Build Advice Thoughts on this gaming build, specifically the CPU & GPU ?

[Jawzzzzz]

Hello there. I'm looking to build a gaming PC for my friend. He mainly plays Apex Legends and wants to be able to run that game smoothly on decent settings. I put this build together, would like some thoughts.
The graphics card, I was originally thinking a 3060 but i'm not sure if it's worth jumping to a 4070 instead. It's almost double the price.
The CPU I'm wondering if it's better to go something a bit higher. He's on a tight budget so every little bit counts.

Thanks for any input

https://ca.pcpartpicker.com/list/w4ZM2x

Approximate Purchase Date: buying one part at a time over the next 3 months

Budget Range: $2300 CAD

System Usage from Most to Least Important: Gaming (Apex Legends) and multitasking. No video editing at all.

Are you buying a monitor: No



Parts to Upgrade: CPU, MOBO, RAM, GPU, Cooler, Fans, PSU, Tower, Storage

Do you need to buy OS: No
Please note that if you're using an OEM license of Windows, you will need a new one when buying a new motherboard.

Preferred Website(s) for Parts: Any Canadian website

Location: Toronto, Ontario

Parts Preferences: AMD CPU, Nvidia GPU

Overclocking: No overclocking

Multiple GPUs: No

Your Monitor Resolution: Using a 49" Samsung Odyssey Ultra Wide 5120 x 1440 resolution.

 

[Lutfij]

I would remove the additional fans from the build's listing. I'd add a second SSD that's smaller in capacity for the OS, app's and launchers. The larger SSD can be your game library drive.

You're advised to stylize your thread with info asked of in this thread;

*How to Ask for New Build or Upgrade Advice*

How to Ask for New Build or Upgrade Advice First off, respect where respect is due - this is an adaptation of the Animal's *How To Ask For New Build Advice* Sticky. I created this because there's a lot of posts nowadays asking for upgrade advice both on here and on the CPU forums, and I feel...

forums.tomshardware.com

but I took the liberty of the extension in your PCPartPicker link to identify you're located in Canada and your budget was just a little more than 2,000 CND.

Give this a whirl;
PCPartPicker Part List

CPU: AMD Ryzen 5 7600 3.8 GHz 6-Core Processor ($268.98 @ Amazon Canada)
CPU Cooler: be quiet! Dark Rock Pro 5 CPU Cooler ($134.99 @ Newegg Canada)
Motherboard: MSI MAG B850 TOMAHAWK MAX WIFI ATX AM5 Motherboard ($319.98 @ Best Buy Canada)
Memory: G.Skill Trident Z5 Neo 32 GB (2 x 16 GB) DDR5-6000 CL30 Memory ($162.99 @ Memory Express)
Storage: Crucial P3 Plus 500 GB M.2-2280 PCIe 4.0 X4 NVME Solid State Drive ($54.39 @ Vuugo)
Storage: Crucial P3 Plus 2 TB M.2-2280 PCIe 4.0 X4 NVME Solid State Drive ($158.96 @ shopRBC)
Video Card: MSI VENTUS 2X OC GeForce RTX 4070 12 GB Video Card ($904.96 @ shopRBC)
Case: Lian Li Lancool 207 ATX Mid Tower Case ($119.99 @ Canada Computers)
Power Supply: MSI MAG A750GL PCIE5 750 W 80+ Gold Certified Fully Modular ATX Power Supply ($129.99 @ Amazon Canada)
Total: $2255.23
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2025-04-09 22:36 EDT-0400
AM5 instead of AM4but this time with 2x SSD's. Kept the GPU, case and cooler from your prior listing.

 

[Why_Me]

Hello there. I'm looking to build a gaming PC for my friend. He mainly plays Apex Legends and wants to be able to run that game smoothly on decent settings. I put this build together, would like some thoughts.
The graphics card, I was originally thinking a 3060 but i'm not sure if it's worth jumping to a 4070 instead. It's almost double the price.
The CPU I'm wondering if it's better to go something a bit higher. He's on a tight budget so every little bit counts.

