I'm planning a new midrange-to-high-end PC for 1440p gaming in about two or three years, and I'd like advice on compatibility, value, and anything I may be overlooking. My current idea is a Ryzen 5 7500F with a FROZN A620 Pro SE cooler, Gigabyte B850 Aorus Elite motherboard, 16GB (2×8GB) DDR5-6000 CL30 memory, Samsung 990 Pro 1TB SSD, Asus Prime OC Radeon RX 9070 XT 16GB graphics card, MSI MAG A750GL 750W power supply, and a Corsair 4000D case. I'm hoping to keep the total below roughly $2,000, though the current parts list is slightly over budget.
The system would be used for much more than gaming: I also want to draw, edit and produce videos, make music and covers, and stream occasionally. I'm specifically avoiding a processor with integrated graphics because I'm concerned about disabling the iGPU under Linux, although I'd consider a stronger CPU if that can be handled reliably through the motherboard settings. Since I won't be buying for several years, should I wait and reassess the parts later, or are there general changes I should make now to get better performance, reliability, and longevity?
3 Answers
There’s no reliable way to finalize a parts list this far ahead. Two or three years is a long time in PC hardware: prices, new CPU and GPU generations, platform support, power requirements, and Linux compatibility could all change. Treat this list as a rough performance target rather than a shopping list, then ask for updated recommendations a few months before buying. At that point, compare current benchmarks and choose the best-value CPU, GPU, motherboard, memory, storage, and power supply available.
The motherboard and SSD are likely places to save without noticeably affecting performance. A less expensive board with the same features and a good-value 1TB NVMe drive should perform similarly to the premium options. You can also compare different RX 9070 XT models, since the least expensive version will usually deliver nearly the same frame rates. Those changes could bring the build comfortably under $1,900 based on current prices.
The memory capacity is worth reconsidering for your workload, though. Gaming alone may be fine with 16GB, but video editing, music production, drawing applications, and streaming make 32GB a much safer starting point. A 2×16GB DDR5 kit would improve multitasking and give the system more breathing room.
I’ll compare cheaper motherboards and SSDs, since appearance isn’t important to me. Functionality and long-term reliability matter much more. I’ll also look into a stronger CPU if the integrated graphics can be disabled reliably in the firmware.
This is closer to a high-end gaming build than a typical midrange system, mainly because of the RX 9070 XT. For 1440p it should be very capable, but the exact best choices will depend heavily on prices and newer hardware available when you actually build it.
I chose the 9070 XT because it seemed much better suited to 1440p. I’m also wondering whether a cheaper 9060 XT would still provide a good experience if prices make the larger card hard to justify.
That makes sense. I’ll revisit the build shortly before I’m ready to purchase instead of assuming today’s parts will still be the best choices.