I'm building my first PC and I'm a total newbie. I've put together a parts list within a $1500 budget and would love to get some feedback on it. I'm planning to use it mainly for gaming and work. Here's the breakdown of the parts:
- CPU: AMD Ryzen 7 7800X3D 4.2 GHz 8-Core Processor
- CPU Cooler: Thermalright Peerless Assassin 120 SE 66.17 CFM
- Thermal Compound: Arctic Silver 5
- Motherboard: Asus TUF GAMING B850-PLUS WIFI ATX AM5
- Memory: Kingston FURY Beast 16 GB (2 x 8 GB) DDR5-5200
- Video Card: Sapphire PULSE Radeon RX 9060 XT 16 GB
- Case: NZXT H5 Flow (2024) ATX Mid Tower
- Power Supply: Corsair RM750e (2025) 750 W Fully Modular
- Case Fan: Thermalright TL-C12C X3 120 mm 3-Pack
- Monitor: Acer Nitro XV1 XV271U M3bmiiprx 27.0" 2560 x 1440 180 Hz
The total comes to about $1463.78. I'm new to this, so if you have any suggestions or see any mistakes, please let me know!
5 Answers
Honestly, your setup isn’t great for gaming if your CPU and GPU are in such a price mismatch. If you mainly play esports, it might work, but if you're looking at any AAA games, the balance feels off. You should consider getting a 9070 and perhaps downgrading the CPU to save some cash for a more powerful GPU.
Exactly! The GPU usually plays a bigger role in gaming performance.
Overall, everything looks decent, but switch that RAM to 2x16GB DDR5-6000 CL30. Get rid of the thermal paste you're planning to buy since the cooler includes it. If using a 1440p monitor, consider downgrading the CPU a bit to strengthen your GPU choice. You want a well-rounded build for that budget!
Cool, I appreciate these pointers. I'll make the changes!
Absolutely! Also, don't forget to plan for storage.
You might want to upgrade the RAM to 2x 16GB of 6000 CL30 instead. Also, the thermal paste isn't necessary since the cooler comes with its own. Overall, the rest of your build looks pretty solid! What kind of games do you plan on playing? If you're into AAA titles at 1440p, a Ryzen 9 9600X with a 9070 GPU might give you better performance.
Is that CPU really overkill for this build?
Yeah, I guess it's a bit much for my budget. I might consider downsizing.
If you're spending around $1500, get a better GPU. Consider stepping down to a 7600X for the CPU; this would give you more budget for a stronger GPU, which is more important for gaming. Also, definitely bump the RAM to 32GB of 6000 CL30 for better performance now and in the future.
Thanks! I guess I need to do a bit more research on RAM options.
Don't forget about seasonal sales. You might find great discounts soon!
I’d suggest checking out motherboard bundles at a local store like Microcenter. You could potentially save money that you could then put towards a better GPU. For your use case, a cheaper B650 or B850 motherboard would work just fine too.
Great idea! I’ll check nearby deals.
Bundles can be a lifesaver on a budget!
So you're saying I should focus more on the GPU?