Need expert PC Build Advice… again..
Posted by Timmy_Tot@reddit | buildapc | View on Reddit | 15 comments
I had made a post asking for advice on where to start when building a PC. After getting some advice, I picked my parts on PC Part Picker and now I’d like some advice on my picks. Please let me know if everything looks good, or if I should change anything, add anything… all the things.
CPU - AMD Ryzen 9 9950x3D 4.3 GHz 16-core Processor
CPU Cooler - ARCTIC Alpine 23 CPU Cooler
Motherboard - MSI MAG B850 TOMAHAWK MAX WIFI ATX AM5
Memory - Corsair Vengeance RGB 32GB (2 x 16 GB) DDR5-6000 CL36
Storage - Samsung 990 Pro 2TB M.2-2280 PCIe 4.0 X4 NVME
Video Card - Asus PRIME GeForce RTX 5070 Ti 16 GB
Case - Fractal Design North ATX Mid Tower
Power Supply - MSI MAG A750GL PCIE5 750 W 80+ Gold Certified Fully Modular ATX
Operating System - MS Windows 11 Pro Retail USB 64-Bit
Anything missing?
Timmy_Tot@reddit (OP)
So, it’s not purely for gaming. I do my professional work on my MacBook and iPad Pro, but on my PC, I game and do some video editing, and trying too go pro doing that as well, but yes, if I can save some cash, that’d be great, but I do want a powerhouse.
Would it be practical to buy something off the shelf and upgrade it over time?
CoreyPL_@reddit
MSI MAG A750GL - those have loud fans (whole A-GL line) - you can find many reports of that problem on the internet.
CPU cooler - you picked that by mistake? It's a very small cooler for low-TDP CPUs, it will throttle your 9950X3D to death. You need a proper cooler, AIO preferably.
Windows Retail USB - those are much more expensive than OEM ones, and you can download install ISO directly from Microsoft and make your own USB. You will save 1/3 of the price. Also if your system is not connected to any domain and you don't do any professional work on it that needs external 3rd party support, then you will be fine with Home version.
Timmy_Tot@reddit (OP)
I let the website pick the Cooler based on the other parts. And what would you suggest as an alternative to the A750GL? And i got the USB because i would rather have a clean install of Windows on hand that i can reuse for other devices.
CoreyPL_@reddit
You can make the same USB yourself - Microsoft provides official tool for it - and save like $70-$80. Not to mention Windows ISO being updated at least once a year, so your USB will get outdated after max 12 months. But it's your money.
For a cooler I would recommend either Arctic Liquid Freezer III 360 or Thermalright AIOs.
Good PSU: Corsair RM750x - ATX 3.1, Gold rated, fully modular, 12V-2x6 native connector, A+ rating on the tier list.
Will your PC be used for gaming only or also productivity?
Timmy_Tot@reddit (OP)
Thank you for your recommendations! Thats what i was hoping to get out of this. It will also be for productivity. I have a MacBook for work, but there are definitely times when i need Windows. I guess you could say its going to be mostly for high end gaming. I was using a RoG Ally X as a desktop computer, but i wanted to incest that money into an actual PC.
CoreyPL_@reddit
No problem :)
If it's for the productivity tasks, then 9950X3D makes sense. For gaming or high end (4K) gaming, 9800X3D would be more than enough and definitely cheaper.
If your software can use more than 32GB or will benefit from it, you might want to consider going 2x32GB instead of 2x16GB. Reason is, that it is very hard for the memory controller to drive 4 stick of RAM at high speeds like 6000MT and you will probably have to lower the speed of the memory to 5600MT or 5200MT just to be able to boot with 4 sticks if you will decide to expand in the future. So buying 2x32GB now can alleviate future problem.
Timmy_Tot@reddit (OP)
So, if you don’t mind, I want to run this build by you, since you’re the only one who has bothered to answer. If you don’t care, just ignore lol… A lot of this is the same as above but w/some modifications.
CPU - AMD Ryzen 9800x3D 4.7 GHz 8-core processor
CPU Cooler - Arctic Liquid Freezer III Pro 360 77 CFM Liquid Cooler
Motherboard - Gigabyte B850 AORUS Elite WIFI7 ATX AM5
Memory - Corsair Vengeance RGB 64 GB (2 x 32) DDR5 6000 CL30
Storage - Samsung 990 Pro 2TB M.2-2280 PCIe 4.0 X4 NVME
Video Card - Asus PRIME GeForce RTX 5070 Ti 16 GB
Case - Lian Li O11 Vision ATX Mid Tower
PSU - Corsair RM850x (2024) 850 Fully Modular ATX
And curious if I’m missing anything I might want or need…
CoreyPL_@reddit
Looks good. I see you've decided to go for 8 core CPU :)
Your case does not come with any fans, so you will only have 3 on the AIO. I would add one on the back and maybe fill the bottom if you want to have some additional airflow. Arctic P12 or P14 are very good and reasonably priced. Pick a size that fits the fan placement.
Other than that it looks like a solid build.
Timmy_Tot@reddit (OP)
That actually makes sense. I used to be fairly well versed in PC technology… 15-20 years ago… I stopped after not really needing/unable to afford a new PC for so long and seeing these new parts is so confusing… naming schemes are such a kick in the ass, but it didn’t take me long to learn laptop parts, so I’m hoping I’ll pick up on PC parts soon enough… the building part never really changes…
CoreyPL_@reddit
It's like riding a bike. Might be a bit rusty after getting back to it, but you will catch up quick.
And you can always ask questions here.
Fragluton@reddit
What are you using it for? Personally I'd bump the PSU up to 850w for minimal extra cost, just gives a bit more of a buffer.
Timmy_Tot@reddit (OP)
Okay, yeah I wasn’t completely sure what the PSU should be.. I changed it to the 850 version of that MSI part… I’m trying to get back into PC gaming as well as have an everything desktop PC… I have an RoG Flow Z13 (2025) and I do love it, but my main setup is Apple and I want a good gaming PC that I also use for Windows stuff and this build is the same price I paid for the Flow Z13
Fragluton@reddit
Reason I asked is the 9950X3D is aimed at those needing 16 cores. 9800X3D is still an amazing CPU and will do most things people need. In games I think the 9950X3D has to park half the cores as you only want to be using X3D cores for games. So unless you NEED the extra cores for something, i'd go 9800X3D personally.
Timmy_Tot@reddit (OP)
Oh okay. I appreciate the info! I picked that one at the recommendation of another person on my Facebook original post, but if that’s the case, I’ll change it. What about the rest of the build? I do want an above average gaming PC and something I can upgrade as needed as the years go.
Fragluton@reddit
If you were doing work that needed 16 cores it could be good. For gaming it's a waste of time. 9800X3D will smash games for some time yet!
Had another look at the list, that CPU cooler isn't going to suit really. Peerless Assassin seems to pop up a bit. But they also mention Phantom Spirit which sounds to be better. So maybe look that one up. The 9000 series chips usually run pretty hot in either case as they are made to ramp up performance as much as they can.
The rest of the list looks ok. People often mention getting CL30 memory, but i'm not sure how much extra that costs and with a X3D CPU, it's less of a worry I think. So I wouldn't pay much extra personally to go CL36 to CL30.