First Build

[awesomepants2000]

Hi,

 

I have a 10 year old prebuilt PC that I only really play league on. I am looking to build a computer so I can start getting into PC gaming. I am new to this, but I have been doing a lot of research recently to try to maximize the computer's performance for my budget. I am hoping there will be good discounts for black friday. Even though this is currently below my budget, I would rather save money than upgrade this build significantly. I would appreciate any helpful tips or advice, whether they are about picking different parts or if there is anything I should keep in mind when building it.

 

 

Budget (including currency): $1500

Country: USA

Games, programs or workloads that it will be used for: Baldur's Gate 3, Last of Us, Overwatch, etc.

Other details (existing parts lists, whether any peripherals are needed, what you're upgrading from, when you're going to buy, what resolution and refresh rate you want to play at, etc): 

 

https://pcpartpicker.com/list/wsMh34

 

 

[filpo]

8 minutes ago, awesomepants2000 said:

have a 10 year old prebuilt PC that I only really play league on. I am looking to build a computer so I can start getting into PC gaming. I am new to this, but I have been doing a lot of research recently to try to maximize the computer's performance for my budget. I am hoping there will be good discounts for black friday. Even though this is currently below my budget, I would rather save money than upgrade this build significantly. I would appreciate any helpful tips or advice, whether they are about picking different parts or if there is anything I should keep in mind when building it

what are the specific specs of this prebuilt? You could probably keep the case and that would save enough to squeeze in a 7900 xt

 

8 minutes ago, awesomepants2000 said:

Budget (including currency): $1500

Country: USA

Games, programs or workloads that it will be used for: Baldur's Gate 3, Last of Us, Overwatch, etc.

Other details (existing parts lists, whether any peripherals are needed, what you're upgrading from, when you're going to buy, what resolution and refresh rate you want to play at, etc): 

 

https://pcpartpicker.com/list/wsMh34

1440p?

try this 

PCPartPicker Part List

CPU: AMD Ryzen 7 5800X3D 3.4 GHz 8-Core Processor  ($322.72 @ Amazon) 
CPU Cooler: Thermalright Peerless Assassin 120 SE 66.17 CFM CPU Cooler  ($34.90 @ Amazon) 
Motherboard: Gigabyte B550 UD AC ATX AM4 Motherboard  ($99.99 @ Newegg) 
Memory: Silicon Power GAMING 16 GB (2 x 8 GB) DDR4-3200 CL16 Memory  ($29.97 @ Amazon) 
Storage: TEAMGROUP MP33 2 TB M.2-2280 PCIe 3.0 X4 NVME Solid State Drive  ($70.97 @ Amazon) 
Video Card: XFX Speedster MERC 310 Black Edition Radeon RX 7900 XT 20 GB Video Card  ($789.99 @ Amazon) 
Case: Phanteks Eclipse G300A (1 Fan) ATX Mid Tower Case  ($34.99 @ Newegg) 
Power Supply: Cooler Master MWE Gold 850 - V2 850 W 80+ Gold Certified Fully Modular ATX Power Supply  ($95.99 @ Adorama) 
Case Fan: ARCTIC P12 PST 56.3 CFM 120 mm Fans 5-Pack  ($29.99 @ Amazon) 
Total: $1509.51
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2023-10-18 04:36 EDT-0400

[venomtail]

I'd go with something like this. I think faster CPU is a better option here than the older 5800X3D cause in certain games the CPU difference can be up to 30fps yet usually the fps difference between 7800XT and 7900XT averages around 10-20fps. Hard to say, especially which will age faster or need to work harder, in the future CPU or GPU:

PCPartPicker Part List

CPU: AMD Ryzen 7 7800X3D 4.2 GHz 8-Core Processor  ($369.56 @ Amazon) 
CPU Cooler: Deepcool AK400 ZERO DARK 66.47 CFM CPU Cooler  ($39.99 @ Amazon) 
Motherboard: ASRock B650 LiveMixer ATX AM5 Motherboard  ($179.99 @ Newegg) 
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws S5 32 GB (2 x 16 GB) DDR5-5600 CL28 Memory  ($93.99 @ Newegg) 
Storage: Crucial P3 Plus 1 TB M.2-2280 PCIe 4.0 X4 NVME Solid State Drive  ($44.99 @ Amazon) 
Video Card: Sapphire NITRO+ Radeon RX 7800 XT 16 GB Video Card  ($559.99 @ Newegg) 
Case: Fractal Design Pop Air ATX Mid Tower Case  ($89.99 @ B&H) 
Power Supply: Corsair CX750M (2021) 750 W 80+ Bronze Certified Semi-modular ATX Power Supply  ($79.98 @ Amazon) 
Total: $1458.48
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2023-10-18 05:33 EDT-0400

[awesomepants2000]

Although I appreciate the suggestions, you guys both removed the monitor haha. The monitor is a necessary purchase as well and must be factored into the budget.

