I've been using an ASUS gaming laptop for over three years, and while it's great for gaming, I'm starting to hit its limits, especially since I've begun streaming. I want to upgrade to a custom PC for better graphics and performance, but I'm overwhelmed by the options and advice out there, especially with confusing information on storage options like hard drives vs. SSDs vs. NVMe drives. I'm ready to invest in a solid setup, but I need guidance on what components are essential versus nice-to-have. I'm sharing my current build that I've pieced together through my research for feedback and recommendations! Here's what I'm looking at:
- CPU: AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D 16-Core Processor
- Motherboard: MSI X870E-P PRO WIFI ATX Motherboard
- RAM: Crucial Pro 32GB DDR5-6400 Memory Kit
- Graphics Card: ASRock AMD Radeon RX 9070 XT 16GB
- M2/NVMe: Crucial P310 2TB PCIe Gen 4
- SSD: Inland Platinum 2TB 2.5" SSD
- Hard Drive: WD Black 10TB 7200 RPM
I'm just looking to make sure I don't end up wasting money on unnecessary parts. Any advice would be greatly appreciated!
2 Answers
You're on the right track with your parts, but the 9950X3D is more than what most users need— the 9800X3D will give you similar performance for gaming. Also, your RAM setup with 2x16GB is solid. Aim for 6000MHz speed for better performance, though. As for storage, prioritize the M.2 SSD for your OS and games. Hard drives can be slower, so if you're unsure about needing the space right away, it's better to skip it for now and add it later if necessary.
The Ryzen 9 9950X3D is likely overkill for gaming and streaming; consider the 9800X3D instead, as it performs similarly but is less expensive. Having two separate SSDs might not be necessary, so you could save some cash by sticking with just one. Focus on getting a fast M.2 drive or SSD for your OS and games, as the traditional hard drive might slow things down significantly. If you need extra storage down the line, you can always add a hard drive later!
Thanks for the advice! Should I keep the M.2 drive or the SSD if I choose one? I appreciate the tip on the 9950X3D—it seems like a big decision! What do you think about the motherboard bundle I saw available?
Great point on the memory speed! Should I consider upgrading the M.2 storage if I drop the hard drive? I'll need to research more into RAM speeds, it sounds like there's a lot to consider besides just capacity.