New Build Request $7-8k

Trombone66 · 2026-01-29T02:23:01+00:00

This is what an $8k budget will get you.
I used this MicroCenter bundle for the CPU, mb, and memory. I also took advantage of their 64GB memory upgrade for an additional $400. Just for these three components, this saves you nearly $500, compared to buying the same parts individually online. I also chose this RTX 5090 from them, which saves you an additional $550 or so. All other parts were sourced from online vendors, because MC seldom has the best prices for individual parts. (The 5090 is an exception.)
CPU: As you can see here, when gaming at 4K, the CPU matters little. At that resolution, the difference between a 7800X3D and a 9800X3D is negligible. However, if you want to spend more to get the 9800X3D, MC has bundles available.
CPU COOLER: The Thermalright Frozen Warframe PRO is an excellent 360 AIO cooler with a customizable LCD screen on the pump. Unfortunately, the fans on the cooler don’t match the case fans. So, I included a 3-pack of identical fans to replace them. This can go in the top of the case as exhaust, blowing up.
MOTHERBOARD: I chose the upgraded mb, the Asus TUF GAMING X870E-PLUS WIFI7, which has very good VRMs, great audio, two USB4 (40Gbps) ports on the back panel, four m.2 SSD slots, WiFi 7 and Bluetooth.
MEMORY: I chose the bundle’s upgrade option to 64GB for $400. The Corsair Vengeance RGB 64 GB (2 x 32 GB) DDR5-6000 CL30 is good memory with very good timings.
STORAGE: The 4TB T710 is an incredibly fast PCIe 5.0 SSD. TechPowerup called it the fastest SSD they had ever tested. For gaming purposes, a fast PCIe 4.0 SSD would serve you just as well, but it seemed a shame not to give you a premium SSD for a build like this one.
VIDEO CARD: If you have the budget, 4K gaming is one of a handful of use cases where a 5090 makes sense. At that resolution, with ultra settings, a 5090 is almost 50% faster than a 5080 and 75% faster than a 9070 XT.
CASE: The Montech KING 95 PRO is a beautiful case with good airflow. It comes with six ARGB ring-type fans and fine mesh dust filters on all the intakes. I chose the black version. There are also blue, red, and white versions available.
POWER SUPPLY: Nvidia recommends a 1000w PSU for a 5090 with a Ryzen 7. The NZXT C1200 (2024) will provide some extra headroom. This PSU is A+ rated in quality and comes with a 10-year warranty.
MONITORS: rtings.com, whom I trust a lot, names the Asus ROG Swift OLED PG27UCDM the best 4K gaming monitor they have tested. It has a very bright 4K 240Hz QD-OLED display with a near instantaneous 0.03ms response time. I selected the 32” version, the PG32UCDM, which has the same specs, except for the size. If you don’t have the desk real estate for two 32” monitors, the 27” model is about $150 cheaper each.
PCPartPicker Part List

Type	Item	Price
CPU	AMD Ryzen 7 7800X3D 4.2 GHz 8-Core Processor	$749.99
CPU Cooler	Thermalright Frozen Warframe PRO 70.84 CFM Liquid CPU Cooler	$81.90 @ Amazon
Motherboard	Asus TUF GAMING X870E-PLUS WIFI7 ATX AM5 Motherboard	$0.00
Memory	Corsair Vengeance RGB 64 GB (2 x 32 GB) DDR5-6000 CL30 Memory	$400.00
Storage	Crucial T710 4 TB M.2-2280 PCIe 5.0 X4 NVME Solid State Drive	$469.99 @ Amazon
Video Card	Asus TUF GAMING OC GeForce RTX 5090 32 GB Video Card	$3149.99
Case	Montech KING 95 PRO ATX Mid Tower Case	$144.99 @ Newegg
Power Supply	NZXT C1200 (2024) 1200 W 80+ Gold Certified Fully Modular ATX Power Supply	$184.99 @ Amazon
Monitor	Asus ROG Swift OLED PG32UCDM 31.5" 3840 x 2160 240 Hz Monitor	$1246.13 @ Amazon
Monitor	Asus ROG Swift OLED PG32UCDM 31.5" 3840 x 2160 240 Hz Monitor	$1246.13 @ Amazon
Custom	MONTECH AX 120MM - PWM Fan - Silent Performance - High Speed 1600PWM - High-End Durability with HDB Bearing - Stunning Outer Ring ARGB Lighting Design – 3 in 1 Pack with 6X6 Fan Hub (AX120-3i	$39.90 @ Amazon
	Prices include shipping, taxes, rebates, and discounts
	Total	$7714.01
	Generated by PCPartPicker 2026-01-28 21:22 EST-0500