Thanks for any input

https://ca.pcpartpicker.com/list/w4ZM2x

PCPartPicker Part List

CPU: *AMD Ryzen 5 5600 3.5 GHz 6-Core Processor ($167.86 @ Vuugo)
CPU Cooler: *Thermalright Assassin X Refined SE ARGB CPU Cooler ($23.90 @ Amazon Canada)
Motherboard: *Gigabyte B550 EAGLE WIFI6 ATX AM4 Motherboard ($179.99 @ Canada Computers)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws V 32 GB (2 x 16 GB) DDR4-3600 CL18 Memory ($64.99 @ Memory Express)
Storage: *Silicon Power UD90 2 TB M.2-2280 PCIe 4.0 X4 NVME Solid State Drive ($143.99 @ Amazon Canada)
Video Card: MSI VENTUS 2X OC GeForce RTX 4070 12 GB Video Card ($904.96 @ shopRBC)
Case: *Montech AIR 903 MAX ATX Mid Tower Case ($109.95 @ Vuugo)
Power Supply: *MSI MAG A750GL PCIE5 750 W 80+ Gold Certified Fully Modular ATX Power Supply ($129.99 @ Amazon Canada)
Total: $1725.63
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
*Lowest price parts chosen from parametric criteria
Generated by PCPartPicker 2025-04-09 23:51 EDT-0400

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

https://www.gigabyte.com/Motherboard/B550-EAGLE-WIFI6#kf

https://www.msi.com/Power-Supply/MAG-A750BN-PCIE5

https://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/silicon-power-ud90-ssd-review

https://www.montechpc.com/air-903-max

https://www.tomshardware.com/pc-components/pc-cases/montech-air-903-max-case-review

 

[Jawzzzzz]

I would remove the additional fans from the build's listing. I'd add a second SSD that's smaller in capacity for the OS, app's and launchers. The larger SSD can be your game library drive.

You're advised to stylize your thread with info asked of in this thread;

*How to Ask for New Build or Upgrade Advice*

How to Ask for New Build or Upgrade Advice First off, respect where respect is due - this is an adaptation of the Animal's *How To Ask For New Build Advice* Sticky. I created this because there's a lot of posts nowadays asking for upgrade advice both on here and on the CPU forums, and I feel...

forums.tomshardware.com

but I took the liberty of the extension in your PCPartPicker link to identify you're located in Canada and your budget was just a little more than 2,000 CND.

Give this a whirl;
PCPartPicker Part List

CPU: AMD Ryzen 5 7600 3.8 GHz 6-Core Processor ($268.98 @ Amazon Canada)
CPU Cooler: be quiet! Dark Rock Pro 5 CPU Cooler ($134.99 @ Newegg Canada)
Motherboard: MSI MAG B850 TOMAHAWK MAX WIFI ATX AM5 Motherboard ($319.98 @ Best Buy Canada)
Memory: G.Skill Trident Z5 Neo 32 GB (2 x 16 GB) DDR5-6000 CL30 Memory ($162.99 @ Memory Express)
Storage: Crucial P3 Plus 500 GB M.2-2280 PCIe 4.0 X4 NVME Solid State Drive ($54.39 @ Vuugo)
Storage: Crucial P3 Plus 2 TB M.2-2280 PCIe 4.0 X4 NVME Solid State Drive ($158.96 @ shopRBC)
Video Card: MSI VENTUS 2X OC GeForce RTX 4070 12 GB Video Card ($904.96 @ shopRBC)
Case: Lian Li Lancool 207 ATX Mid Tower Case ($119.99 @ Canada Computers)
Power Supply: MSI MAG A750GL PCIE5 750 W 80+ Gold Certified Fully Modular ATX Power Supply ($129.99 @ Amazon Canada)
Total: $2255.23
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2025-04-09 22:36 EDT-0400
AM5 instead of AM4but this time with 2x SSD's. Kept the GPU, case and cooler from your prior listing.

So sorry! I should have known better. I updated my post to match that style.
I see you put the Ryzen 5 7600. Is that overall still better than a Ryzen 7 5800X?
Is there something wrong with going with a X570 mobo? I see you recommended a B850? I'm not sure the major differences.
What do you think of the GPU? that MSI 4070 seems to be the best I can find around the price range. Is there anything better I should consider around that price?
Thank you so much for this, it really helps!

