Hey everyone! I'm diving into building my first gaming PC and I've settled on a setup that costs about $2,000 from Micro Center. I'm looking for your thoughts on the components I've picked, as I want to make sure there are no major red flags. I feel confident about the power supply, case, and CPU cooler, but I'm particularly interested in feedback about the CPU, motherboard, and RAM since I'm getting them in a bundle deal for $500. Here are the key components I'd like your opinion on:
- **CPU:** Ryzen 9 9900X
- **GPU:** AMD Radeon RX 7900 XT SPEEDSTER MERC 310
- **MOBO:** X670E MAG Tomahawk WiFi AMD AM5 ATX
- **RAM:** G Skill Flare X5 Series 32GB DDR5-6000 CL36
- **Storage:** Samsung 990 PRO 4TB M.2
I plan to use this build for gaming (titles like BG3, Cyberpunk 2077, Monster Hunter Wilds, and Helldivers 2) and also for some 3D CAD modeling for work. Any thoughts? Thanks!
2 Answers
For mostly gaming, I'd recommend considering the Ryzen 7 7800X3D instead of the 9900X. The 7800X3D is currently top-tier for gaming and you might find bundles at Micro Center that are competitively priced. If you're into both gaming and CAD work, the 9900X is decent, but it usually performs slightly lower in gaming compared to the 7800X3D. By the way, if this is for gaming, the difference between DDR5-6000 CL36 memory and CL30 isn't huge, but it can provide slight performance boosts. Try to negotiate at Micro Center for better RAM options; they might help you swap it!
As for the GPU, while the 7900XT is solid, it might be worth checking out the 7900XT or even an Nvidia option if your CAD software utilizes CUDA, which can greatly improve performance. And regarding storage, while the 990 PRO is among the best, you could save cash with something like a SATA SSD unless your CAD tasks demand super-fast load times. Just ensure your PSU is in good condition; the Corsair RM 1000E is a good choice for future upgrades!
Your component choices look solid, but keep in mind that for pure gaming, you might want to prioritize slightly different specs. The 9800X3D is another strong gaming CPU that could be worth looking into. We’re seeing very few games needing more than 8 cores, so the 9900X might be a bit of an overkill for just gaming. On the GPU side, stocks of the 7900XT are limited, and prices can be inflated. If you find a good deal on the 9070XT or any Nvidia cards, it might be worth considering based on what you're doing with CAD as well.
As for storage, unless you're dealing with massive files or really need the speed for your CAD work, a good mid-range SSD will typically suffice. Lastly, confirm compatibility of your PSU if you ever consider swapping in different components down the road. Overall, though, it sounds like you're on the right track!
Thanks for the feedback! I think I’ll stick with the 9900X for now to keep my costs down, but I appreciate the heads-up about it being overkill. I'm also planning to get the Corsair RM 1000E just to be covered for future upgrades.
Thanks for your input! The deal on the 9900X is hard to pass up at $226, and I'm a bit worried about going over my budget if I change the bundle. I'll keep the 7800X3D in mind, though! I’m also looking into the 9070XT since it sounds like a great alternative.