Just starting to contemplate a new build for under $2,000. I'm using Tom's Gaming $2,000 as a starting point. I'm an old gamer and I've built many PCs, but I don't keep up with the technology until just before buying a new PC. I've looked through Tom's guide. This will be my first liquid cooling build. What I most want to know is if there is any hardware bottlenecking the build or I can get better bang for my buck by putting a little more money in. Anyway, using Tom's guide as a base, here are some of my own guidelines and preferences...
** Edit: Please change Tom's build (my listed build) to be designed around an Nvidia GPU instead of AMD.
• I don't overclock and I don't upgrade. I use quality components to build PCs that last longer than I need them after which I usually pass them down to a family member.
• I'm old(er) and am willing to pay a little more if it can be justified, although bang-for-buck is my guiding principle.
• I prefer a quieter case and am open to paying more for components to get there. Case, fans, PSU, etc.
• I'm not the gamer I used to be, but I would be very interested in comfortably playing next generation games like the next Skyrim (Elder Scrolls 6), GTA 6, etc. I know, these titles aren't even likely to come out in 2025, but for those who follow the tech they are likely to use, please apply your knowlege and advice!
• I'd really like to play around with Stable Diffusion. I see Tom's recommending the RX 7900 for this price range which comes in with 20GB vram. Vram seems to be the selling point for Stable Diffusion, and 20GB seems like plenty. However, Stable Diffusion is inherently built around Nvidia, so I need an Nvida GPU, not AMD.
• I don't care about pretty lights or fancy looks. The case will be enclosed on three sides in a desk with a cupboard door in front for access. If the Y40 case can be swapped out for something better (quieter, better cooling, etc) in exchange for a more boring looking case, I'm fine with that. The Y40 had some mixed reviews from what I've seen so in particular I'm looking for other case suggestions.
Other than that, I'm just getting started in this process so I apologize ahead of time if I'm a bit wishy washy in what I want and what's out there. Usually takes me a little while to get back into the right mind set.
That said, I'm open to any of your suggestions. Toms Hardware forum has always been outstanding. I have much respect for you guys & gals!
** Edit: Warned you I was new coming into this, so a few added questions.
• As mentioned, I'm new to liquid cooling. Am I also going to need a radiator? Does that come with the cooler or is that something else I should buy and/or make room for in my case?
• I really do want the highest speeds for USB. Isn't 3.2 the new standard? I see some cases don't support it, but I want some top ports to have that feature.
Generally, I would appreciate those helping me to give a little technical support for why they are swapping out components from Tom's build. You know how it is... some folks here know a lot and others less. With Tom's recommendation, I know it's been vetted. If you can explain a little why you know better than Tom, please justify. That said, I'm certainly not opposed to swapping out componets as you tailor to my preferences.
Oh, and can someone tell me how to list out the PC Parts Picker components on my OP? Everyone else seems to know how to do this but me. lol.
Tom's $2,000 Build
https://www.tomshardware.com/best-picks/best-pc-builds-gaming
PC Parts Picker
https://pcpartpicker.com/user/pshopper/saved/#view=GQ9GjX
** Edit: Please change Tom's build (my listed build) to be designed around an Nvidia GPU instead of AMD.
• I don't overclock and I don't upgrade. I use quality components to build PCs that last longer than I need them after which I usually pass them down to a family member.
• I'm old(er) and am willing to pay a little more if it can be justified, although bang-for-buck is my guiding principle.
• I prefer a quieter case and am open to paying more for components to get there. Case, fans, PSU, etc.
• I'm not the gamer I used to be, but I would be very interested in comfortably playing next generation games like the next Skyrim (Elder Scrolls 6), GTA 6, etc. I know, these titles aren't even likely to come out in 2025, but for those who follow the tech they are likely to use, please apply your knowlege and advice!
• I'd really like to play around with Stable Diffusion. I see Tom's recommending the RX 7900 for this price range which comes in with 20GB vram. Vram seems to be the selling point for Stable Diffusion, and 20GB seems like plenty. However, Stable Diffusion is inherently built around Nvidia, so I need an Nvida GPU, not AMD.
• I don't care about pretty lights or fancy looks. The case will be enclosed on three sides in a desk with a cupboard door in front for access. If the Y40 case can be swapped out for something better (quieter, better cooling, etc) in exchange for a more boring looking case, I'm fine with that. The Y40 had some mixed reviews from what I've seen so in particular I'm looking for other case suggestions.
Other than that, I'm just getting started in this process so I apologize ahead of time if I'm a bit wishy washy in what I want and what's out there. Usually takes me a little while to get back into the right mind set.
That said, I'm open to any of your suggestions. Toms Hardware forum has always been outstanding. I have much respect for you guys & gals!
** Edit: Warned you I was new coming into this, so a few added questions.
• As mentioned, I'm new to liquid cooling. Am I also going to need a radiator? Does that come with the cooler or is that something else I should buy and/or make room for in my case?
• I really do want the highest speeds for USB. Isn't 3.2 the new standard? I see some cases don't support it, but I want some top ports to have that feature.
Generally, I would appreciate those helping me to give a little technical support for why they are swapping out components from Tom's build. You know how it is... some folks here know a lot and others less. With Tom's recommendation, I know it's been vetted. If you can explain a little why you know better than Tom, please justify. That said, I'm certainly not opposed to swapping out componets as you tailor to my preferences.
Oh, and can someone tell me how to list out the PC Parts Picker components on my OP? Everyone else seems to know how to do this but me. lol.
Tom's $2,000 Build
https://www.tomshardware.com/best-picks/best-pc-builds-gaming
PC Parts Picker
https://pcpartpicker.com/user/pshopper/saved/#view=GQ9GjX
Last edited:
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