Hey everyone! I'm jumping back into building PCs after a while and could really use some sanity checks on my planned setup. I'm looking at an AMD 9700X CPU, paired with an ASUS PRIME X870-P WiFi motherboard, and some Corsair Vengeance 6000MHz CL36 RAM. I'm planning to use my existing RTX 3070 and a Corsair RM850X power supply. While I currently have an older NVMe SSD, I'm waiting to upgrade to a PCIe 5.0 SSD later on.
Building a PC seems trickier these days with so many motherboard options and skyrocketing prices. I remember when my 4670K build had a motherboard that was just $70 and worked flawlessly. I chose the X870 because it seems to have everything I need and it's currently about £50 off the regular price.
I'm also curious about the RAM. If the timings aren't too crucial for boosting FPS, I'm okay with saving some cash by going with CL36 instead of lower latency options. About the 9700X, I know it didn't get the best reviews initially because it wasn't a huge upgrade over the prior generation. However, now that it's only slightly more expensive than the last-gen models, I think it should be okay.
I typically game at 1080p, focusing on competitive shooters, so I want high, stable frame rates. I also need solid CPU performance for everyday tasks, not just gaming. Am I making any mistakes with this build? It's been a while since I last upgraded from my trusty 8700K, and any advice would be greatly appreciated!
4 Answers
I’d suggest considering the 9800X3D if your budget allows. It’s a powerhouse and will keep you sorted for the next five years easily!
Honestly, it sounds like a bad upgrade to me. The 9700X doesn’t seem worth it – you’d be better off with a 7600X or even a 7800X3D or 9800X3D. Also, that motherboard is pricey, and your RAM speed might not be optimal; I’d recommend aiming for 6000MHz CL30 instead. What’s your upgrade budget looking like?
Just a heads up, I read a review mentioning that if you use an SSD in the fourth slot, it only utilizes two PCI-E lanes and disables two SATA ports. That could be a deal breaker since you mentioned needing those ports. Double-check before finalizing your choice of motherboard!
How many M.2 drives are you planning to install anyway?
Why not assemble your list over at PCPartPicker? It could help you visualize everything together better.
Sure! Here’s my build link: https://uk.pcpartpicker.com/list/xFfZxg
I appreciate the suggestion, but I really can’t justify the price jump right now. Thanks anyway!