Build Advice PC for Monster Hunter Wilds - first time building a PC

Mar 21, 2025
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Hello all! This is my first time building a custom PC. I have never done so before and in fact have never owned a PC for gaming. My overall goal is to build a custom PC that can run Monster Hunter Wilds well. I have many questions and would love some advice as I have zero experience doing this and am having to piece everything together through tutorials and forum posts. Please see the link below for a starting build that I have put together from tutorials and part recommendation lists. I am as new to this forum as I am to building PCs so please be patient with me and do not hesitate to point out any issues you see with my build!

https://pcpartpicker.com/list/qjY4Jn

Approximate Purchase Date: As soon as I have settled on a build and can purchase all of the parts, within the next month or two.

Budget Range: Less than $1600 for everything (not including monitor, keyboard, mouse, etc). I may be willing to push a hair above that if it's worth the extra cost.

System Usage: Gaming, watching videos. I have no intent to stream or edit videos.

Are you buying a monitor: Yes but I would like to settle on the PC build first as I consider that to be more important unless it is something I must consider together.

Parts to Upgrade: All brand new, from the starting build I have put together, is there anything I should upgrade to reach a much better performance without increasing my cost by too much?

Do you need to buy OS: Yes, I will most likely use Windows 11.

Preferred Website(s) for Parts: Any accessible and trusted for the USA.

Location: USA

Parts Preferences: I am leaning towards AMD GPU because it seems like I can get a better bang for my buck. I have also seen lots of people say that Monster Hunter is geared toward AMD GPU settings but I have no idea if that is true or not. I would prefer parts that are not complicated or difficult to install as I have never done any of this before. I would also prefer a MOBO that can already run WIFI and Bluetooth so I have a few less things to keep track of.

Overclocking: No

Multiple GPUs: No

Your Monitor Resolution: As stated above, I have not settled on a monitor yet but if it's important to know this before deciding on parts please let me know and I will try to figure this out as well. I do not currently have a Monitor.

Additional Comments: I specifically am unsure of my current selection of CPU and GPU. How well they will work together. If I could get a better version for a similar pricepoint etc. From what I can tell they should both be more than capable of running Monster Hunter Wilds but I do not have any basis for this and don't really know how powerful these parts are. Should I switch to a NVDA GPU like a 4070? Is there a different AMD model? I am also not totally sure what the differences are between various brands selling the GPU and the price points vary significantly. I picked one that was lower cost but still had good reviews. Any advice on this topic would mean a lot to me. Another point I would like guidance on is my budget allocation. Am I spending too much or too little on anything in particular? Would it be worth upgrading any part to see significant performance increases compared to the cost increase? I do not mind spending a little bit more to get some better results but I cannot afford to get too out of hand. I am far less concerned with the aesthetics than I am with the performance so I don't mind getting a PC that's a little ugly if it means running very better.

And Most Importantly, Why Are You Upgrading (building): Running Monster Hunter Wilds well and getting more involved in this type of gaming. I would like to both learn more about building PCs and also get a decent one that can play MHW and last me at least a couple of good years of gaming. Overall, I would love something that is somewhat affordable and could run MHW without having to hammer all of the settings just to make it playable. This is why I am trying to shoot for a little above the minimum requirements.
 
PCPartPicker Part List

CPU: AMD Ryzen 5 9600X 3.9 GHz 6-Core Processor ($228.99 @ Amazon)
CPU Cooler: ENDORFY Fortis 5 CPU Cooler ($39.90 @ ModMyMods)
Motherboard: MSI B850 GAMING PLUS WIFI ATX AM5 Motherboard ($199.99 @ Amazon)
Memory: Patriot Viper Venom 32 GB (2 x 16 GB) DDR5-6000 CL30 Memory ($79.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Western Digital Black SN770 2 TB M.2-2280 PCIe 4.0 X4 NVME Solid State Drive ($119.68 @ Amazon)
Video Card: Asus PRIME OC GeForce RTX 5070 12 GB Video Card ($712.98 @ Newegg)
Case: Phanteks XT PRO ATX Mid Tower Case ($74.98 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: ADATA XPG Core Reactor II 850 W 80+ Gold Certified Fully Modular ATX Power Supply ($119.99 @ Amazon)
Total: $1576.50
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2025-03-22 04:27 EDT-0400


monster hunter wilds is one of those games that can utilize many cores/threads
but as long as you have a fast 6c/12t cpu you will be fine .
this cpu also has very fast single core performance and it is a great gaming cpu all around
you can also upgrade any time you want in the future .
graphics card is not ideal but it is what it is , unfortunately
the current gpu market is a desolate wasteland .


