Hey everyone! I'm excited to share that I'm finally ready to upgrade my trusty 2015 build. Right now, I've got an i7-4790k (overclocked), GTX 970 (also overclocked), and 16GB of DDR3 RAM. I'm looking to invest up to $2,000 on this upgrade since I've been quite cautious with expenses. It's mainly for gaming and some light workstation tasks.
Here's what I'm considering for my new setup:
**CPU**: AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D 4.7 GHz 8-Core Processor - $479
**Motherboard**: Gigabyte X870 AORUS ELITE WIFI7 ICE ATX AM5 - $239
**Storage**: Samsung 990 Pro 2 TB NVME SSD - $399.99
**CPU Cooler**: Thermalright Phantom Spirit 120 SE ARGB - $37.90
**Memory**: Crucial Pro Overclocking 32 GB DDR5-6000 - $364.99
**Video Card**: Gigabyte GAMING OC Radeon RX 9060 XT 16 GB - $459.99
**Case**: Corsair 3500X ARGB ATX - $101.99
**Power Supply**: MSI MAG A850GL 850W - $118
The total before tax comes to $1,931.86. I'd love to hear your thoughts on this build! Any suggestions or things I should be wary of? It's been a while since I've been in the scene!
5 Answers
I recommend checking out the Radeon 9070 XT if your budget allows. I made the mistake of pairing my 9700X CPU with a weaker GPU, and it definitely led to performance issues. You'll want to get the best graphics card possible to match that 9800X3D.
Honestly, I think that 9800X3D deserves a better GPU than the 9060 XT. If you're investing so much into the CPU, maybe consider a more powerful graphics card to avoid bottlenecks down the line.
Have you thought about a combo with the 9600X or 7600X CPUs? It could save you quite a bit, and Walmart has some solid deals on SSDs right now. For instance, a 2TB WD Black for about $200. That way, you get a better price overall. Just a suggestion!
You might also want to consider looking at prebuilt systems; there are some decent options out there with graphics cards in your price range already. It could save you some hassle!
I recently grabbed a Corsair 5000D case for over half off—only $100! It might be worth checking out if you’re still undecided on the case you want. It's a nice option!
That sounds like a great deal! I’ll definitely keep it in mind when I finalize my parts.
Yeah, but the 9070 XT is nearly twice the price! Just how noticeable was the bottleneck for you with the weaker GPU?