 

[Jawzzzzz]

PCPartPicker Part List

CPU: *AMD Ryzen 5 5600 3.5 GHz 6-Core Processor ($167.86 @ Vuugo)
CPU Cooler: *Thermalright Assassin X Refined SE ARGB CPU Cooler ($23.90 @ Amazon Canada)
Motherboard: *Gigabyte B550 EAGLE WIFI6 ATX AM4 Motherboard ($179.99 @ Canada Computers)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws V 32 GB (2 x 16 GB) DDR4-3600 CL18 Memory ($64.99 @ Memory Express)
Storage: *Silicon Power UD90 2 TB M.2-2280 PCIe 4.0 X4 NVME Solid State Drive ($143.99 @ Amazon Canada)
Video Card: MSI VENTUS 2X OC GeForce RTX 4070 12 GB Video Card ($904.96 @ shopRBC)
Case: *Montech AIR 903 MAX ATX Mid Tower Case ($109.95 @ Vuugo)
Power Supply: *MSI MAG A750BN PCIE5 750 W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply ($79.99 @ Memory Express)
Total: $1675.63
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
*Lowest price parts chosen from parametric criteria
Generated by PCPartPicker 2025-04-09 23:19 EDT-0400

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

https://www.gigabyte.com/Motherboard/B550-EAGLE-WIFI6#kf

https://www.msi.com/Power-Supply/MAG-A750BN-PCIE5

https://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/silicon-power-ud90-ssd-review

https://www.montechpc.com/air-903-max

https://www.tomshardware.com/pc-components/pc-cases/montech-air-903-max-case-review

Thank you for this!
Do you think the X570 mobo I chose is too much for the build? Is that why you suggested the B550?
What do you think in terms of the MSI 4070?

 

[Why_Me]

Thank you for this!
Do you think the X570 mobo I chose is too much for the build? Is that why you suggested the B550?
What do you think in terms of the MSI 4070?

The B550 is a newer chipset vs the X570 and doesn't have the obnoxious fan that the X570 boards include. Before I can give advice on the gpu I need to know what resolution your friend games at.

 

[artk2219]

Something like this would work, I definitely recommend you check out amd's RX 9000 series. Also you can look for an RTX 5000 series card as well with the budget that you have to work with.

https://www.techpowerup.com/review/sapphire-radeon-rx-9070-xt-pulse/34.html

PCPartPicker Part List

CPU: AMD Ryzen 5 7600 3.8 GHz 6-Core Processor ($268.98 @ Amazon Canada)
CPU Cooler: Thermalright Burst Assassin 120 SE ARGB 66.17 CFM CPU Cooler ($32.39 @ Amazon Canada)
Motherboard: Asus TUF GAMING B650-PLUS WIFI ATX AM5 Motherboard ($190.98 @ Amazon Canada)
Memory: Corsair Vengeance 32 GB (2 x 16 GB) DDR5-6000 CL36 Memory ($109.99 @ Amazon Canada)
Storage: Crucial P3 Plus 2 TB M.2-2280 PCIe 4.0 X4 NVME Solid State Drive ($158.96 @ shopRBC)
Video Card: ASRock Steel Legend Radeon RX 9070 XT 16 GB Video Card ($1019.99 @ Memory Express)
Case: Montech AIR 903 MAX ATX Mid Tower Case ($109.95 @ Vuugo)
Power Supply: Cooler Master MWE Gold 850 - V2 850 W 80+ Gold Certified Fully Modular ATX Power Supply ($143.53 @ Amazon Canada)
Total: $2034.77
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2025-04-09 23:47 EDT-0400

 

[Jawzzzzz]

The B550 is a newer chipset vs the X570 and doesn't have the obnoxious fan that the X570 boards include. Before I can give advice on the gpu I need to know what resolution your friend games at.

My friend plays on an unusual resolution of 1720x1080 on his 49" ultrawide monitor.

 

[Why_Me]

My friend plays on an unusual resolution of 1720x1080 on his 49" ultrawide monitor.

That 4070 should work fine for that resolution. Keep your eyes peeled on the RTX 5060 Ti 16GB due for release within the next few weeks.

 

[Jawzzzzz]

That 4070 should work fine for that resolution. Keep your eyes peeled on the RTX 5060 Ti 16GB due for release within the next few weeks.

What do you think the price point will be for that? similar to the 4070's right now?

