I'm in the process of building my first gaming PC aimed at 1440p gaming at 144Hz. Before finalizing my order, I'd appreciate guidance from experienced builders about potential improvements or anything I'm overlooking besides the case, thermal paste, and Windows. Should I get a case with fans? Are all my components compatible? I'm also curious about the CPU cooler and RAM clearance—will everything fit correctly? Here are my specs:
- GPU: XFX Radeon RX 9070 XT Mercury OC
- CPU: AMD Ryzen 7 7800X3D
- Motherboard: MSI B650 Tomahawk Plus WiFi
- RAM: G.Skill Trident Z5 RGB 32 GB DDR5 6000 MHz CL30
- SSD: Sandisk 2TB
- HDD: Seagate Barracuda 2TB
- CPU Cooler: Phantom Spirit Evo
- PSU: Corsair RM850x 850 W
Thanks in advance for any help you can provide!
2 Answers
Your build looks solid! I recommend considering an upgrade to a B850 motherboard for better performance since you're investing a lot already. The price difference isn't too drastic in the long run. It could give you more future-proofing.
Yeah, the Tomahawk is already a great choice, so unless you're planning on extreme overclocking, stick with that.
For cooling, I suggest the Peerless Assassin as it's highly regarded in the industry. Air cooling is very reliable, but if you prefer water cooling, just make sure to choose a trustworthy brand. Also, checking the height of your RAM is important for compatibility, especially with air coolers.
Just a heads up, the Phantom Spirit Evo is actually an air cooler, so you should be good on that front!

But keep in mind, the B850 can be significantly pricier, and if you're already stretching your budget, the B650 should serve you well.