Build Advice Potential new PC build.

[keybard22]

I am looking at building a new gaming pc. I already have an EVGA 3050 video card 8gb ddr6.
I am looking at buying a:
-Cooler Master N400 case (NSE-400-KKN2)
-Corsair RM850e (2023) 850 watts PSU
-2 Crucial Pro DDR5 RAM 32GB 600MHz CL36 (CP2K16G60C36U5B Black) for a total of 64 GB RAM
-4 Noctua NF-A12x25 PWM chromax black swap Premium Quite fans 4 pin 120mm
-Noctua NH-D15 chromax back Dual Tower CPU Cooler 140mm
-AMD Ryzen 9 9900x 12 core 24 thread unlocked CPU
-1 Samsung 990 Pro SSD 1TB PCIe 4.0 M.2 2280
-GIGABYTE X870 Gaming X WIFI7 AMD AM5 LGA 1718 Motherboard, ATX, DDR5, 4 M.2 Slots, PCIE 5.0, USB4, 2.5GbE Lan, and Ez-latch
-Alternative motherboard is GIGABYTE X870 Gaming X WIFI6 version with the rest of the features shared with the WIFI7 version

Is this a good setup to purchase? Do you recommend any potentially needed extra cables to also buy?

 

[LordVile]

I am looking at building a new gaming pc. I already have an EVGA 3050 video card 8gb ddr6.
I am looking at buying a:
-Cooler Master N400 case (NSE-400-KKN2)
-Corsair RM850e (2023) 850 watts PSU
-2 Crucial Pro DDR5 RAM 32GB 600MHz CL36 (CP2K16G60C36U5B Black) for a total of 64 GB RAM
-4 Noctua NF-A12x25 PWM chromax black swap Premium Quite fans 4 pin 120mm
-Noctua NH-D15 chromax back Dual Tower CPU Cooler 140mm
-AMD Ryzen 9 9900x 12 core 24 thread unlocked CPU
-1 Samsung 990 Pro SSD 1TB PCIe 4.0 M.2 2280
-GIGABYTE X870 Gaming X WIFI7 AMD AM5 LGA 1718 Motherboard, ATX, DDR5, 4 M.2 Slots, PCIE 5.0, USB4, 2.5GbE Lan, and Ez-latch
-Alternative motherboard is GIGABYTE X870 Gaming X WIFI6 version with the rest of the features shared with the WIFI7 version

Is this a good setup to purchase? Do you recommend any potentially needed extra cables to also buy?

Is that a kit of ram or mix and match?

 

[keybard22]

Is that a kit of ram or mix and match?

The same kind of ram, but I get 2 packs of it. Each pack has 2 16gb ram sticks, therefore one pack is 32gb ram total and buying 2 packs equals 64gb of ram.

 

[Lafong]

I'd try to get 1 pack....containing 2 sticks of 32 each. But not sure 64 total is an advantage in gaming.

Many would point you toward an X3D CPU if you are serious about gaming.

 

[LordVile]

The same kind of ram, but I get 2 packs of it. Each pack has 2 16gb ram sticks, therefore one pack is 32gb ram total and buying 2 packs equals 64gb of ram.

Get one pack. Mix and match isn’t guaranteed to work. Also for gaming you don’t need 64GB of RAM. 32 is more than enough also the CPU is massively overkill for the GPU.

 

[keybard22]

I'd try to get 1 pack....containing 2 sticks of 32 each. But not sure 64 total is an advantage in gaming.

Many would point you toward an X3D CPU if you are serious about gaming.

Get one pack. Mix and match isn’t guaranteed to work. Also for gaming you don’t need 64GB of RAM. 32 is more than enough also the CPU is massively overkill for the GPU.

The ram selected is not mix and match, it is the same kind part number wise and from Crucial. I know that mix and matching ram is asking for trouble so I selected one ram type and supplier/maker only.
As for the CPU selected I selected one that will not cost too much but still is powerful. Also the AMD CPU selected already costs a lot since it has a integrated GPU, as a failsafe, in case of trouble with the Nvidia 3050 GPU I already have, somehow occurring in the future.
Aside from being questioned about the ram and the amount, and the CPU selected, did I select what looks like a stable system if the parts are brought and assembled?