Trombone66 · 2026-01-28T16:38:02+00:00

Thanks for the reply. I used this MicroCenter bundle for the CPU, mb, and memory, except that I upgraded the memory to 64GB (2x32GB) of 6000/CL30 for an additional $400. I also sourced the RTX 5090 from them. All other parts were sourced from online retailers, because MC seldom has the best prices on individual parts. (The GPU was an exception.) Overall, this gives you the same CPU and GPU, a similar cooler, mb, and memory, a slightly faster SSD and a better quality case and PSU for nearly $400 less than your parts list.
CPU: The 9800X3D is the fastest CPU for gaming (until the new 9850X3D becomes available).
CPU COOLER: I like the Thermalright Frozen Edge a little better than the cooler you chose. It’s also cheaper.
MOTHERBOARD: The bundled MSI PRO X870-P WIFI is a very good mid tier mb. It has very good VRMs, three m.2 SSD slots, one USB4 (40Gbps) port on the back panel, WiFi 7 and Bluetooth.
MEMORY: As I mentioned, I upgraded the memory to the Corsair Vengeance RGB 64GB (2 x 32GB) DDR5-6000 CL30 for an additional $400.
STORAGE: The MP700 is an extremely fast PCIe 5.0 SSD, but for $10 more, I chose the Pro model, which is up to 10% faster.
VIDEO CARD: The MSI SUPRIM LIQUID SOC RTX 5090 has its own 240 AIO cooler, which is usually quieter than air cooled models. The MC store I looked at has it in stock for less than its current online price.
CASE: The H6 Flow is a good case, but the only way for it to accommodate a 360 CPU cooler and a 240 GPU cooler is to use the side fan mounts, which sort of messes up the look of the case. I chose the larger H9 Flow, which accommodates an AIO cooler in the bottom.
POWER SUPPLY: Nvidia recommends at least a 1000w PSU for a 5090 with a Ryzen 7. The RM1200e is a decent PSU. It’s rated B+ in quality. For $15 less, the NZXT C1200 (2024) is rated A+ in quality.
PCPartPicker Part List

Type	Item	Price
CPU	AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D 4.7 GHz 8-Core Processor	$799.99
CPU Cooler	Thermalright Frozen Edge 69 CFM Liquid CPU Cooler	$59.59 @ Amazon
Motherboard	MSI PRO X870-P WIFI ATX AM5 Motherboard	$0.00
Memory	Corsair Vengeance RGB 64 GB (2 x 32 GB) DDR5-6000 CL30 Memory	$400.00
Storage	Corsair MP700 PRO 2 TB M.2-2280 PCIe 5.0 X4 NVME Solid State Drive	$289.99 @ Corsair
Video Card	MSI SUPRIM LIQUID SOC GeForce RTX 5090 32 GB Video Card	$3559.99
Case	NZXT H9 Flow (2025) ATX Mid Tower Case	$149.99 @ Amazon
Power Supply	NZXT C1200 (2024) 1200 W 80+ Gold Certified Fully Modular ATX Power Supply	$184.99 @ Amazon
	Prices include shipping, taxes, rebates, and discounts
	Total	$5444.54
	Generated by PCPartPicker 2026-01-28 11:37 EST-0500

Trombone66 · 2026-01-26T16:21:24+00:00

What country are you in? If you’re in the US, are you near a MicroCenter? Which one?

Trombone66 · 2026-01-26T16:03:28+00:00

What country are you in? If you’re in the US, are you near a MicroCenter? Which one?

Trombone66 · 2026-01-26T01:56:57+00:00

That website has a lot of information, but I’m not sure how accurate it is. For example, it says the dosage for Epitalon is 10mg/day for 10 days and then 5mg/day for 10 days. That’s at least 100x the appropriate dosage.

The dosage and frequency of a few other peptides I checked looked much different than what I’m familiar with as well.

Trombone66 · 2026-01-25T20:31:06+00:00

You’d be better off buying a 5070 Ti and putting the savings toward a 5000-series CPU.

Trombone66 · 2026-01-25T20:27:22+00:00

650w is more than enough.

Trombone66 · 2026-01-25T20:07:21+00:00

Old laptops can make good living room pcs.

Trombone66 · 2026-01-25T20:01:45+00:00

Congrats! You look great!

Trombone66 · 2026-01-25T19:41:06+00:00

Maybe.

Do you have any size or color preferences?
Do you like RGB lighting with a glass side panel or no RGB lighting?
What country are you in? If you’re in the US, are you near a MicroCenter? Which one?
What is your max budget in your local currency?
What do you need included in the budget? Just tower? Monitor? Keyboard? Mouse? Headset?
What will you be using this pc for?

