Question Help review 1st time gamer pc build son

[cloudmine111]

Hello, haven't built a new machine in over a decade and never a gaming PC. This will be a first time budget friendly gamer build for my son. Trying to capitalize on thanksgiving deals. Finding a reasonably priced but good gaming GPU under $350 is tough. He currently plays the top soccer, formula 1, racing and football games on gaming console but wants to move over to PC. Have 2 drives to run Raid 1 for redundancy (cause that is what I am used to) though maybe this isnt good for gaming? Was trying to keep to $1000 or less, but $1200 is OK.

Looking for review and input by group - thank in advance. This comes to $1168 pre-tax - is that good value?

• CPU: AMD Ryzen 7 5700X3D 3 GHz 8-Core Processor ($196.89)
• CPU Cooler: Cooler Master MasterLiquid 360L Core ARGB Liquid CPU Cooler ($69.98)
• Motherboard: Gigabyte B550 UD AC ATX AM4 Motherboard ($107.21)
• Memory: Corsair Vengeance RGB Pro SL 32 GB (2 x 16 GB) DDR4-3600 CL18 Memory ($59.99)
• Storage 1: Western Digital WD Blue SN5000 1 TB M.2-2280 PCIe 4.0 X4 NVME Solid State Drive ($59.99)
• Storage 2: Western Digital WD Blue SN5000 1 TB M.2-2280 PCIe 4.0 X4 NVME Solid State Drive ($59.99)
• Video Card: XFX Speedster SWFT 319 Core Radeon RX 6800 16 GB Video Card ($339.99)
• Case: Montech AIR 903 MAX ATX Mid Tower Case ($65.90)
• Power Supply: Corsair RM750x (2021) 750 W 80+ Gold Certified Fully Modular ATX Power Supply ($79.99)
• Operating System: Microsoft Windows 11 Home Retail USB 64-bit ($129.99)

 

[Flayed]

Hello, haven't built a new machine in over a decade and never a gaming PC. This will be a first time budget friendly gamer build for my son. Trying to capitalize on thanksgiving deals. Finding a reasonably priced but good gaming GPU under $350 is tough. He currently plays the top soccer, formula 1, racing and football games on gaming console but wants to move over to PC. Have 2 drives to run Raid 1 for redundancy (cause that is what I am used to) though maybe this isnt good for gaming? Was trying to keep to $1000 or less, but $1200 is OK.

Looking for review and input by group - thank in advance. This comes to $1168 pre-tax - is that good value?

• CPU: AMD Ryzen 7 5700X3D 3 GHz 8-Core Processor ($196.89)
• CPU Cooler: Cooler Master MasterLiquid 360L Core ARGB Liquid CPU Cooler ($69.98)
• Motherboard: Gigabyte B550 UD AC ATX AM4 Motherboard ($107.21)
• Memory: Corsair Vengeance RGB Pro SL 32 GB (2 x 16 GB) DDR4-3600 CL18 Memory ($59.99)
• Storage 1: Western Digital WD Blue SN5000 1 TB M.2-2280 PCIe 4.0 X4 NVME Solid State Drive ($59.99)
• Storage 2: Western Digital WD Blue SN5000 1 TB M.2-2280 PCIe 4.0 X4 NVME Solid State Drive ($59.99)
• Video Card: XFX Speedster SWFT 319 Core Radeon RX 6800 16 GB Video Card ($339.99)
• Case: Montech AIR 903 MAX ATX Mid Tower Case ($65.90)
• Power Supply: Corsair RM750x (2021) 750 W 80+ Gold Certified Fully Modular ATX Power Supply ($79.99)
• Operating System: Microsoft Windows 11 Home Retail USB 64-bit ($129.99)

Have a look at this deal it should save you some cash:

https://www.newegg.com/Product/Comb...&ranSiteID=HlvbvYZP82I-.D3gcNk_MouO77QwYtMeGg

 

[RAIDGoblin]

...Have 2 drives to run Raid 1 for redundancy (cause that is what I am used to) though maybe this isnt good for gaming? Was trying to keep to $1000 or less, but $1200 is OK.

you can have it boot off an m.2 ssd and set up raid with hdd's for data storage, ssd's are faster, it makes quite a big difference. I run Debian, IDK if similar can be done in windows? but I have the root directory (system) on the m.2, and the home directory (files and data) in raid on the hdd's, that way everything is stored in raid and I still get the speed of an ssd. Just don't forget, raid is protection against drive faliure, not a backup, if your PC gets a virus or something, raid protocol will dutifuly copy the damage to both drives, you still need to back stuff up