 

[Why_Me]

I am looking at building a new gaming pc. I already have an EVGA 3050 video card 8gb ddr6.
I am looking at buying a:
-Cooler Master N400 case (NSE-400-KKN2)
-Corsair RM850e (2023) 850 watts PSU
-2 Crucial Pro DDR5 RAM 32GB 600MHz CL36 (CP2K16G60C36U5B Black) for a total of 64 GB RAM
-4 Noctua NF-A12x25 PWM chromax black swap Premium Quite fans 4 pin 120mm
-Noctua NH-D15 chromax back Dual Tower CPU Cooler 140mm
-AMD Ryzen 9 9900x 12 core 24 thread unlocked CPU
-1 Samsung 990 Pro SSD 1TB PCIe 4.0 M.2 2280
-GIGABYTE X870 Gaming X WIFI7 AMD AM5 LGA 1718 Motherboard, ATX, DDR5, 4 M.2 Slots, PCIE 5.0, USB4, 2.5GbE Lan, and Ez-latch
-Alternative motherboard is GIGABYTE X870 Gaming X WIFI6 version with the rest of the features shared with the WIFI7 version

Is this a good setup to purchase? Do you recommend any potentially needed extra cables to also buy?

What country are you located and what is your budget?

 

[keybard22]

What country are you located and what is your budget?

USA and I have an upper budget of $1600. The parts I selected were found on amazon.
The Cooler Master N400 is currently 76.99
The Noctua NF-A12x25 fans are 34.95 each and four are 139.8
The Corsair RM850e (2023) is 114
The 2 kits of Crucial Pro DDR5 ram, CP2K16G60C36U5B Black (2 sticks of 16gb ram in each kit, total of 64gb) are 82.99, making it 165.98 for two kits
The Noctua NH-D15 black dual-tower CPU cooler is 119.95
The CPU is Ryzen 9 9900x 12 core, 24 thread unlocked at 409.99 currently, but normal price 499
Samsung 990 Pro SSD 1TB m.2 2280 form factor at 119.95 currently, 159.99 normally
Gigabyte X870 Gaming X WIFI7 AM5 LGA 1718 motherboard at 229.99
All of the listed parts are 1376.65 without tax total on Amazon as of this post.

 

[LordVile]

The ram selected is not mix and match, it is the same kind part number wise and from Crucial. I know that mix and matching ram is asking for trouble so I selected one ram type and supplier/maker only.
As for the CPU selected I selected one that will not cost too much but still is powerful. Also the AMD CPU selected already costs a lot since it has a integrated GPU, as a failsafe, in case of trouble with the Nvidia 3050 GPU I already have, somehow occurring in the future.
Aside from being questioned about the ram and the amount, and the CPU selected, did I select what looks like a stable system if the parts are brought and assembled?

Two different kits is mix and match, they’re only guaranteed to work as a sold kit. Part numbers being the same doesn’t matter. They might work, they might not.

For gaming the 3D chips are faster and you’d get better performance dropping the RAM and CPU and getting a GPU that’s not anaemic.

It’s suboptimal and you’re throwing money away and the RAM as two kits isn’t stable. Just get a 2x16GB and you’ll be more than fine until you’re swapping platforms.

 

[logainofhades]

USA and I have an upper budget of $1600. The parts I selected were found on amazon.
The Cooler Master N400 is currently 76.99
The Noctua NF-A12x25 fans are 34.95 each and four are 139.8
The Corsair RM850e (2023) is 114
The 2 kits of Crucial Pro DDR5 ram, CP2K16G60C36U5B Black (2 sticks of 16gb ram in each kit, total of 64gb) are 82.99, making it 165.98 for two kits
The Noctua NH-D15 black dual-tower CPU cooler is 119.95
The CPU is Ryzen 9 9900x 12 core, 24 thread unlocked at 409.99 currently, but normal price 499
Samsung 990 Pro SSD 1TB m.2 2280 form factor at 119.95 currently, 159.99 normally
Gigabyte X870 Gaming X WIFI7 AM5 LGA 1718 motherboard at 229.99
All of the listed parts are 1376.65 without tax total on Amazon as of this post.

You are wasting a lot of money in this config. 4 sticks of ram do not work well, if at all, right now. Get a 2x32gb kit if you want 64gb. 32gb is enough for a gaming rig though. Also the speed should be DDR5 6000 CL30. That case is old. You can get better ones for similar cost. 12 cores aren't necessary either, unless you are going to stream. Your 3050 will definitely be a weak link in this setup. You have the budget to build a system and have enough left over for a much better GPU. I would do something more like this, and use the 3050 just long enough to buy a much better RTX 5070 or RX 9070, when they come out, with the money saved, plus what is left of your upper budget.

