First time builder: Is my build functional?
Posted by fake_zack@reddit | buildapc | View on Reddit | 15 comments
Trying to build a workstation PC, first time builder. Building in the USA. Gonna be used essentially for Adobe Premiere video editing, Photoshop/LightRoom, Screenwriting, Gaming (non-competitive, not trying to make a Gaming machine, but something that can play decent games.), and probably video conferencing.
CPU: Intel Core i7-14700K
Cooler: DeepCool AK620
Motherboard: MSI PRO Z790-A WiFi (LGA1700, DDR5)
RAM: 32GB DDR5-6000 CL30 (2×16GB)
GPU: RTX 4070 12GB
SSD: 2TB WD Black SN850X NVMe
HDD: 2TB Seagate Barracuda
PSU: Corsair RM750x 750W 80+ Gold
Case: Fractal Design Pop Air Mesh
Looking for 5–7 years before needing upgrades. Any suggestions or red flags? I really don’t know if this is a workable build. Please help lol. Thanks.
BaronB@reddit
If you're going with a new DDR5 system, you should be looking at the Intel Core Ultra 270k Plus, not the 3 year old 14700k. Only reason to go with 14th gen is if you're trying to avoid the high price of DDR5.
If you're in the US, DeepCool products were banned two years ago, so you're not getting an AK620 new.
The RTX 4070 hasn't been in production for two years, and while you can still buy them, the RTX 5070 is faster and cheaper.
...
So unless this is a used build or old prebuilt you're getting, yes, lots of red flags.
fake_zack@reddit (OP)
Thanks so much! This is really helpful. I was considering buying some older tech to save some money with marginal downgrades, but if you think it’s better to go with newer, that’s good to know
BaronB@reddit
The current market is very weird. Older used 14th gen Intel CPUs are often more expensive than the newer 15th gen, all because of DDR5 prices pushing the price of DDR4 capable components up. The 14700k is one of the faster available options for DDR4, so even on the used market it's more than the much faster DDR5 only 270k. Hence why if you're going to bite the bullet and go with DDR5, you should go with the newer CPUs.
Similarly, many of the more recent Nvidia GPUs have retained quite high used values. A used RTX 4070 at $450 is a good value vs a $600 RTX 5070, but a lot of people are trying to sell used RTX 4070 GPUs at >$500 still and at that price point a new RTX 5070 looks a lot better.
My other thoughts would be this:
With DDR5 prices going so insane, DDR5 5200 \~ 6400 is all fine, and you can basically ignore the CL rating. For non-gaming, these differences have very little impact, and for non-competitive gaming it often matters a lot less too.
The SN850X was a great SSD for a long time, but they're also no longer made and generally extremely expensive. There are lots of more "budget" SSDs out there today that are more reasonably priced, at least considering today's market where everything is 2-3x more than it was 6 months ago.
The RM750x is a decent PSU, but there are some other excellent options out there today for a lot less. The SAMA G750, the NZXT C750 Core, and the Asrock Steel Legend and Phantom Gaming 750W options are all A tier and extremely aggressively priced, with the NZXT model in particular being amazingly efficient and quiet, and the SAMA and Asrock models being less than some low tier non-modular PSUs.
Lastly the Pop Air was a great case... when it was $65 in a market where most cases were $100+ or made so cheap you could easily bend the frame with your hand. Today it's kind of too expensive for what it is, with cases like the Montech Air 903 Base / Max, Montech XR Wood, and Phanteks XT Ultra being extremely well made cases with excellent fans for around the same price the Pop Air used to sell for. Even the Corsair 3200D RS is less expensive and comes with better fans.
Aleksanterinleivos@reddit
Use PCPP or at least bare minimum add prices and budget.
fake_zack@reddit (OP)
Sorry, I tried using PCPP, but found it kind of overwhelming. Budget’s 1750, but flexible by a 100 or so.
psimwork@reddit
So looking at your original build, plus your budget being $1750 +/- $100, I'm guessing that this is a build that was generated by AI? Because in the US that is not really going to happen:
Deepcool has been barred from import from the USA due to violations of sanctions against Russia.
Pricing of 6000MHz CL30 RAM is insane right now.
The RTX 4070 is out of production and has been for quite some time.
The price of SSDs is insane such that that SSD is $350 at-minimum.
All of these issues would make a lot of sense if this was generated by AI, which isn't up-to-date on part availability and market pricing.
Anyway, I couldn't get you to $1850, but this would be a reasonable build for your purposes:
PCPartPicker Part List
fake_zack@reddit (OP)
Thank you so much. You’re a life saver
ZwhGCfJdVAy558gD@reddit
The Intel 270K is faster, more power-efficient and cheaper than the 14700K when bought new. So unless you have a stellar deal, I would opt for that CPU and an LGA1851 motherboard. If you have a Microcenter store nearby, they may have some great bundle deals with the 270k. Also, not sure why you'd use an HDD for 2TB storage. SSDs accelerate everything enormously (though they are currently very expensive). Rest looks good.
Andy202007@reddit
If you aren't required to use Adobe software, bear in mind that DaVinci Resolve is free (video editing), and the Affinity photo editing software is also now free, saving you in excess of $500/year, and all the work remains in your hands instead of at the mercy of a greedy corporation. IMHO.
The sound of an HDD is unnecessary nowadays: I suggest you get a cheap (as in, less than Black) WD Blue 2 TB SSD for the secondary one.
Don't forget about storage for backups.
fake_zack@reddit (OP)
Love Davinci. Got Adobe covered by my job tho, so at least I’m not paying for it lol.
So I can do 2 SSD in one machine?
psimwork@reddit
Why are you using a 14700K instead of Intel's newer platform?
fake_zack@reddit (OP)
I was looking for places to save. I figured three years wouldn’t be a huge impact on performance, but I can look at newer stuff, for sure.
Aleksanterinleivos@reddit
I'm guessing it's either a used machine someone put together a couple years ago, or they used AI and it had outdated information.
Middle-Sand-5222@reddit
Honestly this is a very solid first build and fully runnable for the kind of workstation/gaming hybrid you want. The 14700K + RTX 4070 combo is great for Premiere, Photoshop, multitasking, and decent 1440p gaming without turning the build into an overkill gaming only machine.
JoshLineberry@reddit
You'll probably want a 360 aio cooler because the 14th gen cpus get hot af but everything looks great for your goal. A 14900k would be better of course but thats more money!