*edit, read your specs, your using ssd's anyway, kinda ignore everything I said about speed, oops

it depends on what your son will be doing if it's worth seting that up, usualy gamers just go full install on a ssd, purely for speed

 

[Why_Me]

As good as the 5700x3D is, I think I would be looking at a system that has an upgrade path. Add a gpu to this build.

https://www.aliexpress.us/item/3256805937115185.html

AMD Ryzen 5 7500F $127.00

PCPartPicker Part List

CPU Cooler: *ID-COOLING FROZN A620 PRO SE 58 CFM CPU Cooler ($29.99 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: *MSI PRO B650-S WIFI ATX AM5 Motherboard ($129.99 @ Amazon)
Memory: *TEAMGROUP T-Create Expert 32 GB (2 x 16 GB) DDR5-6000 CL30 Memory ($81.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: *MSI SPATIUM M482 Eco-Pack 2 TB M.2-2280 PCIe 4.0 X4 NVME Solid State Drive ($89.99 @ MSI)
Case: *Montech AIR 903 BASE ATX Mid Tower Case ($59.88 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: *MSI MAG A750GL PCIE5 750 W 80+ Gold Certified Fully Modular ATX Power Supply ($79.98 @ Amazon)
Total: $471.82
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
*Lowest price parts chosen from parametric criteria
Generated by PCPartPicker 2024-11-27 01:57 EST-0500

Total: $598.82 w/cpu

https://www.tomshardware.com/software/windows/windows-11-free-or-cheap

 

[ohio_buckeye]

Also, op do you have a Microcenter nearby? If you do, head over there. They’ve got combo deals going all the time.

For example

https://www.microcenter.com/product...ies-32gb-ddr5-6000-kit,-computer-build-bundle

If you want to save 30 bucks they’ve got one with the 7700x. Or if you’re really wanting to save you can get the 7600x with a board and 16gb ram for 300, or the 9600x is 30 bucks extra.

https://www.microcenter.com/product...l-flare-24gb-ddr5-5200,-computer-build-bundle

At your budget I think the 6800 is a fine choice. I’ve got a 6800xt and it’s a little faster than that card but I think going to that or a 7800xt might take too much from the budget possibly.

Have you looked at a monitor? This is what I just picked up. Should go great with that card.



https://www.microcenter.com/product...-27-2k-qhd-(2560-x-1440)-180hz-gaming-monitor

I had accidentally posted a 1080p monitor. The 1440p one above is what I have. I caught it on sale for 129.99 last Friday. Either they had it priced wrong or had a hot sale that expired.

 

[cloudmine111]

you can have it boot off an m.2 ssd and set up raid with hdd's for data storage, ssd's are faster, it makes quite a big difference. I run Debian, IDK if similar can be done in windows? but I have the root directory (system) on the m.2, and the home directory (files and data) in raid on the hdd's, that way everything is stored in raid and I still get the speed of an ssd. Just don't forget, raid is protection against drive faliure, not a backup, if your PC gets a virus or something, raid protocol will dutifuly copy the damage to both drives, you still need to back stuff up

*edit, read your specs, your using ssd's anyway, kinda ignore everything I said about speed, oops

it depends on what your son will be doing if it's worth seting that up, usualy gamers just go full install on a ssd, purely for speed

Understood - thank you!

 

[cloudmine111]

Also, op do you have a Microcenter nearby? If you do, head over there. They’ve got combo deals going all the time.

For example

https://www.microcenter.com/product...ies-32gb-ddr5-6000-kit,-computer-build-bundle

If you want to save 30 bucks they’ve got one with the 7700x. Or if you’re really wanting to save you can get the 7600x with a board and 16gb ram for 300, or the 9600x is 30 bucks extra.

https://www.microcenter.com/product...l-flare-24gb-ddr5-5200,-computer-build-bundle

At your budget I think the 6800 is a fine choice. I’ve got a 6800xt and it’s a little faster than that card but I think going to that or a 7800xt might take too much from the budget possibly.

