Hey there! I'm diving into building my first custom gaming PC and I'm excited but also a bit nervous. After years of using a prebuilt that's now feeling sluggish, I've set a budget of around $2,000. I'm aiming for high settings at 1440p with a refresh rate of 144 Hz.
This PC will primarily be for gaming, specifically titles like Rust, Escape from Tarkov, and Baldur's Gate 3, but I also want to use it for some engineering applications, including CAD and simulation (FEA/CFD) from time to time.
I initially thought about going for the RTX 4070 Ti Super, but I've noticed that aftermarket prices are pretty steep. Now, I'm leaning towards the RTX 5070 Ti 16 GB instead. I've researched the components and their compatibility, but I would really love to hear any constructive criticism or suggestions for optimizing my build before I make my final decisions. Thanks a ton for any help! [Here's my build list](https://www.microcenter.com/site/content/custom-pc-builder.aspx?load=6e3e77df-45e2-47f5-98f7-fba9f9df8a63)
3 Answers
It looks solid! If you can bump your budget by about $250, you could snag a build featuring the 5080 and a 9800x3d, which is one of the best gaming CPUs right now, along with a great GPU. Alternatively, you could get the 5070 Ti and the same CPU for around $1,700. Prices have fluctuated recently; I ordered mine for $2,249, and now the 5080 build is listed at $2,299. Seems like they’re capitalizing on demand!
I have a list that might give you better overall performance while sticking close to your budget. Check out the EVO Plus drives; they're almost as fast as the Pro ones and can save you some cash. Here's a quick breakdown of the parts:
- CPU: Intel Core Ultra 7 265KF 20-Core
- CPU Cooler: Thermalright Phantom Spirit 120 SE
- Motherboard: MSI MAG B860 TOMAHAWK WIFI
- Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws S5 32GB DDR5
- Storage: Samsung 990 EVO Plus 2TB
- Video Card: MSI SHADOW 3X OC RTX 5070 Ti
- Total Estimated Cost: Around $1,847.69 before any rebates.
Good luck with the build!
Your setup is good, but consider switching the SSD to the WD SN850X instead. You likely won’t notice significant differences in gaming performance between the drives, and it should still handle your engineering programs smoothly too!
Thanks for sharing your list! I'm curious, why did you choose Intel over AMD for this build?