Hey everyone! I'm new to PC building and seeking your advice. Until now, I've been using a gaming laptop for both work and leisure, but it's finally slowing down for most games, even on low settings. With my degree completed and a job now, I'm diving into building my first real gaming PC! Here's what I've picked out:
- AMD Ryzen™ 9 9950X3D CPU
- Gigabyte Radeon RX 9070 XT Gaming OC 16G GPU
- MSI B850 Gaming Plus WiFi Motherboard
- Samsung SSD 990 EVO Plus NVMe 2.0 PCIe 4.0 x 4 / 5.0x2 2TB SSD
- WD Red Plus 4TB HDD at 5400 RPM
- Fractal Design North XL Charcoal Black TG Case
- ARCTIC Liquid Freezer III Pro 360 Cooling
- MSI MAG A1000GL PCIE5 PSU
- Crucial Pro RAM DDR5 64GB Kit (2x32GB)
I calculated the total cost to be about €2,600 when including a decent monitor. I plan to mainly use this build for gaming and programming, not crypto mining or anything. My main concern is whether I've made some poor choices with my components or if I'm spending too much for something I won't fully utilize. I want this build to last but don't want to waste money on unnecessary power. Any input would be greatly appreciated!
4 Answers
I'd recommend rethinking your storage choices. Most of your games should be on an SSD for speed, maybe a 2TB SSD to start, and you can add more later if you need space. Be sure you’re getting RAM that’s speedy enough too, like DDR5-6000. There's definitely room to trim some costs here without sacrificing performance!
For the specs listed, spending €2,600 does feel like a stretch, especially with a mid-tier GPU. If you're focusing mostly on gaming, consider a more balanced setup like a Ryzen 5 9600X or a 7800X3D. The PSU you chose is great, but you might not need such an extreme cooler unless you're really pushing your components. Check the deals during the sales—there are often more cost-effective parts available!
I think you could save some cash by downgrading the CPU a bit. The Ryzen 9 9950X3D is pretty powerful, but if your primary use is gaming and light programming, the Ryzen 7 or even the 9800X3D would suffice. As for the GPU, maybe consider upgrading that if you're really into gaming; a better GPU would give you more bang for your buck. Also, the WD Red HDD is not really needed for gaming—maybe stick to SSDs for speed instead!
Honestly, yeah, you're probably overspending for what you need. The 9950X3D is a powerhouse for gaming and programming, but it may be more than necessary unless you're doing some highly demanding tasks. Plus, the HDD choice seems a bit off—better to go for more SSD storage and avoid using an HDD for games if possible! You might also want to drop down to a cheaper cooler unless you plan on hardcore overclocking. Saving here can really help your budget!
Agreed! You could always add more storage later if you need it, especially with SSDs being so easy to install after the fact.
Totally agree! A good SSD and the right RAM can really make a difference in performance for your build.