Have you looked at a monitor? This is what I just picked up. Should go great with that card.



https://www.microcenter.com/product...-27-2k-qhd-(2560-x-1440)-180hz-gaming-monitor

I had accidentally posted a 1080p monitor. The 1440p one above is what I have. I caught it on sale for 129.99 last Friday. Either they had it priced wrong or had a hot sale that expired.

Unfortunately, I don't have one nearby but those do look good.

 

[cloudmine111]

As good as the 5700x3D is, I think I would be looking at a system that has an upgrade path. Add a gpu to this build.

https://www.aliexpress.us/item/3256805937115185.html

AMD Ryzen 5 7500F $127.00

PCPartPicker Part List

CPU Cooler: *ID-COOLING FROZN A620 PRO SE 58 CFM CPU Cooler ($29.99 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: *MSI PRO B650-S WIFI ATX AM5 Motherboard ($129.99 @ Amazon)
Memory: *TEAMGROUP T-Create Expert 32 GB (2 x 16 GB) DDR5-6000 CL30 Memory ($81.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: *MSI SPATIUM M482 Eco-Pack 2 TB M.2-2280 PCIe 4.0 X4 NVME Solid State Drive ($89.99 @ MSI)
Case: *Montech AIR 903 BASE ATX Mid Tower Case ($59.88 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: *MSI MAG A750GL PCIE5 750 W 80+ Gold Certified Fully Modular ATX Power Supply ($79.98 @ Amazon)
Total: $471.82
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
*Lowest price parts chosen from parametric criteria
Generated by PCPartPicker 2024-11-27 01:57 EST-0500

Total: $598.82 w/cpu

https://www.tomshardware.com/software/windows/windows-11-free-or-cheap

Thank you - this is an interesting option - reviewing the specs now.

 

[USAFRet]

and set up raid with hdd's for data storage,

In the consumer world, RAID is rarely a good idea.

and the home directory (files and data) in raid on the hdd's, that way everything is stored in raid and I still get the speed of an ssd. Just don't forget, raid is protection against drive faliure, not a backup,

That 'speed' would indicate a RAID 0?
If so, that is the very antithesis of "protection against drive failure".

Loss of one drive, or the RAID controller, means all data in the array is lost.

 

[logainofhades]

A little over $1200, but a solid rig with an upgrade path.

PCPartPicker Part List

CPU: AMD Ryzen 7 7700X 4.5 GHz 8-Core Processor ($259.99 @ Newegg)
CPU Cooler: Thermalright Phantom Spirit 120 SE ARGB 66.17 CFM CPU Cooler ($35.90 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: ASRock B650M-HDV/M.2 Micro ATX AM5 Motherboard ($99.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: TEAMGROUP T-Create Expert 32 GB (2 x 16 GB) DDR5-6000 CL30 Memory ($81.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Inland Performance Plus 1 TB M.2-2280 PCIe 4.0 X4 NVME Solid State Drive ($69.98 @ Amazon)
Storage: Inland Performance Plus 2 TB M.2-2280 PCIe 4.0 X4 NVME Solid State Drive ($129.99 @ Amazon)
Video Card: XFX Speedster QICK 319 Core Radeon RX 7800 XT 16 GB Video Card ($369.00 @ Amazon)
Case: Montech AIR 903 MAX ATX Mid Tower Case ($65.88 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: Thermaltake Toughpower GF A3 - TT Premium Edition 850 W 80+ Gold Certified Fully Modular ATX Power Supply ($89.99 @ Best Buy)
Total: $1202.71
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2024-11-27 11:07 EST-0500

You could go with an R5 7600 to save a bit of money, but I would recommend staying with the 7700x.

PCPartPicker Part List

CPU: AMD Ryzen 5 7600 3.8 GHz 6-Core Processor ($178.99 @ Amazon)
CPU Cooler: Thermalright Phantom Spirit 120 SE ARGB 66.17 CFM CPU Cooler ($35.90 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: ASRock B650M-HDV/M.2 Micro ATX AM5 Motherboard ($99.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: TEAMGROUP T-Create Expert 32 GB (2 x 16 GB) DDR5-6000 CL30 Memory ($81.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Inland Performance Plus 1 TB M.2-2280 PCIe 4.0 X4 NVME Solid State Drive ($69.98 @ Amazon)
Storage: Inland Performance Plus 2 TB M.2-2280 PCIe 4.0 X4 NVME Solid State Drive ($129.99 @ Amazon)
Video Card: XFX Speedster QICK 319 Core Radeon RX 7800 XT 16 GB Video Card ($369.00 @ Amazon)
Case: Montech AIR 903 MAX ATX Mid Tower Case ($65.88 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: Thermaltake Toughpower GF A3 - TT Premium Edition 850 W 80+ Gold Certified Fully Modular ATX Power Supply ($89.99 @ Best Buy)
Total: $1121.71
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2024-11-27 11:09 EST-0500