if you can spare an extra 100 bucks this would be a better option:
radeon-rx-9070-16-gb-video-card-gv-r9070gaming-oc
 
Last edited:
Your list is reasonable.
Some thoughts:

1) Verify that your ram kit is explicitly supported on the motherboard ram QVL list or on the ram vendor supported list for your cpu/mobo combo.
If there is one constant issue I see with ryzen , it is in the area of ram compatibility.

2) Your processor does not need 360 sized aio cooling. A good twin tower air cooler will do the job.
It will run quieter. AIO coolers do not last forever. In time, the pump fails or get clogged. Air will permeate the tubes and the unit will need to be replaced.
Consider an aio as a 5 year rental.

3) Your $418 price for a psu must be wrong.
Consider a 850W psu. The marginal cost over 750w is usually small.
You may want a gpu upgrade in the future.
A gpu can have power demand spikes greatly exceeding the nominal draw.
Buy only a quality psu. Look for a good warranty.
This Seasonic Prime GX 850w unit has a 12 year warranty:
https://www.newegg.com/seasonic-pri...tified/p/N82E16817151215?Item=N82E16817151215

4) As a first time builder, here is

MY build process:

Before anything, while waiting for your parts to be delivered, download
and read, cover to cover your case and motherboard manual.
Buy a long #2 magnetic tip philips screwdriver.
A small led flashlight is also useful.

I find it handy to buy a power switch like this for testing.
https://www.newegg.com/p/N82E168121..._switch-_-12-119-009-_-Product&quicklink=true
1. I assemble the critical parts outside of the case.
That lets me test them for functionality easily.
A wood table or cardboard is fine.
2. Plug in only the necessary parts at first. Ram, cpu, cooler, psu.
Do not force anything. Parts fit only one way.
Attach a monitor to the integrated motherboard adapter if you have one, otherwise to the graphics card.
3. If your motherboard does not have a PWR button, momentarily touch the two pwr front panel pins with a flat blade screwdriver.
4. Repeatedly hit F2 or DEL, and that should get you into the bios display.
5. Boot from a cd or usb stick with memtest86 on it. memtest will exercise your ram and cpu functionality.
They boot from a usb stick and do not use windows.
You can download them here:
If you can run a full pass with NO errors, your ram should be ok.

Running several more passes will sometimes uncover an issue, but it takes more time.

Probably not worth it unless you really suspect a ram issue.
Opinions vary on updating the bios.
Normally, one does not update a bios unless there is a fix for something that is impacting you. I violate this rule on a new build and will update to currency up front.
Use the usb option, not the windows option.
If there is a severe problem, the impact is small.


6. Install windows.
7. Install the motherboard cd drivers. Particularly the lan drivers so you can access the internet.
Do not select the easy install option, or you will get a bunch of utilities and trialware that you don't want. Drivers only.
7. Connect to the internet and install an antivirus program. Microsoft defender is free, easy, and unobtrusive.
8. Install your graphics card and driver if you tested with integrated graphics.
You will need to remove the graphics card later to install your motherboard in the case.
As a tip when screwing the motherboard into the posts, give the screw a small counterclockwise turn until you feel a click.
That lets you know that the screw will engage properly.
Make a note of how the graphics card latches into the pcie slot.
The mechanism will be hidden under the card and may be difficult to work if you have not previously checked how.
9. Update windows to currency.
10. Only now do I take apart what I need to and install it in the case.
11. Now is the time to reinstall your graphics card.


