I'm looking to build a gaming PC and want to keep it budget-friendly without sacrificing performance, especially for games like Star Citizen. Here's my current build list: https://pcpartpicker.com/list/dVYHKq. Also, is it more cost-effective to use a single large SSD for both the OS and apps, or should I invest in a separate SSD for each?
3 Answers
I noticed you're considering an AsRock X870 board for the 9800X3D, but just a cautionary note: those boards have a higher failure rate with the 9000 series chips. Even if it comes in a bundle with the GPU, I'd recommend buying the 9070 XT separately and picking a more reliable motherboard brand. The current bundle price isn't a true steal either since the GPU alone usually sells for around $699, and you can find a good motherboard for about $200.
You can make a few small tweaks to your build to save some cash. For instance, upgrading to a slightly pricier AIO cooler might be worth it because your original choice isn’t the best for the 9800X3D. As for the SSDs, just know that performance won’t impact your framerates much, and the loading times are pretty close between options. Also, if you're using DDR5 6400 RAM, make sure to set your BIOS to FCLK 1:1 for optimal performance, although the 9800X3D doesn't rely too much on RAM speeds. Overall, you can get similar performance without the premium price tag.
If you're eyeing a 9070XT, try to find it around the MSRP—like Central Computers listing them for $750. Just a heads up, you might want to compare it with the 5070Ti; at $900, it's on the pricey side compared to what you can get with the newer cards.
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