Time to replace my 2016 PC (i5, rtx1060) - I'm not an expert.
Posted by paulodelgado@reddit | buildapc | View on Reddit | 22 comments
Back in 2016 I built a PC with a rtx1060... later I also purchased an ultrawide monitor (3440x1440) and of course the 1060 can't handle it.
Disclaimer: I will use Linux (Fedora or Bazzite) - I've used Linux for many years)
I bought a rx9070 (close to msrp) so I'm building something around it. I really want a nice-ish case so I picked the Antec C8 Curve (wood). I also like some RGB but not dead set on making a super flashy machine.
This is what I have so far and I'm ready to pull the trigger but wanted a bit of criticism in case there's something obvious I'm totally missing.
| Type | Item | Price |
|---|---|---|
| CPU | AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D 4.7 GHz 8-Core Processor | $472.02 @ Amazon |
| CPU Cooler | Antec VORTEX 360 57.93 CFM Liquid CPU Cooler | - |
| Motherboard | Asus ROG STRIX B650E-F GAMING WIFI ATX AM5 Motherboard | $249.95 @ Amazon |
| Memory | Corsair Vengeance RGB 32 GB (2 x 16 GB) DDR5-6000 CL36 Memory | $91.14 @ Amazon |
| Storage | Samsung 990 Pro 2 TB M.2-2280 PCIe 4.0 X4 NVME Solid State Drive | $169.99 @ Abt |
| Video Card | XFX Swift Radeon RX 9070 XT 16 GB Video Card | $950.00 @ Amazon |
| Case | Antec C8 Curve Wood ATX Mid Tower Case | $149.99 @ Newegg |
| Power Supply | Cooler Master MWE Gold 850 - V2 850 W 80+ Gold Certified Fully Modular ATX Power Supply | $99.99 @ Amazon |
| Prices include shipping, taxes, rebates, and discounts | ||
| Total | $2183.08 | |
| Generated by PCPartPicker 2025-05-30 18:28 EDT-0400 |
Lowfat_cheese@reddit
For your budget this all looks good to me. The only thing I can think to look out for is the issue with 9800X3D chips burning themselves out, though that seems to mostly only happen on Asrock motherboards.
paulodelgado@reddit (OP)
You're right, the list above doesn't include an Antec Vortex AIO and a couple extra fans.
I'm curious about your notes on the GPU.
Livid-Cheek7846@reddit
How has your experience been with the antec vortex?
paulodelgado@reddit (OP)
Hasn’t been delivered
Lowfat_cheese@reddit
Mainly just the price, in your post you said you had a 9070, but then I saw you actually got a 9070 XT in the partpicker list.
paulodelgado@reddit (OP)
I do have a 9070xt.. I just forgot to edit the price, it was actually under $800
lightningboy2527@reddit
Seems good. If you can get lower latency RAM that would be better (ideally CL30). I'm not sure what games you want to play but on 1440p ultrawide its likely that you will be GPU bottlenecked, so if you want to save money you could go for a cheaper non X3D cpu
paulodelgado@reddit (OP)
This is something that's been in the back of my mind, what exactly am I getting with the X3D cpu? I'm OOTL regarding cpus these days which is why I posted here.
I know mostly I'll use this pc for gaming but I'm also a programmer and every once in a while I do some coding side projects (where I can't use my work-provided M3 Macbook Pro) that usually require docker...
daanos60@reddit
The x3d has more 3rd layer cache, which makes a lot of games run faster, and significantly improves 1% lows in most games. It depends on your type of workload if the extra cache is used though, but since the 9800x3d can be overclocked just like the 9800x, you shouldn't have lower productivity performance, like with the older x3Ds
paulodelgado@reddit (OP)
Thanks! I think I'll stick with the x3D... sounds like the better long term purchase.
PANIC-AtTheDiscourse@reddit
Don’t bother upgrading, video games released in the last decade are all slop aside from the occasional indie title
paulodelgado@reddit (OP)
Did you read the part that I'd like to use my 3440x1440 monitor? with a 1060? Even games from the last 5 years struggle to run at low settings at that resolution.
PANIC-AtTheDiscourse@reddit
I ran elden ring on medium settings on linux @ 30 fps on a 970, don’t fall for the rat race
paulodelgado@reddit (OP)
I feel like we're focusing on different things. Some folks are a-ok watching movies on their phone or tablet... others like to go to a movie theater, or at a nice home theater. Some folks are a-ok listening to music on their bluetooth speaker and others prefer a hifi system. The movie and the music may be the same, but the experience is different.
Red dead redemption 2 came out in 2018 and playing it on my 1060 at 3440x1440 is a subpar experience. Same with Borderlands 3, same with Baldur's gate 3..
I'm also curious why you're on a pc building sub telling people to stick to their 10 year old pc. Its called /r/buildapc not /r/keepyouroldpc
DoubleEngineer1748@reddit
Ok yeah nobody wants to play a game at fucking 30 fps
PANIC-AtTheDiscourse@reddit
At some point you realize that all this new hardware and ultra realistic graphics don’t mean shit if you’re just running around in a soulless ubisoft style open world for 60 hours, a good game works at low settings and 15 fps.
Little-Equinox@reddit
Okay, play Dragon's Dogma 2 or Monster Hunter Wilds on 3440x1440 on your 900 series GPU. I wonder how much fps you'll have an if it looks like an Elden Ring Demake or a proper modern game.
DoubleEngineer1748@reddit
Yeah I guess but like 15 frames is borderline hard to look at, especially if there’s anything moving and assuming it’s accompanied with frame drops and stuff. I got old hardware too i’m just sayin. Also he already bought the 9070
Little-Equinox@reddit
1 thing I certainly can recommend is a better AiO, the 9800X3D is a very hot CPU.
Sensitive-Rock-7664@reddit
Don't listen to him. Enjoy your new build :D
jasonwc@reddit
I’m confused. You say you bought a 9700 XT close to MSRP, but you list the price at $950, which is $350 (46% over MSRP). The Asrock steel legend 9700 XT has been available at $700 off and on. That’s currently the cheapest 9070 XT broadly available.
paulodelgado@reddit (OP)
That’s true. I didn’t edit the prices from pc part picker.