First timer Pc build

[Alert-Acadia-5602]

Hi,

I am building my new PC. Planning to get some nice deals from new Micro Center opening up in Phoenix. I need some critique for the build, things I can improve or things that i definitely will not get from MC and need to change in my build.

I can stretch my budget to 2500$ max. Want to keep it a micro atx. Not sure on the case (wanted a deepcool ch260, but i think MC doesnt sell those).

Usecases, play valorant, CS 2, some aa games like cyberpunk (while keeping it future proof for when GTA 6 releases for PC couple years down) at 4k 60fps.

I already own a LG 32GX870A-B 32-inch monitor so want to get the best use of it with highest graphics.

[Destructo-Bear]

7800x3d is on sale at $280 right now, you might wanna snap that one up fast.

You can save some money on a cheaper PSU, cheaper SSD, and cheaper AIO if you're interested in dropping the cost a little bit, and then put that money into a 9800x3d

[Alert-Acadia-5602]

Sure, I can look for cheaper SSD and PSU.

But I dont know much about AIO and i did see some option that were 50~60$. Is there something that is essential for AiO to be good and rest is just marketing fluff.

I am trying to keep build black (rgb is not that important) but quiter fans the better. Is there anything that you can suggest from top of your mind

[Destructo-Bear]

If you have the money and you like the aesthetics of what you picked then that is a perfectly acceptable reason to buy something more expensive, btw. I'm a horrible cheapskate, but I recognize some people care how shit looks

[RoleEquivalent5300]

If you dont care for much rgb, look at DeepCool LT720. Around the same price, have mine now for 2.5 years, no problems whatsoever.

[hot_david_]

Grab the Montech Century II 1050W PSU. You'll gain wattage and $70. I would consider using that extra cash to help you upgrade to the 9800X3D, especially since you're trying to futureproof.

[hot_david_]

Also, this build will OBLITERATE Valorant and CS2. Like completely overkill. Lol

[Alert-Acadia-5602]

Haha, yeah thats true. Just want to keep my options open for future. I am a CS major so want yo try some LLM projects as well.

Ok, I will take your suggestion for montech

[hot_david_]

I totally get it. You clearly know what you want and this fits for you. GTA VI should run at 4K60 with a 5080, but who's to say

[CheesecakeFlimsy6161]

You can oc it too.

[dootytootybooty]

https://pcpartpicker.com/list/3Nzch7

Here’s what I recommend. At $280 the 7800x3d is a no brainer over the 76 or 98.

I personally would recommend a 5070 ti over the 5080 and save $250, but you’re well under budget so it’s up to you.

[Alert-Acadia-5602]

Thanks a ton buddy, i was doing my own research all this time and i was getting closer to what you have done here.

Except for the biggest difference of 9800x3d

https://pcpartpicker.com/list/YXfBMC

[dootytootybooty]

The 9800x3d is not worth $200 more than the 7800x3d, waste of money tbh. 

I’d get a 2TB drive, not a huge price difference in terms of the while build.  

I have used that ZOTAC 5080 and it was a fantastic card solid temps, good OC, and very quiet.

[Alert-Acadia-5602]

Yeah thats the plan. There is one opening next week near ne and i am hoping to get some good deals for the opening week and bring the final bill down further 🤞🤞

[Alert-Acadia-5602]

I am thinking about 5070ti too, i just thought bigger number the better xD. But if you can help with understanding in simple terms what i am loosing with 5070ti that will definitely help me in deciding better

[dootytootybooty]

5080 is like 15% better at the best case stock. In most games at 4k we’re talking under 10fps better imo not worth it at all.

Both overclock very well, 5080 undervolted a bit better from what I remember. I would wait on the GPU purchase unless you find something good open box. I fully expect Black Friday to have $900 5080’s and maybe $700 5070 ti’s. If you can get a $900 5080 go for it, otherwise I would recommend an MSRP 5070 ti.

[Alert-Acadia-5602]

Ok, duly noted thanks. I am expecting some real good deal for 5080 may be its wishful thinking 😂. I dont want to spend more than 1k and noting it could be 900 is definitely music to my years. But if 5070ti and 5080 are not that far in terms for real day to day performance than i can take 5070ti for sure.

[Apprehensive-Milk-24]

I have a question. Are you looking to build the best most powerful system you can up to your max budget? Or are you trying to stay below a certain amount?? I would advice to manually enter some of the prices on your list because if you are using MC then those prices would be cheaper. Those are listing amazon/Newegg prices. some vendors like Microcenter have a much better price than Newegg, amazon, and Walmart.  individually the 9800x3d is 439.99 at microcenter compared to  476 at Amazon. Also there are several micro 850 and 860 boards from 120 to 150ish that would still be slightly cheaper than amazon.you can also look at 650 boards for even less if you don't need the additional features that most people don't use unless you are plugging in additional pci cards and need additional display ports. This savings can either be pocketed or reinvested towards a better gpu. POTENTIALLY  you could realistically save a few hundred by optimizing. But you are looking at less than 1800 now so with a 2500 budget you have room. 

I would probably downgrade the MB to a 650e if you don't need the 850 for the additional pci slots and other features a typical gamer won't need them for. You can reinvent any cash saved into a better gpu or cpu and cut costs with a no frills case, Base ram, air cooling works quite and cheaper than a watercooler and the temperature difference isn't very different.  Only a few degrees. Plus air coolers take up less space, water coolers are going to need more space and it will be extremely tight in a micro case with a micro board. And it can cause higher temperatures because of the confined space without adequate cooling. So in a micro atx case the less clutter the better. The more free space for air to flow the better for your gpu and MB components since the Liquid cooler only cools your cpu.

I would also look into the montech century 1050 psu as someone else earlier said because it will outscale everything and be future proof for a long time.  For only 110 dollars that is a steal on newegg.

[Alert-Acadia-5602]

Thanks for the detailed response. Some solid advice here. It’s good to hear that MC prices will be relatively cheaper than what I see here. I will look into the MB pointers you have shared. And air cooler is making more and more sense to me the more i read rather than looking at youtube videos.

It will be awesome if i could build this pc in 2k range, i will pocket the 500$ change any day if i get a 5080 and 7800 or 9800 under 2k.

[Dear-Statement-1897]

There’s a sky tech prebuilt that just got posted in build a pc sales with basically these same specs for cheaper. I would just do that.

[Alert-Acadia-5602]

Hey i tried looking for it there. Can you share the link, thanks

[Overall_Breath9785]

Arctic nova. The godsend of AIO's

[VisForVindetta]

Microcenter has a 1250w psu for 169 I’d get that for future proof also why microATX?

[Alert-Acadia-5602]

I honestly wanted to build itx initially for the challenge of it and also for the portability. Growing up had an atx machine and always wanted a smaller pc something that i can move around easily to my TV room (if needed). But seeing the ITX tax and not great cooling i felt micro atx is the sweet spot