 

[Jawzzzzz]

Something like this would work, I definitely recommend you check out amd's RX 9000 series. Also you can look for an RTX 5000 series card as well with the budget that you have to work with.

https://www.techpowerup.com/review/sapphire-radeon-rx-9070-xt-pulse/34.html

PCPartPicker Part List

CPU: AMD Ryzen 5 7600 3.8 GHz 6-Core Processor ($268.98 @ Amazon Canada)
CPU Cooler: Thermalright Burst Assassin 120 SE ARGB 66.17 CFM CPU Cooler ($32.39 @ Amazon Canada)
Motherboard: Asus TUF GAMING B650-PLUS WIFI ATX AM5 Motherboard ($190.98 @ Amazon Canada)
Memory: Corsair Vengeance 32 GB (2 x 16 GB) DDR5-6000 CL36 Memory ($109.99 @ Amazon Canada)
Storage: Crucial P3 Plus 2 TB M.2-2280 PCIe 4.0 X4 NVME Solid State Drive ($158.96 @ shopRBC)
Video Card: ASRock Steel Legend Radeon RX 9070 XT 16 GB Video Card ($1019.99 @ Memory Express)
Case: Montech AIR 903 MAX ATX Mid Tower Case ($109.95 @ Vuugo)
Power Supply: Cooler Master MWE Gold 850 - V2 850 W 80+ Gold Certified Fully Modular ATX Power Supply ($143.53 @ Amazon Canada)
Total: $2034.77
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2025-04-09 23:47 EDT-0400

I've never really considered the AMD GPU's. I can look into it. Thanks!

 

[Why_Me]

What do you think the price point will be for that? similar to the 4070's right now?

https://www.techpowerup.com/335231/...-8-gb-at-usd-379-rtx-5060-ti-16-gb-at-usd-429

 

[Jawzzzzz]

https://www.techpowerup.com/335231/...-8-gb-at-usd-379-rtx-5060-ti-16-gb-at-usd-429

And I'm assuming that even though it's a '60 vs the '70, because it's a newer '50', it's still better right?

 

[Why_Me]

And I'm assuming that even though it's a '60 vs the '70, because it's a newer '50', it's still better right?

Won't know until the reviews but I'm guessing it will run close or better than the 4070.

 

[VizzieTheViz]

Something like this would work, I definitely recommend you check out amd's RX 9000 series. Also you can look for an RTX 5000 series card as well with the budget that you have to work with.

https://www.techpowerup.com/review/sapphire-radeon-rx-9070-xt-pulse/34.html

PCPartPicker Part List

CPU: AMD Ryzen 5 7600 3.8 GHz 6-Core Processor ($268.98 @ Amazon Canada)
CPU Cooler: Thermalright Burst Assassin 120 SE ARGB 66.17 CFM CPU Cooler ($32.39 @ Amazon Canada)
Motherboard: Asus TUF GAMING B650-PLUS WIFI ATX AM5 Motherboard ($190.98 @ Amazon Canada)
Memory: Corsair Vengeance 32 GB (2 x 16 GB) DDR5-6000 CL36 Memory ($109.99 @ Amazon Canada)
Storage: Crucial P3 Plus 2 TB M.2-2280 PCIe 4.0 X4 NVME Solid State Drive ($158.96 @ shopRBC)
Video Card: ASRock Steel Legend Radeon RX 9070 XT 16 GB Video Card ($1019.99 @ Memory Express)
Case: Montech AIR 903 MAX ATX Mid Tower Case ($109.95 @ Vuugo)
Power Supply: Cooler Master MWE Gold 850 - V2 850 W 80+ Gold Certified Fully Modular ATX Power Supply ($143.53 @ Amazon Canada)
Total: $2034.77
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2025-04-09 23:47 EDT-0400

This is also what I’d recommend around this pricepoint, the rx9070 xt will probably be able to run a game like apex legends at the native 5120*1440p resolution of your friends screen at a decent framerate.

 

[LOGAN54321]

Since it's a gaming rig, i say forget NVIDIA . If it was for work, then it's a different story.
I had it couple hundred dollars cheaper, with r5 7600 and rx9070, but now it's maxed out for the budget. It might need a BIOS flash !

