I've been working on my parts list for a new PC build and I'm hoping to get some feedback on whether I'm overpaying for the components. My focus is roughly 65% gaming and 35% productivity, as I do a lot of coding and training models for data science. I realize that my CPU and RAM might be overkill for gaming, but I want to ensure everything runs smoothly. You can check my parts list here: https://pcpartpicker.com/list/VnjhZc. I already bought the GPU, and even though I found a great deal, I'm concerned about choosing a reliable PSU after my last build fried due to a cheap one. What do you think?
3 Answers
You could definitely save some money on the SSD you picked, although it might impact your productivity a bit. As for RAM timings, the ones you have are quite slow, which could hinder performance a tad. You might want to swap that cooler for the Thermalright Phantom Spirit to save around $50-70. Spending a little more on a solid PSU like the MSI MAG 850W could also be worth it and it could improve overall stability.
It seems like your cooler is a bit overpriced. You might want to check out the Thermalright Phantom Spirit as a more budget-friendly option. Also, consider getting DDR5-6000 CL30 RAM; it could save you some bucks and still perform well. You don’t need the fanciest cooler if you’re looking to cut costs.
Thanks for the tip on the cooler! But about the RAM, can you elaborate on why CL30 is priced more? It seems steep for just a timing difference!
With a slight increase in budget, there's a way to build a better setup. I found a configuration that provides 12 powerful cores instead of 6 big and 8 small, plus a cooler that actually keeps up with the 7900X. You can check it out here: [https://pcpartpicker.com/list/DrhTqH](https://pcpartpicker.com/list/DrhTqH). This should give you a huge boost in productivity—like 40% better in Cinebench!
Wow, that’s impressive how you managed to maximize performance for a little more cash! But honestly, I don’t think I'd need that many cores. I’m thinking of sticking with my CPU and applying your cost-saving suggestions for the RAM, cooler, and storage. Thanks for the insights!
Is 850W really necessary for my PSU? I see a lot of mentions about RAM timings, how do those actually impact performance?