Hey everyone! I'm diving into building my first PC and I've spent quite a bit of time researching different components. I'm aiming to stick to a budget of around $3000 AUD. I plan to use the PC primarily for family video editing, streaming TV/movies, and playing some turn-based strategy games like Civ 5/6, Xcom, and occasionally Skyrim. I'd love your thoughts on the components I've selected and if they're compatible, or if you have any suggestions for changes. Here's what I've got:
- **Case:** Antec P1 FT Silent E-ATX/ATX - **$167**
- **Motherboard:** Asus TUF Gaming B850 Plus WiFi AM5 ATX - **$449**
- **CPU:** AMD Ryzen 7 9700X - **$545**
- **GPU:** Gigabyte Radeon RX 7800 XT - **$789**
- **SSD 1 (C Drive):** Samsung 990 EVO Plus 2TB - **$249**
- **SSD 2 (Storage):** KLEVV 2TB CRAS C910 - **$159**
- **RAM:** PATRIOT MEMORY VIPER VENOM DDR5 6400MT/s CL30 64GB (32GBx2) - **$289**
- **PSU:** SilverStone DA850R-GMA 850W - **$135**
- **Cooler:** MSI MAG CORELIQUID A13 360 - **$109**
- **Monitor:** MSI MAG 275QF 27inch 180Hz - **$259**
- **Thermal Paste:** Polartherm X10 - **$8**
- **Firewire Card:** PCIe x1 3 Ports 1394A - **$15**
Total: **$3173 AUD**.
I'm really looking for any tips or advice before I make any purchases. Thanks in advance!
5 Answers
I feel like your current build is a bit overkill for what you need, especially with that budget. If you’re patient, waiting for sales can help you find some awesome deals! Always check your local listings for good second-hand parts. You might find a decent cooler for much less that will keep things running cool without needing to go for an expensive water cooling option.
Check out my similar build on PCPartPicker, it's around the same price:
- AMD Ryzen 7 7800X3D - $699
- Thermalright Aqua Elite V3 Cooler - $99
- Gigabyte B850 Gaming X - $348.77
- Corsair Vengeance RGB 64GB DDR5 - $339
- Silicon Power UD85 2TB SSD - $165
- Lexar NM620 2TB SSD - $148
- ASRock Challenger Radeon RX 9070 - $1049
This build offers similar performance while being more cost-effective in some areas!
Honestly, most average users won't notice the difference between high-end SSDs and mid-range ones unless you're doing heavy editing. Also, consider getting a could of cheap SSDs later after your build, especially during sales like Black Friday!
You might consider swapping your motherboard for a more affordable model, which should still meet your needs. You don’t really need a fancy cooler for the 9700X, a good air cooler will suffice. Also, try to stick with just one larger SSD instead of two smaller ones; it’ll save you money and space! And if you're not super into RGB, a simpler case might also help you save a bit!
I appreciate all this help! You've raised some great points about simplification.
Absolutely! The idea of one larger SSD is a good plan for organization and efficiency.
You might want to consider downgrading your SSD; a cheaper model like the Crucial or Samsung 990 EVO should do just fine. Also, if you're okay with buying used, it could save you a good chunk of money on the GPU. I’d recommend looking out for the RX 9060 XT as it might be a better deal in the long run. About the cooler, a solid air cooler could cut costs significantly without sacrificing performance!
Great tips! I’ll definitely check out the Samsung 990 EVO Plus to save some cash. Thanks!
Yeah, and don't rush into buying a GPU; prices can drop if you wait a bit!
Thanks for that! I’ll definitely explore this option further.