PCPartPicker Part List

CPU: AMD Ryzen 7 9700X 3.8 GHz 8-Core Processor ($316.77 @ Amazon)
CPU Cooler: Thermalright Peerless Assassin 140 77.8 CFM CPU Cooler
Motherboard: Gigabyte X870 AORUS ELITE WIFI7 ATX AM5 Motherboard ($229.99 @ Amazon)
Memory: TEAMGROUP T-Create Expert 32 GB (2 x 16 GB) DDR5-6000 CL30 Memory ($88.99 @ Amazon)
Storage: Inland Performance Plus 2 TB M.2-2280 PCIe 4.0 X4 NVME Solid State Drive ($131.99 @ Amazon)
Case: Montech AIR 903 MAX ATX Mid Tower Case ($74.98 @ Amazon)
Power Supply: Corsair RM850e (2023) 850 W 80+ Gold Certified Fully Modular ATX Power Supply ($114.00 @ Amazon)
Custom: Thermalright Peerless Assassin 140 ($47.90)
Total: $1004.62
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2025-01-22 07:59 EST-0500

 

[keybard22]

Two different kits is mix and match, they’re only guaranteed to work as a sold kit. Part numbers being the same doesn’t matter. They might work, they might not.

For gaming the 3D chips are faster and you’d get better performance dropping the RAM and CPU and getting a GPU that’s not anaemic.

It’s suboptimal and you’re throwing money away and the RAM as two kits isn’t stable. Just get a 2x16GB and you’ll be more than fine until you’re swapping platforms.

I feel that you are not understanding what I am saying. The link is https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0CTHXMYL8/ref=ox_sc_act_title_1?smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER&th=1. I go to the quantity and change the 1 to a 2. By changing the quantity I could order two kits of ram instead of one kit.
As for the CPU I am looking at and your feelings on the Geforce RTX 3050 GPU card I already have, I am trying to assemble a decent PC, not one that goes over a limit I set, and I am not buying new games. I have older ones in my library that will work just fine with the 3050 card.
I am not a hardcore gamer so trying to push buying an expensive new card when the 3050 that I already have waiting to be used in its box unused at all, that is better than the GTX 1650 Super in my current desktop is irritating.

 

[logainofhades]

I feel that you are not understanding what I am saying. The link is https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0CTHXMYL8/ref=ox_sc_act_title_1?smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER&th=1. I go to the quantity and change the 1 to a 2. By changing the quantity I could order two kits of ram instead of one kit.
As for the CPU I am looking at and your feelings on the Geforce RTX 3050 GPU card I already have, I am trying to assemble a decent PC, not one that goes over a limit I set, and I am not buying new games. I have older ones in my library that will work just fine with the 3050 card.
I am not a hardcore gamer so trying to push buying an expensive new card when the 3050 that I already have waiting to be used in its box unused at all, that is better than the GTX 1650 Super in my current desktop is irritating.

You are not understanding the point. It is still 2 separate kits of ram that are not guaranteed to work together. It can have the same part number, yet still have differences on the inside. Regardless 4 sticks of DDR5 and Ryzen, or even Intel, doesn't work well.

If you want 64gb, get this kit.

PCPartPicker Part List

Memory: G.Skill Flare X5 64 GB (2 x 32 GB) DDR5-6000 CL30 Memory ($179.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $179.99
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2025-01-22 08:15 EST-0500

You are really overspending here, if your 3050 is enough to handle the games you are playing, as that card is quite weak. Is it better than a 1650? Yes it is. It is still a pretty terrible card though.

 

[LordVile]

I feel that you are not understanding what I am saying. The link is https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0CTHXMYL8/ref=ox_sc_act_title_1?smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER&th=1. I go to the quantity and change the 1 to a 2. By changing the quantity I could order two kits of ram instead of one kit.
As for the CPU I am looking at and your feelings on the Geforce RTX 3050 GPU card I already have, I am trying to assemble a decent PC, not one that goes over a limit I set, and I am not buying new games. I have older ones in my library that will work just fine with the 3050 card.
I am not a hardcore gamer so trying to push buying an expensive new card when the 3050 that I already have waiting to be used in its box unused at all, that is better than the GTX 1650 Super in my current desktop is irritating.

As otherwise stated just because they’re the same part number doesn’t mean they’re exactly the same. One kit could have Samsung chips the other Micron, the manufacturer doesn’t have to specify. RAM is awkward especially when you go over 2 sticks with DDR5.

Then why are you buying a 9900X, an X series board and 64GB of RAM when a 7600X and 16GB would do the job just fine? The entire build makes no sense for your objective.

