I've been doing a lot of research and I'm finally ready to buy the parts for my first PC build! I'm primarily going to use it for productivity tasks with Adobe Premiere, After Effects, and a bit of Blender. While I'll occasionally use it for gaming and streaming, that's not the main focus. Here's what I'm considering for my build:
- **CPU:** Intel i9-12900K
- **Motherboard:** ASUS Z790 Prime Gaming WIFI7 (LGA 1700, ATX)
- **RAM:** Initially, it comes with 32GB (2x16GB) DDR5-6000, but I'm planning to upgrade to at least 64GB, possibly 128GB.
- **GPU:** I'm looking at either the 5060 Ti (16GB for around $500) or the Peladn Gaming RTX 3060 (12GB for about $285). This has been a tough decision since there's a significant price difference.
- **Storage:** Samsung 990 PRO 2TB NVMe SSD
- **Power Supply:** Corsair RM750e (750 Watt, fully modular)
- **Cooler:** Lian Li Galahad II Trinity 360mm all-in-one liquid cooler (open to suggestions if an air cooler is preferable, mostly going for aesthetics).
- **Case:** Lian Li 011 Vision Compact
I did consider AMD options for CPU and GPU, but they don't seem to match my needs within my budget, though I'm open to benchmarks if I'm missing something! Any last-minute advice on these choices, especially regarding the GPU and cooling?
3 Answers
I understand the dilemma with the GPU choice! If you're not gaming heavily, saving the $200 on the RTX 3060 might be the way to go—especially if you can work more efficiently in Adobe programs without needing top-tier performance. Liquid coolers can be great for aesthetics and performance, so if that's a big deal for you, stick with it. Otherwise, check out some high-end air coolers; they might be cheaper but still effective!
Yeah, for content creation, you may not need the absolute best GPU. Just ensure it meets your needs for rendering performance.
Don’t forget to consider the benchmarking you mentioned! It could really help clear up the AMD vs. Intel debate for your needs. But honestly, for what you want to do with this build, the Intel option seems worth it. And remember to keep an eye on the reviews for the 5060 Ti; it's new, so real-world performance comparisons are still coming in. You might get a good deal if you wait a bit!
You might want to check out Puget Systems' hardware recommendations for After Effects and Premiere. They have actual tests that could give you better insight on the GPU choice. I've seen some suggest that the 12900K is solid for video compositing. Just a heads up, though, DDR5 memory can be tricky—often less stable with more than 2 DIMMs. Also, I’d advise considering a higher wattage PSU, especially as i9s can be power-hungry! Enter all your parts on PCPartPicker to estimate your build’s power needs. And while 2TB of storage feels decent, you might want more for media—perhaps a larger SSD? In terms of cooling, a 360mm cooler should work well, but if you’re looking for aesthetics, you might want to stick with liquid cooling, just make sure it’s reliable!
Thanks for the detailed advice! I appreciate the link; I’ll definitely check that out. And yeah, I was planning on just using the 2x32 sticks after selling the 16GB ones. I agree about the PSU—better to be safe than sorry!
Totally agree on the PSU—high wattage is better for future upgrades too! And it sounds like you're on the right track for storage; a solid SSD makes a huge difference.
Thanks for chiming in! I’m really leaning towards the 3060, especially since it fits my budget better.