 

[cloudmine111]

you can have it boot off an m.2 ssd and set up raid with hdd's for data storage, ssd's are faster, it makes quite a big difference. I run Debian, IDK if similar can be done in windows? but I have the root directory (system) on the m.2, and the home directory (files and data) in raid on the hdd's, that way everything is stored in raid and I still get the speed of an ssd. Just don't forget, raid is protection against drive faliure, not a backup, if your PC gets a virus or something, raid protocol will dutifuly copy the damage to both drives, you still need to back stuff up

*edit, read your specs, your using ssd's anyway, kinda ignore everything I said about speed, oops

it depends on what your son will be doing if it's worth seting that up, usualy gamers just go full install on a ssd, purely for speed

You are correct, my son will just be doing games as all their important work in school is online with google docs, so nothing critical to maintain. It will make more sense to go with a single larger capacity SSD and then an external drive for backups. This will be faster than Raid 1 anyway. Thanks.

 

[ohio_buckeye]

Too bad no Microcenter. If most things are on Google docs you could just go one drive. Modern ssd drives are lightning fast.

On the ryzen 5 7500f, I’ve never used aliexpress but that is a good price. If I’m not mistaken, the F indicates no onboard video. But you’ll be using a gpu anyway so who cares imo.

I’ve got the older Thermalright peerless assassin on my i5 12600kf and it runs just fine. The one you selected is supposed to be a little better so I think your cooling will not be an issue. Just be sure you have a long magnetic Phillips screwdriver when you install it. It will make the job much easier.

Good find on the 7800xt

 

[cloudmine111]

A little over $1200, but a solid rig with an upgrade path.

PCPartPicker Part List

CPU: AMD Ryzen 7 7700X 4.5 GHz 8-Core Processor ($259.99 @ Newegg)
CPU Cooler: Thermalright Phantom Spirit 120 SE ARGB 66.17 CFM CPU Cooler ($35.90 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: ASRock B650M-HDV/M.2 Micro ATX AM5 Motherboard ($99.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: TEAMGROUP T-Create Expert 32 GB (2 x 16 GB) DDR5-6000 CL30 Memory ($81.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Inland Performance Plus 1 TB M.2-2280 PCIe 4.0 X4 NVME Solid State Drive ($69.98 @ Amazon)
Storage: Inland Performance Plus 2 TB M.2-2280 PCIe 4.0 X4 NVME Solid State Drive ($129.99 @ Amazon)
Video Card: XFX Speedster QICK 319 Core Radeon RX 7800 XT 16 GB Video Card ($369.00 @ Amazon)
Case: Montech AIR 903 MAX ATX Mid Tower Case ($65.88 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: Thermaltake Toughpower GF A3 - TT Premium Edition 850 W 80+ Gold Certified Fully Modular ATX Power Supply ($89.99 @ Best Buy)
Total: $1202.71
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2024-11-27 11:07 EST-0500

You could go with an R5 7600 to save a bit of money, but I would recommend staying with the 7700x.

PCPartPicker Part List

CPU: AMD Ryzen 5 7600 3.8 GHz 6-Core Processor ($178.99 @ Amazon)
CPU Cooler: Thermalright Phantom Spirit 120 SE ARGB 66.17 CFM CPU Cooler ($35.90 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: ASRock B650M-HDV/M.2 Micro ATX AM5 Motherboard ($99.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: TEAMGROUP T-Create Expert 32 GB (2 x 16 GB) DDR5-6000 CL30 Memory ($81.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Inland Performance Plus 1 TB M.2-2280 PCIe 4.0 X4 NVME Solid State Drive ($69.98 @ Amazon)
Storage: Inland Performance Plus 2 TB M.2-2280 PCIe 4.0 X4 NVME Solid State Drive ($129.99 @ Amazon)
Video Card: XFX Speedster QICK 319 Core Radeon RX 7800 XT 16 GB Video Card ($369.00 @ Amazon)
Case: Montech AIR 903 MAX ATX Mid Tower Case ($65.88 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: Thermaltake Toughpower GF A3 - TT Premium Edition 850 W 80+ Gold Certified Fully Modular ATX Power Supply ($89.99 @ Best Buy)
Total: $1121.71
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2024-11-27 11:09 EST-0500

Another good option, looking over the CPU/Motherboard now. Thanks!

