What do you think of my first $1,708 gaming PC build?
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MellowCedar42
I'm putting together my first PC and tried to keep the total around $1,708 by buying some components open-box or at discounted prices. The build includes a Ryzen 7 7800X3D, Radeon RX 9070 XT, MSI B650 Tomahawk WiFi motherboard, 16GB of DDR5-6000 memory, a 1TB WD Blue SN580 NVMe SSD, an Arctic Liquid Freezer III Pro 360 AIO, an 850W Corsair RM850e power supply, Arctic P12 Pro fans, and a Lian Li O11 Mini V2 case. I currently have only one 16GB RAM stick, but I plan to buy a matching second stick soon. How does the parts selection and value look overall?
Answers
That’s a strong CPU and GPU pairing for gaming, and the overall build looks well balanced. The main thing I’d change is getting the second RAM stick as soon as possible. One stick will work, but dual-channel memory can improve performance and frame-time consistency in some games. Try to get the exact same kit or at least closely matched specifications.
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You made some sensible choices, and spending a little extra on the case, fans, and cooling is reasonable if you want the finished system to look a certain way. You could save money with a less expensive AIO, air cooler, or case with included fans, but you didn’t necessarily waste money. The open-box RM850e for around $60 was an especially good find.
MellowCedar42: I knew I could cut costs with a cheaper cooler, case, and fan setup, but I wanted the build to look good from day one. I’d rather spend a little more now than replace those parts later.
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Make sure the SSD is installed in the motherboard slot that doesn’t share important PCIe lanes with the graphics card. Check the motherboard manual before installing it. Also, an 850W power supply is a great choice for this CPU and GPU combination, especially at the price you paid.
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The 360mm AIO is more of a style choice than a necessity for the 7800X3D. A Peerless Assassin or another good air cooler would handle that processor for much less money. That said, the Arctic cooler is a quality unit, and if you like how it fits the look of the case, it isn’t a bad purchase.
MellowCedar42: I mainly chose the AIO because it matches the rest of the fans and the overall aesthetic. I may return it for a cheaper cooler and use the savings toward the second RAM stick.
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MellowCedar42: I’m planning to pick up another matching stick soon. The single stick is just temporary while I wait for the next good deal.