Hey everyone! I'm about to build my first PC and I've done a bit of homework on it. I'm mostly doing this because my 2017 MacBook Pro is getting slower with time, and I want something better for general use. Also, I'd like it to handle development projects, run VMs, and containers smoothly. I'm currently using an M3 MacBook at work and love how it runs. While I'm not a huge gamer, I want to be able to play Minecraft, Stardew Valley, and Red Dead Redemption. I would love your thoughts on my current build and if there's anything that's too much or if I should consider changes. Thanks!
Here's what I have so far:
- CPU: AMD Ryzen 7 7700X 4.5 GHz 8-Core Processor ($267.00)
- CPU Cooler: ARCTIC Liquid Freezer III 240 A-RGB ($90.08)
- Motherboard: MSI B650 GAMING PLUS WIFI ATX ($198.00)
- Memory: Corsair Vengeance RGB 32 GB DDR5-6000 CL36 ($99.99)
- Storage: Samsung 990 Pro 1 TB NVME SSD ($99.99)
- Video Card: MSI VENTUS GeForce RTX 4060 8 GB ($377.49)
- Case: Corsair 3500X ARGB Mid Tower Case ($94.99)
- Power Supply: Corsair RM750e 750 W Fully Modular ($99.99)
Total: $1327.53
3 Answers
I’d recommend reconsidering that 4060 GPU. With just 8GB of VRAM, it might not be enough for today’s games. If your budget allows, aim for a 4060 Ti with 16GB instead—it’ll handle games much better!
Your RAM choice is good, but CL30 is better than CL36 at the same speed, so you might want to swap it for something faster if your budget allows. Additionally, if you're not planning on extreme overclocking, a good air cooler could be a more reliable option than liquid cooling.
Your build looks solid, but I think you can make some tweaks to save money and boost performance. For example, the CPU cooler you picked is nice, but you might be better off with a CPU that comes with one included. Also, instead of the RTX 4060, consider upgrading to an RTX 5070. It's a substantial jump in performance for just a bit more cash!
Yeah, air coolers are definitely the way to go for stability, especially for a first build!