I'm putting together my first gaming PC and would appreciate feedback on the parts list. I'm aiming for a powerful, well-balanced system and want to know whether anything should be upgraded, replaced, or reconsidered before I buy everything.
- CPU: AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D
- GPU: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5080 16GB
- Motherboard: MSI MAG X870 Tomahawk WiFi
- Memory: 32GB DDR5-6000 CL30
- Storage: 2TB PCIe 4.0 NVMe SSD
- CPU cooler: Thermalright Assassin X 120 Refined SE
- Power supply: 850–1000W, 80+ Gold, ATX 3.1
- Case: Lian Li Lancool 216
- Operating system: Windows 11
Is the current cooler sufficient, or should I switch to a larger air cooler or a 360mm liquid cooler? Any other compatibility or value concerns would also be helpful.
2 Answers
This is already a very strong gaming build. The main part I’d reconsider is the CPU cooler: the Assassin X 120 is on the small side for a 9800X3D. A quality dual-tower air cooler, such as the Thermalright Phantom Spirit, would provide more cooling headroom without the added complexity of liquid cooling.
The parts list looks solid overall. You could use a good 360mm liquid cooler, such as the Arctic Liquid Freezer III 360, if you prefer an all-in-one setup, but it isn’t strictly necessary for gaming. A capable dual-tower air cooler should be sufficient and is generally simpler and easier to maintain.
I was considering the Arctic Liquid Freezer III 360, so it’s helpful to know that a strong air cooler may be enough.
That makes sense—I’ll take a closer look at the Phantom Spirit. Thanks for the suggestion.