Hey everyone! I've built a few PCs over the years, both AMD and Intel, but it's been a while since I've put one together. My current setup is a custom i7-7820x with a GTX 1080 that I upgraded to an RTX 3070 in early 2022. It's served me well for gaming, work, and music production since I bought it in 2017. Now, I'm looking to upgrade to a more modern setup that will last me for at least another 5 years. I want to avoid needing to replace the core components; ideally, I'd just upgrade the GPU or CPU instead of buying entirely new hardware.
My main uses for the new PC will be web surfing, having Spotify running while I work, and gaming. I mainly play older titles, with heavily modded Skyrim and Cyberpunk 2077 being my most demanding games. I game at 3840x1600 resolution as it's the sweet spot for my work on my MacBook Pro.
I'm looking for feedback on my planned build, particularly any low-cost tweaks that could enhance longevity, performance, thermal efficiency, or noise levels. My biggest concerns are the motherboard and case choices, as I've researched them the least. Considering I'm getting a sit/stand desk with a CPU mount under the desk, I've got some restrictions on case size and port accessibility, so aesthetics aren't a priority for me. I'm hoping to keep any changes under $100 unless they provide at least a 10% performance boost. I'd really appreciate any advice you all might have!
1 Answer
You've got a solid build in mind! A couple of points to consider: first, you don’t really need thermal paste if you're getting an aftermarket cooler since they usually come pre-applied. Also, instead of two 2TB SSDs, maybe think about one 4TB SSD if it’s available; it could save you some hassle. For the GPU, check out the 5070ti—it's reportedly better overall unless you're on Linux. And don't forget about the power supply; Corsair tends to be pricier!
Thanks for the input! I chose the two 2TBs because I read good reviews on those, but I couldn't find a reliable 4TB option. As for the 5070ti, I have some reservations about Nvidia's recent GPUs due to some driver issues I've heard about, but I'll definitely keep researching. Appreciate your help!