Need Help Choosing RAM and GPU for My Second PC Build
Asked by
TechieTraveler95
Hey everyone! I'm working on my second PC build after almost 14 years and I'm super close to finishing. I've been acquiring parts month by month due to some budget constraints, and right now I'm just looking for reliable RAM and a GPU to complete my setup. Here's what I've got so far:
- **CPU:** AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D
- **CPU Cooler:** Lian Li Hydroshift LCD 360S
- **Motherboard:** Gigabyte X870E Aorus Elite WiFi 7 ATX
- **PSU:** Lian Li Edge Series EG0850
This PC will be mainly a family machine—I'll be gaming on it (mostly Rust, Dota 2, and Wukong), and my wife will be using it for design work in AutoCAD. She needs between 32GB to 64GB of RAM for smooth performance. I've always used Corsair for memory over the years, so I'm leaning towards them, but I'm open to other suggestions too. My budget for RAM is $200-300 USD and for the GPU, it's $1000 USD, so in total, that's about $1300 USD. Any recommendations would really help. Oh, and just a side note—my brother bought the CPU for me while traveling to the States as a little push to get this build going. Looking forward to your advice!
Answers
For RAM, any DDR5-6000 CL30 kit should do the trick. Corsair is solid, but honestly, all consumer RAM nowadays is pretty reliable. If you find a good deal on a 2x32GB kit of DDR5 6000 CL30 or even CL36/CL38, go for it! The performance differences are minimal, especially for gaming and design tasks.
Also, the AMD 9800X3D won't need an AIO cooler; a quality single tower cooler will suffice. If you’re under high temps, though, an AIO could be a nice precaution, but a good tower cooler is cheaper if temperatures aren’t too bad for you.
Reply to this answer
Definitely stick with Corsair RAM if you've had a good experience in the past! However, pushing for a cheaper option is also wise since most brands are now quite reliable. Just look for something like 32GB DDR5 6000. For the GPU, consider options like the 5070 Ti or 9070 XT, which should fit your budget nicely, especially if you're considering gaming and design work. Also, about your PSU, make sure it’s compatible, but generally, your chosen one should be fine unless you’re going for an overkill setup. Just keep an eye on thermal performance with your cooler choice, especially living in a warmer climate like you mentioned.
TechieTraveler95: Thanks! I think I’ll lean towards the 5070 Ti. Your advice about RAM is super helpful!
Reply to this answer
Add your answer
Answers are reviewed before publication.
CuriousCat77: Thanks for the recommendation! I appreciate keeping things budget-friendly and still effective.