I'm completely new to building PCs and put together this parts list with quite a bit of help from AI. I tried to research everything myself, but I'd appreciate a second opinion before buying the remaining components.
CPU: AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D
CPU cooler: Thermalright Phantom Spirit 120 SE
GPU: Sapphire Pulse Radeon RX 9070 XT 16GB
Memory: Corsair Vengeance 32GB (2x16GB) DDR5-6000 CL30
Motherboard: MSI MAG B850 Tomahawk WiFi
Storage: WD_BLACK SN850X 2TB NVMe SSD
Power supply: Corsair RM850x SHIFT 850W, ATX 3.1
Case: Fractal Design Epoch Black Solid
I'm leaning toward AMD because I plan to use Linux, probably an Ubuntu-based distribution, and I've heard AMD graphics support is generally convenient there. I already bought the memory because it was heavily discounted from €550 to €470, so I would prefer to keep that kit.
The PC will mainly be used for gaming, but I also want it for game development, music production, and video editing. My current games are not especially demanding, though I'd like enough performance for GTA VI when the PC version eventually releases. Ideally, I'd like to play it at high or maximum settings in HD without constantly adjusting settings, although I understand that exact performance cannot be guaranteed before the game's final PC requirements are known.
Are these parts compatible and well balanced for my uses? Is anything unnecessarily expensive or overkill, and are there any fitment or setup issues I should check before ordering the rest?
3 Answers
The parts are good, but the build may be spending more than necessary. The 9800X3D is a premium gaming chip, and the B850 motherboard is also a fairly feature-rich choice. If your priority were value, you could save money on the CPU or board and put it toward a larger SSD, more memory, or simply keep the difference.
That said, the 32GB DDR5-6000 CL30 kit is a sensible configuration for AM5, and it should be fine for gaming and general creative work. For heavier video projects, large development environments, or lots of music sample libraries, moving to 64GB later may be more useful than upgrading the CPU.
The main thing to verify is the case and power-supply fit. SHIFT-series power supplies place their modular connectors on the side, so they need enough clearance behind the motherboard tray or side panel. Check the case specifications and leave room for the cables rather than relying only on the PSU’s standard length.
The 850W unit is more than adequate for this CPU and GPU combination, and the ATX 3.1 specification is a sensible choice for a new build.
The overall build is very powerful and should handle current games comfortably at 1440p, with 4K also being realistic depending on the title and settings. The 9800X3D is excellent for gaming, although it may be more CPU than you need if your main goal is simply high-resolution gaming. The 9070 XT is also a strong match for that level of performance.
A GPU support bracket is worth considering because that card is fairly heavy and could sag over time. A CPU contact frame is optional rather than essential; it can help distribute mounting pressure, but the system will work without one.
Thanks! I hadn’t considered GPU support or a contact frame, so I’ll look into both.
I checked the case measurements after being warned about the side-facing connectors, and it appears to have about 30 mm of clearance. I’ll still make sure the cables aren’t being forced against the panel during assembly.