I'm new to building PCs, although I'm comfortable using computers and troubleshooting problems. I'd like to build a system that can handle modern games as well as multitasking with demanding software. My budget is about $2,800 or €2,500, and I'm willing to spend more upfront if it means the PC will remain satisfying for longer. However, I'm also open to a less expensive build with similar performance and good-quality components.
The PC will mainly be connected to a 65-inch TV. The games I play include The Witcher 3, Cyberpunk 2077, Monster Hunter, the Final Fantasy VII Remake games, Elden Ring, Resident Evil, Assassin's Creed, and Warframe. I'd appreciate advice on whether this parts list is balanced, or a suggested build that would make better use of my budget. I'm located in the Netherlands.
Current parts list:
- CPU: AMD Ryzen 7 9850X3D
- GPU: MSI GeForce RTX 5070 12GB Gaming Trio OC
- Motherboard: MSI MAG B850 Tomahawk WiFi
- Memory: Kingston Fury Beast DDR5-6000, 32GB (2x16GB)
- Storage: Samsung 990 EVO Plus 1TB M.2 SSD
- Power supply: MSI MAG A750GL PCIe 5 II
- CPU cooler: MSI MAG CoreLiquid A15 360
- Case: MSI MAG PANO 110R PZ Black
- Total price: approximately $2,650 or €2,300
3 Answers
Playing on a large TV doesn’t automatically make 1440p look bad. At normal viewing distance, the difference between native 4K and 1440p can be less noticeable than it would be on a desk monitor, especially when using a good upscaling mode. Still, a stronger GPU gives you more flexibility for native 4K, higher settings, ray tracing, and better frame rates. If you’re happy using quality upscaling, the RTX 5070 could be workable; otherwise, aim for at least an RTX 5070 Ti or RX 9070 XT.
For a 4K television, the graphics card will usually be the limiting component rather than the processor. You could save money with a Ryzen 7 7800X3D, Ryzen 7 9800X3D, or a more modest current CPU and put the savings toward a stronger GPU, such as an RTX 5070 Ti, RX 9070 XT, or RTX 5080 if the budget allows. The RTX 5070 is a strong 1440p card, but it may require reduced settings or upscaling in demanding 4K games.
The games I’m interested in are The Witcher 3, Cyberpunk 2077, Monster Hunter, the Final Fantasy VII Remake games, Elden Ring, Resident Evil, Assassin’s Creed, and Warframe.
The processor is overkill for this setup, especially compared with the graphics card. The 9850X3D offers limited gaming benefit over less expensive X3D chips, while a faster GPU would make a much bigger difference at 4K. I’d prioritize the GPU first, then choose a suitable Ryzen 7 CPU, 32GB of DDR5-6000 memory, and a quality power supply. Also consider a 2TB SSD if your game library is large, since modern games can consume storage quickly.
Since I’ll be sitting some distance away from the TV, I assumed 1440p would look nearly as good as 4K. Is that generally correct, or would the difference still be obvious?