Any Advice on This High-End AM4 Gaming PC Build?
Asked by
MellowCedar42
I'm finally upgrading from my aging gaming PC now that I have a full-time job and a larger budget. I've built several entry-level systems before, but this would be my first higher-end build. My current GPU is a GTX 1660 Super, and I already own two 8GB sticks of the listed RAM plus the 1TB SSD.
Planned parts:
- AMD Ryzen 7 5800X3D
- XFX Mercury Radeon RX 9070 XT
- Team T-Force Delta RGB 3600MHz, 4×8GB
- ASUS ROG Strix B550-F Gaming WiFi II
- Samsung 990 Pro 1TB NVMe
- Corsair RM750e fully modular PSU
- Thermalright Frozen Warframe Pro RGB 360mm AIO
- Phanteks Evolv X2 Matrix case
I chose AM4 because I already have compatible memory and didn't want to pay extra for DDR5. I currently have a Ryzen 5 5600X, so I'm also wondering whether I should keep it for now rather than buying a 5800X3D. Are there any compatibility, power, cooling, or value concerns with this parts list? I'm also considering a Samsung Odyssey G55C monitor, Logitech G502 Hero mouse, Audio-Technica ATH-M30x headphones with an inexpensive DAC, and a Keychron K8 keyboard.
Answers
For a new build, 2×16GB is generally preferable to 4×8GB because it puts less stress on the memory controller and leaves room for future expansion. Also, a 360mm AIO is not essential for this setup; a strong air cooler or smaller liquid cooler should be plenty unless you specifically want the appearance.
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A 1TB drive will fill up quickly with modern games and applications. If the budget allows, add a second 2TB SSD or replace the current drive with a larger one. You can always add storage later, but it’s worth planning for now.
MellowCedar42: It’s definitely expensive, but you’re right that I should budget for more storage.
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The graphics card manufacturer recommends an 800W power supply for that RX 9070 XT, so I’d step up from the 750W unit. A quality 850W model would give you more headroom and avoid running close to the recommendation, especially with transient power spikes.
MellowCedar42: Good point—I’ll plan on getting a higher-wattage PSU.
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The 5800X3D is still a strong gaming CPU, but its pricing can be hard to justify on an older platform. Since you already have a 5600X, it may be worth trying it with the new graphics card first. Upgrade to the 5800X3D only if you’re seeing CPU-limited performance, particularly at lower resolutions or high refresh rates.
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MellowCedar42: I’m currently using a Ryzen 5 5600X. Do you think it would bottleneck the new GPU badly, or should I keep it until a better-value AM4 upgrade appears?