 

[RAIDGoblin]

You are correct, my son will just be doing games as all their important work in school is online with google docs, so nothing critical to maintain. It will make more sense to go with a single larger capacity SSD and then an external drive for backups. This will be faster than Raid 1 anyway. Thanks.

no problem

That 'speed' would indicate a RAID 0?
If so, that is the very antithesis of "protection against drive failure".

Loss of one drive, or the RAID controller, means all data in the array is lost.

lack of explaining myself correctly, I mean boot speed and software speed from the fact that my system files are all on the m.2, and not on my raid 1, so I don't have to wait for slow drives and raid all of the time

 

[cloudmine111]

A little over $1200, but a solid rig with an upgrade path.

PCPartPicker Part List

CPU: AMD Ryzen 7 7700X 4.5 GHz 8-Core Processor ($259.99 @ Newegg)
CPU Cooler: Thermalright Phantom Spirit 120 SE ARGB 66.17 CFM CPU Cooler ($35.90 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: ASRock B650M-HDV/M.2 Micro ATX AM5 Motherboard ($99.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: TEAMGROUP T-Create Expert 32 GB (2 x 16 GB) DDR5-6000 CL30 Memory ($81.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Inland Performance Plus 1 TB M.2-2280 PCIe 4.0 X4 NVME Solid State Drive ($69.98 @ Amazon)
Storage: Inland Performance Plus 2 TB M.2-2280 PCIe 4.0 X4 NVME Solid State Drive ($129.99 @ Amazon)
Video Card: XFX Speedster QICK 319 Core Radeon RX 7800 XT 16 GB Video Card ($369.00 @ Amazon)
Case: Montech AIR 903 MAX ATX Mid Tower Case ($65.88 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: Thermaltake Toughpower GF A3 - TT Premium Edition 850 W 80+ Gold Certified Fully Modular ATX Power Supply ($89.99 @ Best Buy)
Total: $1202.71
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2024-11-27 11:07 EST-0500

You could go with an R5 7600 to save a bit of money, but I would recommend staying with the 7700x.

PCPartPicker Part List

CPU: AMD Ryzen 5 7600 3.8 GHz 6-Core Processor ($178.99 @ Amazon)
CPU Cooler: Thermalright Phantom Spirit 120 SE ARGB 66.17 CFM CPU Cooler ($35.90 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: ASRock B650M-HDV/M.2 Micro ATX AM5 Motherboard ($99.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: TEAMGROUP T-Create Expert 32 GB (2 x 16 GB) DDR5-6000 CL30 Memory ($81.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Inland Performance Plus 1 TB M.2-2280 PCIe 4.0 X4 NVME Solid State Drive ($69.98 @ Amazon)
Storage: Inland Performance Plus 2 TB M.2-2280 PCIe 4.0 X4 NVME Solid State Drive ($129.99 @ Amazon)
Video Card: XFX Speedster QICK 319 Core Radeon RX 7800 XT 16 GB Video Card ($369.00 @ Amazon)
Case: Montech AIR 903 MAX ATX Mid Tower Case ($65.88 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: Thermaltake Toughpower GF A3 - TT Premium Edition 850 W 80+ Gold Certified Fully Modular ATX Power Supply ($89.99 @ Best Buy)
Total: $1121.71
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2024-11-27 11:09 EST-0500

I do like the 7700 build to reduce down the road costs. Any recommendations for add on Bluetooth / wifi card - looks like this motherboard doesnt have onboard?

 

[logainofhades]

I would choose this one. That board has a lot for the wifi module, and holes in the io shield for the antenna.

https://pcpartpicker.com/product/MMjBD3/intel-ax200-80211abgnacax-m2-e-wi-fi-adapter-ax200ngwgdtk

Or spend a little more and get a better board with it included.

https://pcpartpicker.com/product/CvcgXL/gigabyte-b650-eagle-ax-atx-am5-motherboard-b650-eagle-ax

 

[ohio_buckeye]

One thing about am5 is you’ll be able to drop in a new cpu later. The 7700x while good is already last gen so don’t overthink that too much imo.