 

[keybard22]

You are wasting a lot of money in this config. 4 sticks of ram do not work well, if at all, right now. Get a 2x32gb kit if you want 64gb. 32gb is enough for a gaming rig though. Also the speed should be DDR5 6000 CL30. That case is old. You can get better ones for similar cost. 12 cores aren't necessary either, unless you are going to stream. Your 3050 will definitely be a weak link in this setup. You have the budget to build a system and have enough left over for a much better GPU. I would do something more like this, and use the 3050 just long enough to buy a much better RTX 5070 or RX 9070, when they come out, with the money saved, plus what is left of your upper budget.

PCPartPicker Part List

CPU: AMD Ryzen 7 9700X 3.8 GHz 8-Core Processor ($316.77 @ Amazon)
CPU Cooler: Thermalright Peerless Assassin 140 77.8 CFM CPU Cooler
Motherboard: Gigabyte X870 AORUS ELITE WIFI7 ATX AM5 Motherboard ($229.99 @ Amazon)
Memory: TEAMGROUP T-Create Expert 32 GB (2 x 16 GB) DDR5-6000 CL30 Memory ($88.99 @ Amazon)
Storage: Inland Performance Plus 2 TB M.2-2280 PCIe 4.0 X4 NVME Solid State Drive ($131.99 @ Amazon)
Case: Montech AIR 903 MAX ATX Mid Tower Case ($74.98 @ Amazon)
Power Supply: Corsair RM850e (2023) 850 W 80+ Gold Certified Fully Modular ATX Power Supply ($114.00 @ Amazon)
Custom: Thermalright Peerless Assassin 140 ($47.90)
Total: $1004.62
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2025-01-22 07:59 EST-0500

Would changing the Ryzen 7 9700X to a Ryzen 7 9800X3D boost performance a good deal since the 3D CPUs were suggested before?
Why the Inland m.2 drive instead of the Samsung besides capacity? I never heard of Inland before.
What was wrong the Noctua CPU cooler I selected originally? You did not list any other system fans as well.

 

[logainofhades]

With that 3050, the 9800x3d won't do much for you, unless you are playing some very CPU dependent titles, that can make use of that cache.

Inland is Microcenter's house brand. I have the 1tb version in my AMD rig right now, and it has been great. Also they come with a 6yr warranty.

Noctua is nice, but expensive. Not all those extra fans are needed, as the case already has 3 intake with one exhaust, which is plenty for this system.

 

[keybard22]

I am trying to not get screwed over by an overpriced prebuilt computer and save money by building my own, which I am new at.

 

[MEMOFLEX]

I feel that you are not understanding what I am saying. The link is https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0CTHXMYL8/ref=ox_sc_act_title_1?smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER&th=1. I go to the quantity and change the 1 to a 2. By changing the quantity I could order two kits of ram instead of one kit.
As for the CPU I am looking at and your feelings on the Geforce RTX 3050 GPU card I already have, I am trying to assemble a decent PC, not one that goes over a limit I set, and I am not buying new games. I have older ones in my library that will work just fine with the 3050 card.
I am not a hardcore gamer so trying to push buying an expensive new card when the 3050 that I already have waiting to be used in its box unused at all, that is better than the GTX 1650 Super in my current desktop is irritating.

It feels that you are coming for advice and largely ignoring any advice given.

For ddr5 especially then 4 ram modules is not the best option at all. I doubt you will get the speeds quoted as often the memory controller will not run them at 6000mhz. You will likely have to accept a lower speed. It is just the way it is with ddr5 at present.

In addition to this 2 sets of Memory regardless of buying at the same time with the same model number are not a matched set. If you bought a set that came with 4 x 16gb then that would be considered a matched set as it has been tested to work correctly. This is why the recommendation is to buy a 2 x 32gb set if you HAVE to have 64gb. Again this is overkill for gaming and would only really be recommended for more professional activities eg video rendering.

Regarding the 3050 then nobody is pushing anything but only highlighting that the card will be the limiting factor in your new build. Just trying to temper expectations is all as you will not be getting the most out of your other components. The 3050 is quite a low performing card by modern standards is all but you can try it and it can always be upgraded in the future. Just don't expect miracles with it especially if you are gaming at anything above 1080p as a maximum unless indie games and as you mentioned older titles are the limit.

Following others advice I would also recommend going thr 9700x route rather the 9900x as otherwise it is just spending more money than you need to. A good 8 core will more than be sufficient.

It is likely you could also save some money by getting a b850 board over a x870 as you do not need some of the bells and whistles that come with the higher board.

 

[logainofhades]

I am trying to not get screwed over by an overpriced prebuilt computer and save money by building my own, which I am new at.

Yes, that is a good thing. But you are buying overpriced hardware and trying to pair it with a GPU that doesn't need it to run to its full potential.

You would get more for your $1600 backing off on some of the other components, and buying a far better GPU.

