I purchased 64GB of DDR5 RAM back in 2024 with the intention of building a new PC, but I haven't gotten around to it yet. I'm now planning to use this RAM alongside the AMD 9950X3D processor. My primary usage will be about 30% gaming, 40% video editing, and the rest for browsing and running emulators. Currently, I'm using a PC I built in 2016 with an i7-6700K and 32GB of RAM, which has been performing well despite upgrades to my storage and graphics card over the years. If I do build a new PC, my old one will become a server for various purposes at home.
I'm currently unsure about a few components:
1. Do I really need to go for an X870E motherboard, or can I look at more affordable options? What should I consider while selecting a motherboard?
2. What cooling solutions would you suggest? I'm leaning toward liquid cooling but am open to options.
3. Will a 1000W power supply be sufficient for my setup?
4. With GPU prices being high, I'm thinking of sticking with my AMD 5700 for now. Do you think that's a good call, or should I consider an upgrade sooner?
7 Answers
Since you're going with the 9950X3D, you should focus on a motherboard that matches its capabilities. Make sure to consider things like the number of M.2 slots, PCIe lanes, and whether you want PCIe 5.0 or 4.0 support. Zen6 is on the horizon, so planning for future upgrades might influence your decision too. Good luck with your build!
You really don’t need an X870E. Most users don’t need the extra features. I found a used A620M for just $40, and it does its job without breaking the bank. As long as you’re not overclocking that X3D chip, you’ll be fine on a less expensive board.
Wow, 64GB of DDR5 in 2024 must've cost you a pretty penny! Hope it was worth it. If you don't mind sharing, how much did you pay for it?
I grabbed the Corsair Vengeance 6000MHz for around $145.
If you don’t require USB 4 or Wi-Fi 7, the MSI X670E Gaming Plus Wi-Fi has been pretty well-reviewed and trusted without major issues. It’s a solid choice!
A 1000W power supply should be good enough, especially if you're keeping the 5700 GPU. If you think about upgrading to something like an RTX 5080 down the line, it’ll still hold up. For cooling, while air is easier to manage, liquid cooling usually brings lower temperatures. Just pick what suits your comfort and budget!
Honestly, any upgrade for your setup is going to be awesome! Congrats on planning to build a new PC!
Right now, I'd recommend checking out Gigabyte boards since they've had the least amount of issues overall. You don't necessarily need an X870E motherboard unless its features are crucial for what you want. Sometimes, a solid B650 board with good VRM cooling and power phases can do the job just fine. Just look at the specs and see what fits your needs!
I did consider that option, but I realized I need more NVMe slots, which the A620M lacks.