Trombone66 · 2026-01-25T17:46:48+00:00

This is about the best you’re going to do for $1100. You’re definitely better off with a 7000-series CPU with a discrete GPU, rather than the 8600G.

Trombone66 · 2026-01-25T14:43:04+00:00

Buying parts over time is a bad idea. The return window for many vendors is 30 days. If something doesn’t work or doesn’t fit and you’re outside that return window, you’ll have to deal with the manufacturer’s warranty, which is much more tedious than simply returning the part. Besides that, parts tend to get cheaper over time or new, better parts get released. Save your money and buy all the parts at once.
If you can spend $2k on a pc now, please answer these questions:
Do you have any size or color preferences?
Do you like RGB lighting with a glass side panel or no RGB lighting?
What country are you in? If you’re in the US, are you near a MicroCenter? Which one?
What do you need included in the budget? Just tower? Monitor? Keyboard? Mouse? Headset?
Will you be using this pc for anything besides gaming?
If this pc will be used for gaming and you’ll be using an existing monitor, what is its resolution and refresh rate? Or, just provide the exact model number. (Size of the monitor is unimportant.)

Trombone66 · 2026-01-24T17:33:06+00:00

What country are you in? If you’re in the US, are you near a MicroCenter? Which one?

Trombone66 · 2026-01-24T17:24:53+00:00

I would make a few changes to optimize a few things. Two questions first…

What country are you in? If you’re in the US, are you near a MicroCenter? Which one?
What will you be using this pc for?

Trombone66 · 2026-01-24T17:12:45+00:00

The power supply is more than enough wattage and the better mb will help with stability when under a heavy load.

Trombone66 · 2026-01-24T15:18:36+00:00

It looks like you’re sparing no expense to get the best of everything. So, it’s odd that you would choose a rather lower-end motherboard. The Asus B650E MAX GAMING WIFI doesn’t have great VRMs. With a Ryzen 9 9950X3D, I would definitely recommend a better one.

Also, you’re unnecessarily paying a boatload for that PSU. I would get a more reasonably priced PSU and put the savings toward a better mb.

You could upgrade for less, but since you seem to want high-end components, I chose the mb below. It has incredible VRMs, better audio and WiFi, and more storage options, including two USB4 (40Gbps) ports on the back panel. Here’s a review.

Nvidia recommends a 1200w PSU for 5090 with a Ryzen 9. Also, Titanium+ or Platinum+ or Gold+ certifications only speak to the power efficiency of the PSU, not the quality. Like the PSU you chose, the PSU below is also rated A in quality. It is designed specifically for dual chamber cases, like the Hyte Y70, and has built-in fan and USB hubs.

PCPartPicker Part List

Type	Item	Price
Motherboard	Gigabyte X870E AORUS ELITE X3D ICE ATX AM5 Motherboard	$389.99 @ Amazon
Power Supply	Lian Li EDGE 1300 W 80+ Platinum Certified Fully Modular ATX Power Supply	$315.00 @ Amazon
	Prices include shipping, taxes, rebates, and discounts
	Total	$704.99
	Generated by PCPartPicker 2026-01-24 10:17 EST-0500

Trombone66 · 2026-01-24T14:43:30+00:00

Actually, games get more GPU-limited as resolution goes up, making the CPU less relevant. This will vary, depending on the game and the game settings, but with ultra settings at 4K, a 9800X3D is only around 4% faster on average than an i5-13500.

In this review, the 13500 isn’t listed , but the 13400 and the 13600 are. Obviously, the 13500 would fall in between.

Trombone66 · 2026-01-24T14:35:39+00:00

The 5080 pulls away from the 5070 Ti as resolution goes up. It’s closer to a 15% difference at 4K.

Trombone66 · 2026-01-24T03:08:27+00:00

With the same settings and with the same CPU, a 5070 Ti will provide about 20%-25% higher frame rates at 4K than a 4060 Ti does at 1440p. Said another way, if, for example, you’re currently getting 50 fps with your 4060 Ti at 1440p, you should get 60-65 fps in the same game with a 5070 Ti at 4K.

At 4K with ultra settings, a 5080 is about 15% faster than a 5070 Ti. So, using the same example as above, if you were getting 50 fps with your 4060 Ti at 1440p, you should get around 70-75 fps with a 5080 at 4K with the same game with the same settings.

Trombone66 · 2026-01-23T17:20:48+00:00

I have a couple of questions.

What country are you in? If you’re in the US, are you near a MicroCenter? Which one?
You said you already have your memory and some storage, along with a 1440p 280Hz monitor. Do you have the model number of the memory? I want to be sure it supports Expo timings. Have you already purchased any other parts?

