I've been researching for weeks and I'm finally ready to buy the parts for my first PC build. I mainly intend to use it for productivity tasks in Adobe programs like Premiere and After Effects, and I'll do a little Blender work too. While I'll use it for some gaming and streaming in my free time, my main focus isn't on gaming performance.
Here's my current build plan:
- **CPU**: Intel i9-12900k
- **Motherboard**: ASUS - Z790 Prime Gaming WIFI7 Intel LGA 1700 ATX
- **RAM**: G.Skill - Ripjaws S5 32GB (2 x 16GB) DDR5-6000, but I plan to upgrade to at least 64GB, maybe even 128GB.
- **GPU**: I'm eyeing the 5060 Ti 16GB for around $500, but I'm torn because I've also looked at the Peladn Gaming RTX 3060 12GB for $285. Would love some thoughts on which GPU would be better for my needs!
- **Storage**: Samsung - 990 PRO 2TB NVMe SSD
- **Power Supply**: Corsair RMe Series RM750e 750 Watt Fully Modular
- **Cooling**: Lian Li - Galahad II Trinity 360mm Water Cooler (I just switched from air to liquid, but still open to suggestions for air cooling if it's not needed for my use case.)
- **Case**: Lian Li 011 Vision Compact
I've considered AMD options, but Intel and Nvidia seem more suited for my requirements within my budget. Feel free to share any benchmarks if you think I'm making a mistake!
2 Answers
Regarding the CPU debate, if you're looking at AMD, the benchmarks show that the Ryzen 9 9900X competes quite well, especially for tasks needing higher core counts. But Intel's i9 does have QuickSync and better format support, which can be a game changer for video editing.
If you aren't seeking the absolute best and want to save some bucks, then a solid mid-range option like the RTX 3060 might be worth it too. Just be conscious of how much heat your build will generate if you go for a water cooler – looks nice, but air coolers can also be effective and cheaper!
I appreciate that comparison! I'll weigh the benefits of the i9 against the Ryzen options more carefully. And yeah, I’d love a cooler that looks good but also keeps the parts safe!
For your GPU choice, I'd suggest checking out Puget System's hardware recommendations for After Effects and Premiere. They might help you decide if you really need to invest in that 5060 Ti since a lot of performance also comes from the CPU and RAM for your main use.
Just a heads up, the i9-12900k is solid for video work, but if you're upgrading RAM, you might want to reconsider mixing two different DIMM sets because DDR5 can be finicky with more than two modules on consumer motherboards.
For power, I usually estimate the total wattage needed by checking PCPartPicker to avoid any surprises later. An 850W PSU could give you more headroom for future upgrades too! Like storage, a total of 2TB might feel a bit cramped for media-heavy tasks, so consider a larger SSD if your budget allows!
Thanks for the detailed insights! I’ll definitely check out that guide and see how the different parts work together.
Great point about the PSU! I’ll look into getting a bit more wattage just to be safe.
Definitely worth considering both sides. Just remember, you don’t want to overspend on a GPU if you’re okay with slightly lower performance.