 

In response to @filpo the prebuilt case does not have enough airflow to support a modern gaming PC. I'm not sure I understand the point of upgrading the cpu to the 5800x3d. Upgrading the graphics card to the 7900 xt is a tempting thought, but I think the 7800 xt is more than enough for my gaming needs.

 

In response to @venomtail I don't see the benefit of upgrading to ddr5. The RAM you suggest has more latency and the whole build is made much more expensive because of ddr5. If I needed a better cpu, couldn't I get the 5900x?

 

Thanks

[venomtail]

32 minutes ago, awesomepants2000 said:

Although I appreciate the suggestions, you guys both removed the monitor haha. The monitor is a necessary purchase as well and must be factored into the budget.

 

In response to @filpo the prebuilt case does not have enough airflow to support a modern gaming PC. I'm not sure I understand the point of upgrading the cpu to the 5800x3d. Upgrading the graphics card to the 7900 xt is a tempting thought, but I think the 7800 xt is more than enough for my gaming needs.

 

In response to @venomtail I don't see the benefit of upgrading to ddr5. The RAM you suggest has more latency and the whole build is made much more expensive because of ddr5. If I needed a better cpu, couldn't I get the 5900x?

 

Thanks

Aight my bad, I saw the monitor, noted not to forget about it and when I started comparing the 3D chips completely forgot about them.

 

If you're considering gaming and AMD CPU's, only consider the 3D ones. They have massive caches that games absolutely love. Intel doesn't by comparison and sometimes their flagship i9 models even get beaten by large margins whilst the 3D chips often use half the power and run way cooler. For gaming they're really the only consideration.

 

AM5 is only DDR5, they left DDR4 behind them, you have no choice of RAM unlike intel's offering right now. 15th gen intel is also abandoning DDR4 and I've no idea yet how much 14th gen is impacted by DDR4. Yes DDR5 is a tad bit more expensive but for DDR4 it's the end of the road.

 

Likely you'll have to go with a 5800X3D to save on money, then a 7700XT with your 1440p monitor. Maybe manage to squeeze in a 7800XT with barebones parts elsewhere including monitor.

 

>>>I can make list later.

[filpo]

1 hour ago, awesomepants2000 said:

Although I appreciate the suggestions, you guys both removed the monitor haha. The monitor is a necessary purchase as well and must be factored into the budget.

 

In response to @filpo the prebuilt case does not have enough airflow to support a modern gaming PC. I'm not sure I understand the point of upgrading the cpu to the 5800x3d. Upgrading the graphics card to the 7900 xt is a tempting thought, but I think the 7800 xt is more than enough for my gaming needs.

 

In response to @venomtail I don't see the benefit of upgrading to ddr5. The RAM you suggest has more latency and the whole build is made much more expensive because of ddr5. If I needed a better cpu, couldn't I get the 5900x?

 

Thanks

try this edited version of @venomtail's build

PCPartPicker Part List

CPU: AMD Ryzen 7 7800X3D 4.2 GHz 8-Core Processor  ($369.56 @ Amazon) 
CPU Cooler: Thermalright Peerless Assassin 120 SE 66.17 CFM CPU Cooler  ($34.90 @ Amazon) 
Motherboard: Gigabyte B650 AORUS ELITE AX ATX AM5 Motherboard  ($219.99 @ Amazon) 
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws S5 32 GB (2 x 16 GB) DDR5-5600 CL28 Memory  ($93.99 @ Newegg) 
Storage: TEAMGROUP MP33 2 TB M.2-2280 PCIe 3.0 X4 NVME Solid State Drive  ($70.97 @ Amazon) 
Video Card: Gigabyte GAMING OC Radeon RX 7800 XT 16 GB Video Card  ($499.99 @ B&H) 
Case: Phanteks Eclipse G300A (1 Fan) ATX Mid Tower Case  ($34.99 @ Newegg) 
Power Supply: Thermaltake Toughpower GF A3 - TT Premium Edition 1050 W 80+ Gold Certified Fully Modular ATX Power Supply  ($139.99 @ Newegg) 
Case Fan: ARCTIC P12 PST 56.3 CFM 120 mm Fans 5-Pack  ($29.99 @ Amazon) 
Total: $1494.37
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2023-10-18 12:18 EDT-0400

[venomtail]

5 hours ago, awesomepants2000 said:

Although I appreciate the suggestions, you guys both removed the monitor haha. The monitor is a necessary purchase as well and must be factored into the budget.

