I'm pretty new to building PCs and I'm excited to start my project! Here's the list of parts I have so far:
- CPU: AMD Ryzen 5 9600X
- Motherboard: MSI PRO B650-S WIFI, ATX
- RAM: G.SKILL Ripjaws S5 Series (Intel XMP 3.0) DDR5 RAM 32GB (2x16GB)
- GPU: ASUS GeForce RTX 5070 OC Edition 12GB GDDR7
- SSD: KLEVV CRAS C910 1TB M.2 2280 NVMe PCIe
- PSU: XPG Core Reactor II Modular PSU: ATX3.0-80 Plus Gold
- Cooler: Thermalright Aqua Elite 360
- Case: NZXT H5 Flow 2024
I have a few questions:
1. Can I swap the RTX 5070 OC for a regular 5070? I'm unsure what the difference really is since the OC version is about $90 more. I know one can overclock but I wouldn't know how to do that.
2. I've seen coolers that display the PC's temperature. Is there a reasonably priced option under $100 that would fit my build?
3. I read that the Ryzen 7600 might be a better choice than my planned 9600X. Is that true or false?
Any additional tips for a first-time builder would also be greatly appreciated! Thanks!
2 Answers
Honestly, a 360mm AIO cooler is probably overkill for your Ryzen 5 9600X. A good air cooler should do just fine and save you some cash. Plus, if you're considering a cooler with a temp display, those tend to be pricey. You might be better off just getting something like the Thermalright Phantom Spirit 120; it's cheaper and effective!
Also, the 'OC' in the GPU name just means there's a slight factory overclock, which only gives you about 1-2% more performance. You can find the regular 5070 and easily overclock it yourself if you wish, and it only takes a few minutes!
As for the CPUs, the 9600X actually performs about 5% better in gaming and 10% better in productivity tasks compared to the 7600X. If the prices are similar, go with the 9600X!
Overclocking usually has minimal downsides if you do it right, but it can generate more heat. Just make sure your cooling is good, and you should be fine!
If you're open to going for a Ryzen 7, I think it's worth considering if your budget allows it! Ryzen 7 would give you better performance overall, especially if you plan on doing tasks beyond gaming. Your other parts look solid, though!
Is there a Ryzen 7 model you recommend for this set-up? I’m still learning all the specifics.
Thanks for the info! I appreciate it! I checked and the RAM I picked does have the 6000 CL30 specs. Regarding overclocking, I heard it can be risky. Is it really worth it, or are there downsides?