 
PCPartPicker Part List

CPU: AMD Ryzen 5 9600X 3.9 GHz 6-Core Processor ($228.99 @ Amazon)
CPU Cooler: ENDORFY Fortis 5 CPU Cooler ($39.90 @ ModMyMods)
Motherboard: MSI B850 GAMING PLUS WIFI ATX AM5 Motherboard ($199.99 @ Amazon)
Memory: Patriot Viper Venom 32 GB (2 x 16 GB) DDR5-6000 CL30 Memory ($79.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Western Digital Black SN770 2 TB M.2-2280 PCIe 4.0 X4 NVME Solid State Drive ($119.68 @ Amazon)
Video Card: Asus PRIME OC GeForce RTX 5070 12 GB Video Card ($712.98 @ Newegg)
Case: Phanteks XT PRO ATX Mid Tower Case ($74.98 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: ADATA XPG Core Reactor II 850 W 80+ Gold Certified Fully Modular ATX Power Supply ($119.99 @ Amazon)
Total: $1576.50
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2025-03-22 04:27 EDT-0400


monster hunter wilds is one of those games that can utilize many cores/threads
but as long as you have a fast 6c/12t cpu you will be fine .
this cpu also has very fast single core performance and it is a great gaming cpu all around
you can also upgrade any time you want in the future .
graphics card is not ideal but it is what it is , unfortunately
the current gpu market is a desolate wasteland .


if you can spare an extra 100 bucks this would be a better option:
radeon-rx-9070-16-gb-video-card-gv-r9070gaming-oc

PCPartPicker Part List

CPU: AMD Ryzen 5 9600X 3.9 GHz 6-Core Processor ($228.99 @ Amazon)
CPU Cooler: ENDORFY Fortis 5 CPU Cooler ($39.90 @ ModMyMods)
Motherboard: MSI B850 GAMING PLUS WIFI ATX AM5 Motherboard ($199.99 @ Amazon)
Memory: Patriot Viper Venom 32 GB (2 x 16 GB) DDR5-6000 CL30 Memory ($79.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Western Digital Black SN770 2 TB M.2-2280 PCIe 4.0 X4 NVME Solid State Drive ($119.68 @ Amazon)
Video Card: Asus PRIME OC GeForce RTX 5070 12 GB Video Card ($712.98 @ Newegg)
Case: Phanteks XT PRO ATX Mid Tower Case ($74.98 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: ADATA XPG Core Reactor II 850 W 80+ Gold Certified Fully Modular ATX Power Supply ($119.99 @ Amazon)
Total: $1576.50
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2025-03-22 04:27 EDT-0400


monster hunter wilds is one of those games that can utilize many cores/threads
but as long as you have a fast 6c/12t cpu you will be fine .
this cpu also has very fast single core performance and it is a great gaming cpu all around
you can also upgrade any time you want in the future .
graphics card is not ideal but it is what it is , unfortunately
the current gpu market is a desolate wasteland .


if you can spare an extra 100 bucks this would be a better option:
radeon-rx-9070-16-gb-video-card-gv-r9070gaming-oc
Can I ask, is the CPU you recommended a higher quality but an older version? That would be better than a lower quality newer version? Also, are air cooler's better or worse than liquid coolers? I thought liquid coolers would be better and easier to install but maybe I was mistaken? Are air coolers better for their cost?
 
This would be the build in a perfect world:

PCPartPicker Part List

CPU: AMD Ryzen 7 9700X 3.8 GHz 8-Core Processor ($289.00 @ Amazon)
CPU Cooler: Thermalright Phantom Spirit 120 SE 66.17 CFM CPU Cooler ($35.90 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: Gigabyte B850 EAGLE WIFI6E ATX AM5 Motherboard ($169.99 @ Amazon)
Memory: Patriot Viper Venom 32 GB (2 x 16 GB) DDR5-6000 CL30 Memory ($79.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Crucial T500 W/Heatsink 2 TB M.2-2280 PCIe 4.0 X4 NVME Solid State Drive ($132.99 @ Amazon)
Video Card: Sapphire PULSE Radeon RX 9070 XT 16 GB Video Card ($599.99)
Case: NZXT H5 Flow (2024) ATX Mid Tower Case ($79.98 @ Amazon)
Power Supply: Enermax Revolution D.F. 12 850 W 80+ Gold Certified Fully Modular ATX Power Supply ($119.79 @ Amazon)
Total: $1507.63
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2025-03-22 15:00 EDT-0400


Unfortunately graphics cards are insane right now... The MSRP of the card I linked is 600 dollars. I would never pay over 500 for a 7800 XT or over 550 for a 5070 especially when the 9070 and 9070 XT are much faster.
 
