I'm diving into building my first PC, and I want to get your opinions on my planned setup. I think my parts are compatible, but if you see any major errors, please let me know! The prices are in USD but are converted from AUD, so they might look higher than typical US prices. Below are the components I'm considering along with some specific concerns I have while planning this build.
**PARTS ($USD):**
* AMD Ryzen 5 9600X - **$253**
* ID-Cooling FX360 INF All-In-One Liquid Cooler - White - **$90**
* ASUS TUF GAMING B650E-E WIFI ATX - **$179**
* GSkill Flare X5 32GB (2x16GB) DDR5 6000MT/s CL36 - **$482**
* Team Group MP44Q 2TB PCIe Gen4 M.2 NVMe SSD - **$188 Sale**
* ASUS GeForce RTX 3060 Dual OC 12GB - **$321** (already owned)
* Corsair RM750x SHIFT 750W 80+ Gold ATX Fully Modular Power Supply - White - **$139**
* Corsair 3500X Tempered Glass Mid-Tower PC Case - White - **$125**
* Corsair RS120-R ARGB 120mm white (3pack) - **$55**
* **Total (without GPU) $1511**
I've got a few concerns regarding specific components, especially around the cooler and RAM. I'm also working on some CAD projects for my civil engineering studies and want to make sure this setup will handle both gaming and engineering tasks well. Any thoughts or recommendations?
2 Answers
I have the same CPU and an AIO isn't necessary at all. I got a Thermalright air cooler for about $30, and it retains great temps with built-in RGB. You might want to look into different cases too—like the Li Lian series—they offer great value. When it comes to storage, I scored a couple of 1TB M.2 drives for just $200 total, which is a solid way to save money while keeping your system efficient. Your 3060 should handle most games well, trust me; it does great even at 1440p with lower settings.
Nice build overall! I recommend checking out PCPartPicker for price comparisons and compatibility—they could really help optimize your choices. Regarding your AIO cooler, it might be overkill for the Ryzen 5 9600X. If aesthetics are your main goal, that's cool, but you can find air coolers that perform just as well for less money. Also, if you're worried about future-proofing, I'd suggest considering a slightly better motherboard like the B850 to save on costs while still fitting your theme. For RAM, you don’t need to stress about super high speeds; anything decent will do for gaming and engineering tasks.
Thanks for this! I just learned about PCPartPicker midway through, so I'll definitely use it moving forward. Appreciate the tips!
You’re right about the AIO being overkill. I do want it for looks, but I’m considering the air cooler now since it makes more financial sense, especially with the RAM prices. I’ll also check out Li Lian cases for sure!