PCPartPicker Part List

CPU: AMD Ryzen 7 9700X 3.8 GHz 8-Core Processor ($438.98 @ Amazon Canada)
CPU Cooler: Thermalright Peerless Assassin 120 SE V3 70.84 CFM CPU Cooler ($46.90 @ Amazon Canada)
Motherboard: Asus TUF GAMING B650-PLUS WIFI ATX AM5 Motherboard ($190.98 @ Amazon Canada)
Memory: TEAMGROUP T-Create Expert 32 GB (2 x 16 GB) DDR5-6000 CL30 Memory ($124.99 @ Canada Computers)
Storage: MSI SPATIUM M482 2 TB M.2-2280 PCIe 4.0 X4 NVME Solid State Drive ($159.99 @ Memory Express)
Video Card: ASRock Steel Legend Radeon RX 9070 XT 16 GB Video Card ($1019.99 @ Memory Express)
Case: Lian Li LANCOOL 216 RGB ATX Mid Tower Case ($149.99 @ Newegg Canada)
Power Supply: NZXT C850 (2024) 850 W 80+ Gold Certified Fully Modular ATX Power Supply ($192.99 @ PC-Canada)
Total: $2324.81
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2025-04-10 07:26 EDT-0400

 

[Jawzzzzz]

Since it's a gaming rig, i say forget NVIDIA . If it was for work, then it's a different story.
I had it couple hundred dollars cheaper, with r5 7600 and rx9070, but now it's maxed out for the budget. It might need a BIOS flash !

PCPartPicker Part List

CPU: AMD Ryzen 7 9700X 3.8 GHz 8-Core Processor ($438.98 @ Amazon Canada)
CPU Cooler: Thermalright Peerless Assassin 120 SE V3 70.84 CFM CPU Cooler ($46.90 @ Amazon Canada)
Motherboard: Asus TUF GAMING B650-PLUS WIFI ATX AM5 Motherboard ($190.98 @ Amazon Canada)
Memory: TEAMGROUP T-Create Expert 32 GB (2 x 16 GB) DDR5-6000 CL30 Memory ($124.99 @ Canada Computers)
Storage: MSI SPATIUM M482 2 TB M.2-2280 PCIe 4.0 X4 NVME Solid State Drive ($159.99 @ Memory Express)
Video Card: ASRock Steel Legend Radeon RX 9070 XT 16 GB Video Card ($1019.99 @ Memory Express)
Case: Lian Li LANCOOL 216 RGB ATX Mid Tower Case ($149.99 @ Newegg Canada)
Power Supply: NZXT C850 (2024) 850 W 80+ Gold Certified Fully Modular ATX Power Supply ($192.99 @ PC-Canada)
Total: $2324.81
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2025-04-10 07:26 EDT-0400

Thank you! Why would you say forget nvidia for a gaming rig? I'm not in tune with all this stuff so not sure the diff between nvidia and amd gpus.

 

[LOGAN54321]

I'm not saying NVIDIA couldn't be used. My general opinion about GPUs: if it is for work, or mostly work and some gaming - NVIDIA (unless of course it's some specific work that requires AMD)... I don't work in the field, but in my general curiosity as far as I have seen, most (more special)software is made to work on NVIDIA ( which is understandable considering that they have the much bigger market share, and have some technologies that make them "ahead of the game" ).
If it is for gaming, then it could be either way NVIDIA or AMD... And why not be AMD if you get more for your money!
People are getting tired of NVIDIA's anti-consumer practices. For years higher end cards have had less VRAM than they should. (including the current RTX 5070 and RTX 5080). RTX 5090 should have launched last year, but even now it can hardly be called "launched" - there are so few, it's like non-existent. So it has been called "paper launch". Seems like some people don't believe that NVIDIA doesn't care anymore about their consumer graphics cards. But they make so much money from their data center oriented cards, that of course they don't care much about the consumer ones.

The RTX 50-series is the worst GPU launch in recent memory​

Messy drivers, missing ROPs, and that idiotic connector - don't even start me on that one! How long has it been out ? - and they still haven't done a proper fix for it. It is not user error, it is not supplier issue - it is improper design . That connector is appropriate for much lower current, and not for the (high)current demand of cards like the RTX 4090/5090 . But to begin with ,they probably use it because it's smaller, "sexier", and probably even cheaper than putting 3-4 8pin connectors . I have a few more things to say about it, but let's just stop here.
It's been quite a few years now that NVIDIA has been treating consumers like dirt.
But right now seems worse than ever. I think the old adage applies - vote with your wallets / don't buy ( nvidia ). So in my opinion it makes sense to get the "lesser evil".
AMD of course has it's own problems and issues , but right now i think that's the way to go.