Building a PC -- $3,735 budget
Posted by hoyvenandtheglaven@reddit | buildapc | View on Reddit | 19 comments
Hi all,
I am going to be building a PC for the first time which will mostly be used for gaming. I have a specific budget I can't go over which is $3,735. How does this build look? Any advice is much appreciated!
| Component | Model | Vendor | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| CPU | AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D | Newegg or Amazon | $420 |
| CPU Cooler | Arctic Liquid Freezer III 360 mm AIO | Amazon | $130 |
| Motherboard | ASUS ROG STRIX B850-E Gaming WiFi (AM5, ATX, DDR5, PCIe 5.0) | Newegg | $300 |
| RAM | G.Skill Trident Z5 Neo RGB 32 GB (2×16 GB) DDR5-6000 CL30 | Amazon | $130 |
| GPU | MSI GeForce RTX 5080 16G Gaming Trio OC | Newegg | $1,300 |
| Storage | Samsung 990 Pro 4TB NVMe Gen4 SSD | Amazon | $350 |
| PSU | Corsair RM850x (2024) 850 W 80+ Gold | Newegg | $140 |
| Case | Fractal Design North XL (ATX mid-tower) | Amazon | $190 |
| OS | Windows 11 Pro retail license | Newegg | $200 |
| Keyboard | Keychron Q1 Pro QMK/VIA Wireless | Amazon | $200 |
| Mouse | Logitech G Pro X Superlight 2 | Amazon | $160 |
| Headset | HyperX Cloud III | Amazon | $100 |
| Mousepad | Logitech G840 XL | Amazon | $40 |
| Thermal paste + cable extras | Misc | Amazon | $60 |
| Total | \~$3,720 |
psimwork@reddit
Hey look an AI generated list.
This honestly looks more like you're interested in spending the entire budget than you are getting a well-spec'ed machine.
You can do this, but you don't need it. A Thermalright Peerless will do the job for $80 or so less money.
What will this do for you that the Gigabyte X870 EAGLE WIFI7 at basically half the price will not?
Hahahah yeah that's not happening at that price. Also basically any 6000MHz units will do. Preferably one that is EXPO compatible, but it doesn't HAVE to be.
Yeah.. That's not a $350 drive. And even if it were, there are generally options that are as-good-or-better for significantly less money.
Good power supply, but the Montech Century II is basically just as good for like 2/3 the cost.
hoyvenandtheglaven@reddit (OP)
Definitely trying to maximize the budget, but ultimately I was a well-spec'ed machine. I want to optimize based on the expertise of people like you so many thanks for the advice!
Primus_is_OK_I_guess@reddit
Do you live within a 2 hour drive of Micro Center?
hoyvenandtheglaven@reddit (OP)
Yes, I'm about 45 minutes from a Micro Center. Why?
Primus_is_OK_I_guess@reddit
OK, I am about to make this much easier for you.
RumbleTheCassette@reddit
I can hear you cracking your knuckles and licking your lips the moment you read he was 45 minutes from a Micro Center, lol. Awesome recommendations, thanks for helping this chap out.
Primus_is_OK_I_guess@reddit
Lastly, the thermal paste included with the AIO will be fine, but I like MX-7, or even better, a 33x33 Kryosheet (it lasts forever).
That's all you need for your PC. The Lancool 217 comes with great fans. I promise if you choose to follow my suggestions, you will have a great PC at a decent price and all premium components.
Primus_is_OK_I_guess@reddit
Liquid freezer III pro is a great option, but I actually prefer the Be Quiet! Silent Loop 3. It looks better, is easier to mount, and is refillable, so should last longer.