If you do not want a better GPU, save your money and don't buy hardware that will do nothing for you.

 

[keybard22]

With that 3050, the 9800x3d won't do much for you, unless you are playing some very CPU dependent titles, that can make use of that cache.

Inland is Microcenter's house brand. I have the 1tb version in my AMD rig right now, and it has been great. Also they come with a 6yr warranty.

Noctua is nice, but expensive. Not all those extra fans are needed, as the case already has 3 intake with one exhaust, which is plenty for this system.

That is helpful to know and will take your advice on that. Why did you change the pc case though? Was it to reduce number of fans (cost)? What is wrong about desiring a pc case that can hold an optical drive? I have a lot of physical media since digital video can be taken away or edited on streaming platforms.

 

[keybard22]

It feels that you are coming for advice and largely ignoring any advice given.

For ddr5 especially then 4 ram modules is not the best option at all. I doubt you will get the speeds quoted as often the memory controller will not run them at 6000mhz. You will likely have to accept a lower speed. It is just the way it is with ddr5 at present.

In addition to this 2 sets of Memory regardless of buying at the same time with the same model number are not a matched set. If you bought a set that came with 4 x 16gb then that would be considered a matched set as it has been tested to work correctly. This is why the recommendation is to buy a 2 x 32gb set if you HAVE to have 64gb. Again this is overkill for gaming and would only really be recommended for more professional activities eg video rendering.

Regarding the 3050 then nobody is pushing anything but only highlighting that the card will be the limiting factor in your new build. Just trying to temper expectations is all as you will not be getting the most out of your other components. The 3050 is quite a low performing card by modern standards is all but you can try it and it can always be upgraded in the future. Just don't expect miracles with it especially if you are gaming at anything above 1080p as a maximum unless indie games and as you mentioned older titles are the limit.

Following others advice I would also recommend going thr 9700x route rather the 9900x as otherwise it is just spending more money than you need to. A good 8 core will more than be sufficient.

It is likely you could also save some money by getting a b850 board over a x870 as you do not need some of the bells and whistles that come with the higher board.

I am listening, the detailed explanation you gave is what I wanted. Short answers to get this instead of that is what is creating the impression I am ignoring advice given. Detailed explanations so I can learn is what is needed.
I also do not use forums much, communicating via text is difficult for me.

 

[MEMOFLEX]

I am listening, the detailed explanation you gave is what I wanted. Short answers to get this instead of that is what is creating the impression I am ignoring advice given. Detailed explanations so I can learn is what is needed.

That's OK bud. People are here to help is all. Just want to ensure that you get the best balanced system for the your money as a new PC is an expensive investment and the last thing you want is to spoil the enjoyment by potentially buying the wrong parts or spending money that you don't need to.

I have done it when I first got into PCs back in the day and there are loads of others who have done the same.

 

[keybard22]

Yes, that is a good thing. But you are buying overpriced hardware and trying to pair it with a GPU that doesn't need it to run to its full potential.

You would get more for your $1600 backing off on some of the other components, and buying a far better GPU.

If you do not want a better GPU, save your money and don't buy hardware that will do nothing for you.

Ok would a Gigabyte Radeon RX 7600 XT OC 16G (GV-R76XTGAMING OC-16GD) video card qualify as a significant GPU improvement for its cost of 314.99 at Amazon?
Sorry included a post of mine by accident and deleted the text.

 

[logainofhades]

That is helpful to know and will take your advice on that. Why did you change the pc case though? Was it to reduce number of fans (cost)? What is wrong about desiring a pc case that can hold an optical drive? I have a lot of physical media since digital video can be taken away or edited on streaming platforms.

Better airflow, and cost reduction as it already has needed fans. If you need an optical drive, then I would choose this case instead, or just get a USB external drive.

https://pcpartpicker.com/product/QnD7YJ/fractal-design-pop-air-atx-mid-tower-case-fd-c-poa1a-02

 

[logainofhades]

Ok would a Gigabyte Radeon RX 7600 XT OC 16G (GV-R76XTGAMING OC-16GD) video card qualify as a significant GPU improvement for its cost of 314.99 at Amazon?

With your $1600 max limit, my earlier recommendation still stands. Hold onto your money, use the 3050 for awhile, and then swap it to a 5070 or 9070, after those come out.

To answer your question, though, yes it is much better than a 3050.

 

[keybard22]

With your $1600 max limit, my earlier recommendation still stands. Hold onto your money, use the 3050 for awhile, and then swap it to a 5070 or 9070, after those come out.

To answer your question, though, yes it is much better than a 3050.

Thank you and the comparisons to other GPUs is also quite helpful as well for the future.