I recently scored a fantastic deal on a 9070 16GB GPU and I'm in the process of building my first PC over the next few months. I'm looking for suggestions on a CPU that pairs well with it and won't throttle the GPU. My primary use will be gaming, chatting on Discord while gaming, and occasionally watching YouTube. It will also serve as my home office machine for handling large Excel files, using AI, and performing tasks for my small business, like designing on Canva and building websites. I'm considering either a B650 or B850 motherboard and welcome tips for those as well. I'll be playing a variety of games including AAA titles, modded Minecraft, and The Sims 3 with all the expansions. While I've been researching for weeks, I'm open to any advice to optimize my build without overspending on unnecessary power.
2 Answers
If you're looking for a solid CPU, both the 7800X3D and 7700X are great choices. The 7700X is particularly beneficial for multitasking since it has two additional cores, which might help with your office tasks and gaming. For the motherboard, a B650 should fit your needs perfectly without going overboard since you're gaming and doing some light workloads. Aiming for 32GB of RAM is ideal nowadays; 64GB is likely more than necessary for your use case but could be an option for future upgrades if needed. Here’s a good starter parts list to consider!
The 9800X3D paired with a B850 is a top-notch combo, but it's pricier. You might also consider the B650 with a 7800X3D; it’s a solid alternative. If you're budget-conscious, the 9600X could be a fantastic option too, often available for around $150. I actually paired my 9070 with a 7600X3D from Microcenter for $300 and it's been working great. I recommend sticking to B650 for your needs—it covers everything without the unnecessary expense of a B850.
Thanks for your advice! Do you think the investment in the 9800 would be worthwhile? I got the 9070 for a steal, so I’m hesitant to spend too much on the CPU.
Thanks for the breakdown! I was leaning towards the B650; it sounds like a practical choice. I also agree about the RAM recommendation. I doubt I'll need 64GB right now, but I'll keep it in mind for later!