MSI B650M Gaming WiFi motherboard, and a well-ventilated case with multiple fans. I may dual-boot, so I'm wondering whether I should make any changes, especially to the memory or storage.
4 Answers
Don’t forget that you’ll need an AM5 motherboard, a CPU cooler, and a case with good airflow. The Phantom Spirit 120 SE should be a solid choice for the 9700X. The MSI B650M board may work, but check that it has the features and BIOS support you want, especially enough M.2 slots, USB connectivity, and suitable power delivery.
I’d strongly consider a 2TB NVMe SSD instead of 1TB. Modern games, development tools, virtual machines, and two operating systems can fill 1TB surprisingly quickly. You can always add another drive later, but starting with 2TB would be more convenient.
If gaming performance is your top priority, it’s worth comparing the 9700X with an X3D chip such as the 7800X3D. The X3D processor can be faster in some games, while the 9700X is a newer, more balanced option for compiling, multitasking, and other productivity workloads. For gaming plus systems-focused engineering, the 9700X is still a sensible choice unless the X3D chip is heavily discounted.
The overall parts list makes sense. I’d change the memory to a 32GB DDR5-6000 kit with suitable timings, since Ryzen 9000 generally pairs better with 6000 MT/s than 5600. The 850W PSU is more than adequate for an RTX 5070 Ti, assuming the specific unit is good quality and properly connected.
I was planning to dual-boot, so 2TB probably makes more sense. Thanks!