 

In response to @filpo the prebuilt case does not have enough airflow to support a modern gaming PC. I'm not sure I understand the point of upgrading the cpu to the 5800x3d. Upgrading the graphics card to the 7900 xt is a tempting thought, but I think the 7800 xt is more than enough for my gaming needs.

 

In response to @venomtail I don't see the benefit of upgrading to ddr5. The RAM you suggest has more latency and the whole build is made much more expensive because of ddr5. If I needed a better cpu, couldn't I get the 5900x?

 

Thanks

I don't think I can squeeze any more out of a configuration like this, in terms of you having quality parts that won't slow each other down, perform well in 2023 and be within budget.

CPU cooling seems acceptable? Case should have included fans to ensure frech airflow.

The only other things you could look at reducing is noname storage, RAM and a bronze non modular PSU:

PCPartPicker Part List

CPU: AMD Ryzen 7 7800X3D 4.2 GHz 8-Core Processor  ($369.56 @ Amazon)
CPU Cooler: Thermalright Assassin X Refined SE PLUS 66.17 CFM CPU Cooler  ($19.50 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: ASRock B650M Pro RS Micro ATX AM5 Motherboard  ($119.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: OLOy Blade 32 GB (2 x 16 GB) DDR5-6000 CL32 Memory  ($83.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Crucial P3 Plus 1 TB M.2-2280 PCIe 4.0 X4 NVME Solid State Drive  ($44.99 @ Amazon)
Video Card: ASRock Challenger OC Radeon RX 7800 XT 16 GB Video Card  ($499.99 @ Newegg)
Case: Deepcool MATREXX 40 3FS MicroATX Mini Tower Case  ($49.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: Thermaltake Toughpower GF1 PE 850 W 80+ Gold Certified Fully Modular ATX Power Supply  ($99.99 @ Newegg)
Monitor: Acer Nitro XV1 XV271U 27.0" 2560 x 1440 180 Hz Monitor  ($209.99 @ Amazon)
Total: $1497.99
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2023-10-18 16:27 EDT-0400

[awesomepants2000]

Ok. That build looks pretty good to me @venomtail You make it sound like it was a challenge to get a good build in the budget. What would you change if the budget were $1800? $2000? Would the differences be significant to warrant increasing the budget?

[venomtail]

5 hours ago, awesomepants2000 said:

Ok. That build looks pretty good to me @venomtail You make it sound like it was a challenge to get a good build in the budget. What would you change if the budget were $1800? $2000? Would the differences be significant to warrant increasing the budget?

Budget would only really need a small bump. Bigger cooler, motherboard, case, GPU and monitor. $150 extra for a computer I'd be 99% satisfied with, the 1% not knowing what your tastes are. Gone with a funky unique orange look. Not that they're required but slightly more name brands and just quieter whilst running:

PCPartPicker Part List

CPU: AMD Ryzen 7 7800X3D 4.2 GHz 8-Core Processor  ($369.38 @ Amazon) 
CPU Cooler: Thermalright Phantom Spirit 120 SE 66.17 CFM CPU Cooler  ($37.90 @ Amazon) 
Motherboard: ASRock B650 LiveMixer ATX AM5 Motherboard  ($169.99 @ Newegg) 
Memory: OLOy Blade 32 GB (2 x 16 GB) DDR5-6000 CL32 Memory  ($83.99 @ Newegg) 
Storage: Crucial P3 Plus 1 TB M.2-2280 PCIe 4.0 X4 NVME Solid State Drive  ($44.99 @ Amazon) 
Video Card: PowerColor Hellhound OC Radeon RX 7800 XT 16 GB Video Card  ($519.99 @ Amazon) 
Case: Fractal Design Pop Air ATX Mid Tower Case  ($89.99 @ B&H) 
Power Supply: Thermaltake Toughpower GF1 PE 850 W 80+ Gold Certified Fully Modular ATX Power Supply  ($99.99 @ Newegg) 
Monitor: MSI G272QPF 27.0" 2560 x 1440 170 Hz Monitor  ($239.99 @ Amazon) 
Total: $1656.21
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2023-10-19 03:19 EDT-0400

[awesomepants2000]

Nice. The orange look is a little funky but I think quieter is better for sure. I would like 2 TB storage. I am curious what are your thoughts on the different gpu video cards. If they are all 7800xt, what is the difference between the different types? Why are some more expensive?