[$140 on Amazon](https://www.amazon.com/quiet-High-Speed-Performance-Refillable-BW025/dp/B0DWZJNH28/ref=sr_1_1?crid=16D6Y69JNP2CJ&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.KL3xjzw0_T7gzLzdMj1-9Q8ChuO_6Bq_VNlv7O1fOp8m2dujxzAFiuhUT_1sbC36cL-qL30Y_w_shLBiUPLIbVyqiifaf7ecLWvoX50V4g-8rYTZlZVUdvfdlJOkw_AVfy30puko2SPlAIwVBWMW_iD4pDXNbBX0fcvfvKJOlnfgFCneAZjQc3uTDjorRL1hnV45yqy81otykEgFV8RHR0vEU17tJdT0QC_Hng8nVD1ccOXn31WS7Qo4nuvQH_PPrhx5d7wZtnyjjfmhZjfS197z5ykXw0fkfcjG_WAdkL8.oSfVUrGHqTRyl6bfC07bzwtvqnTVvumRHJn08xY4raY&dib_tag=se&keywords=bequiet%2Bpro%2B3&qid=1778879748&s=electronics&sprefix=bequiet%2Bpro%2B%2Celectronics%2C165&sr=1-1&th=1)
Primus_is_OK_I_guess@reddit
[SSDs are absurdly priced at the moment, but you can get some *slightly* more reasonable deals on eBay. I would stick with 2TB and try to upgrade later if prices ever improve. This SN850x is new in box and a very high quality SSD](https://www.ebay.com/itm/178108674474?chn=ps&norover=1&mkevt=1&mkrid=711-166974-028196-7&mkcid=2&mkscid=101&itemid=178108674474&targetid=2274951440814&device=c&mktype=pla&googleloc=9023241&poi=&campaignid=23688126458&mkgroupid=195673626178&rlsatarget=pla-2274951440814&abcId=10652456&merchantid=8530054&geoid=9023241&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=23688126458&gbraid=0AAAAAD_QDh9zsC95i1gRwYtJKtlVoGAax&gclid=Cj0KCQjwiJvQBhCYARIsAMjts3KLlHkQUPVRDL_GNPbB2yrxR0-Wdfc5MSl6jppKoptw5hVTlUAqGpUaAmOIEALw_wcB)
Primus_is_OK_I_guess@reddit
Fractal North XL is a great case, but this one has a similar aesthetic and better build quality
Lancool 217 for $120
https://www.microcenter.com/product/691917/lian-li-lancool-217-tempered-glass-atx-mid-tower-computer-case-black
Primus_is_OK_I_guess@reddit
I would go with a PNY 5080 from Best Buy for $1270, (or $1300 if you want RGB)
But if you don't like how it looks, get this one from Micro Center.
ASUS Prime 5080 for $1365
https://www.microcenter.com/product/690435/asus-nvidia-geforce-rtx-5080-prime-triple-fan-16gb-gddr7-pcie-50-graphics-card
Primus_is_OK_I_guess@reddit
$130 for an A+ rated PSU (click "see all buying options" and get the one directly from ASRock)
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DNNTT6NX?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_fed_asin_title&th=1
Primus_is_OK_I_guess@reddit
9800x3d, motherboard, and 32GB of RAM for $680 all together.
https://www.microcenter.com/product/5007415/amd-ryzen-7-9800x3d,-gigabyte-b850-gaming-x-wifi6e-am5,-gskill-flare-x5-series-32gb-ddr5-6000-kit,-computer-build-bundle
Borigh@reddit
Are you near a Microcenter?
If not:
PCPartPicker Part List
hoyvenandtheglaven@reddit (OP)
Also yes, I'm about 45 minutes from a Micro Center. Why?
Borigh@reddit
Microcenter has incredible bundles and good GPU pricing, as I explained in my second comment.
hoyvenandtheglaven@reddit (OP)
Yeah, my pricing was off. This is a really nice build, thanks for the advice!
Borigh@reddit
No worries. But since you're near Microcenter, I'd recommend something like this. This is their 9850X3D bundle with the $50 motherboard upgrade to the MSI 870-P, and getting the 5080 there as well. Options may vary at your local Microcenter, but you get a lot more bang for your buck, and can splurge on peripherals.
I'd also get the KTC M27P6 instead of the OLED if it's a work + gaming computer, but if it's not really for work, the OLED is better.
PCPartPicker Part List
KobraPlayzMC@reddit
130 for 32gb ram?