Can I ask, is the CPU you recommended a higher quality but an older version?
No , 9600x is a newer generation of cpu for AM5 socket ,
it has less cores and threads compared to 7700x (6c/12t vs 8c/16t)
but it is also slightly faster in single core performance
and thanks to this it will perform marginally better in almost every game .

Also, are air cooler's better or worse than liquid coolers? I thought liquid coolers would be better and easier to install but maybe I was mistaken? Are air coolers better for their cost?
air coolers are more cost effective , and they have potentially better longevity and
more fail safe operation once installed .
 
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Can I ask, is the CPU you recommended a higher quality but an older version? That would be better than a lower quality newer version? Also, are air cooler's better or worse than liquid coolers? I thought liquid coolers would be better and easier to install but maybe I was mistaken? Are air coolers better for their cost?
AIO is still really air cooling. The difference is where the heat exchange takes place. In general, a twin tower 135mm air cooler has about the same cooling capacity as a 280 aio.
AIO is a bit more difficult to install. Mainly because you need to find a location for the radiator that still lets the motherboard and gpu get cooling airflow.
Some aio coolers require software to manage the speed of the pumps in concert with the radiator fans.
The thermalright peerless assassin is a very good air cooler that is reasonably priced:
https://www.newegg.com/p/13C-000Y-000J2
The Noctua NH-D15s costs twice as much. What do you get for the difference?? Mainly quieter operation with superior quality 140mm vans that spin slower and are quiet.
https://www.newegg.com/p/13C-000Y-000J2
 
Thank you all for the advice and help! I have adjusted some of the parts based on all of your recommendations. Below is my new list. It seems like I picked possibly the worst time to go looking for a graphics card (RIP). Would it be better to hold off a bit longer or will prices just continue to get worse? I obviously know that no one actually can predict what will happen to the prices but in general is it bad enough right now that it's just not worth it to pay the markups for these parts? I will try to go to physical stores near me to hopefully find some better deals however I just do not have very many stores with PC parts to choose from and I would expect they are marking up their products as well.

I am now a bit over budget but it is pretty much caused by the GPU scalping. After reading feedback and looking at some videos it seems like the RX 9070 might fit my needs a little bit better and be slightly more "future-proofed" but I am still open to changing this opinion if I am missing something. If there are any suggestions for how I could get this cost down other than waiting (and hoping) for GPU prices to drop or getting lucky and finding one somewhere that isn't jacked up I would love to hear about it.

PCPartPicker Part List

CPU: AMD Ryzen 7 9700X 3.8 GHz 8-Core Processor ($289.00 @ Amazon)
CPU Cooler: Thermalright Phantom Spirit 120 SE ARGB 66.17 CFM CPU Cooler ($37.90 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: Gigabyte B850 EAGLE WIFI6E ATX AM5 Motherboard ($169.99 @ Amazon)
Memory: Corsair Vengeance 32 GB (2 x 16 GB) DDR5-6000 CL30 Memory ($104.99 @ Amazon)
Storage: Silicon Power UD90 2 TB M.2-2280 PCIe 4.0 X4 NVME Solid State Drive ($92.97 @ B&H)
Video Card: Gigabyte GAMING OC Radeon RX 9070 16 GB Video Card ($827.94 @ Amazon)
Case: Montech AIR 903 MAX ATX Mid Tower Case ($89.90 @ Amazon)
Power Supply: ADATA XPG Core Reactor II 850 W 80+ Gold Certified Fully Modular ATX Power Supply ($119.99 @ Amazon)
Total: $1732.68
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2025-03-22 17:31 EDT-0400