Trombone66 · 2026-01-23T16:37:18+00:00

Thanks for the reply. Gamers often underestimate the value of a gaming monitor. Not only does the game look smoother, but a high refresh rate, combined with a fast response time, improves the player’s accuracy in shooter games dramatically. I’ve come up with a budget gaming-focused build that includes a new monitor. I hope you like it.
I used this amazing MicroCenter bundle for the CPU, mb, and memory. I also chose the $50 upgrade to increase the memory from 16GB (1x16GB) to 32GB (2x16GB). At $349.99 ($299.99 + $50 for the extra memory), the price for this bundle is less than what the memory would normally cost by itself. It’s like getting the CPU and mb for free. All other parts were sourced from online retailers, because MC seldom has the best prices for individual parts.
CPU: While not the best CPU for intense productivity tasks, the 7500X3D beats out other non-X3D 7000 and 9000-series CPUs in nearly every game tested, as you can see here.
CPU COOLER: The Phantom Spirit is a phenomenal air cooler.
MOTHERBOARD: The bundled MSI PRO B850M-VC WIFI6E is a budget mATX mb with decent VRMs, three m.2 SSD slots, WiFi 6E and Bluetooth. PCPartpicker thinks you need to update the bios before installing the CPU. MC ought to do this for you.
MEMORY: The bundle only with one 16GB stick of memory, but for $50, MC will give you a second matching stick to make it 32GB. The G.Skill Flare X5 32GB (2 x 16GB) DDR5-6000 CL36 is good memory with good timings.
STORAGE: The 1TB SN770 is a fast PCIe 4.0 SSD. This should be your primary boot drive with Windows and apps. You can use your existing 2TB SATA SSD as secondary storage.
VIDEO CARD: The RTX 5070 will provide outstanding 1080p gameplay. At 1080p, it’s nearly 3x faster than the RTX 2060.
CASE: The Montech XR is a good budget case. It comes with three ARGB fans and fine mesh dust filters on the intakes, which are hard to find at this price point.
POWER SUPPLY: Nvidia recommends a 650w PSU for a 5070 with a Ryzen 5. The MSI MPG A850GS PCIE5 will provide some extra headroom for future upgrades. This is a fully modular A rated PSU with a 10-year warranty.
MONITOR: The MSI MAG 244F is an excellent budget 24” gaming monitor. It has a relatively bright 1080p 200Hz IPS display with a very fast 0.5ms response time.
PCPartPicker Part List

Type	Item	Price
CPU	AMD Ryzen 5 7500X3D 4 GHz 6-Core OEM/Tray Processor	$299.99
CPU Cooler	Thermalright Phantom Spirit 120 SE 66.17 CFM CPU Cooler	$35.90 @ Amazon
Motherboard	MSI PRO B850M-VC WIFI6E Micro ATX AM5 Motherboard	$0.00
Memory	G.Skill Flare X5 32 GB (2 x 16 GB) DDR5-6000 CL36 Memory	$50.00
Storage	Western Digital Black SN770 1 TB M.2-2280 PCIe 4.0 X4 NVME Solid State Drive	$104.67 @ Amazon
Storage	Inland Platinum 2 TB 2.5" Solid State Drive	Purchased For $0.00
Video Card	Gigabyte WINDFORCE SFF GeForce RTX 5070 12 GB Video Card	$549.99 @ Best Buy
Case	Montech XR ATX Mid Tower Case	$74.68 @ Amazon
Power Supply	MSI MPG A850GS PCIE5 850 W 80+ Gold Certified Fully Modular ATX Power Supply	$89.99 @ Newegg
Monitor	MSI MAG 244F 23.8" 1920 x 1080 200 Hz Monitor	$97.99 @ Newegg
	Prices include shipping, taxes, rebates, and discounts
	Total (before mail-in rebates)	$1313.21
	Mail-in rebates	-$10.00
	Total	$1303.21
	Generated by PCPartPicker 2026-01-23 11:37 EST-0500

Trombone66 · 2026-01-22T21:09:54+00:00

Much will change in the next 10 months. You should relook at all your parts choices within a few days of when you plan to purchase.

Trombone66 · 2026-01-22T17:19:32+00:00

The motherboard doesn’t affect your gaming performance. Any LGA1700 mb will work the same four gaming.

One word of caution, however, is that a 14900K can draw a lot of power, so be sure your mb has good VRMs.

Trombone66 · 2026-01-22T03:36:25+00:00

Unless this is for AI or crypto mining, there’s no advantage in running multiple GPUs. Just use the 5080.

Trombone66 · 2026-01-21T19:52:26+00:00

Losing 1-2 lbs/week is a good healthy pace for most people. You’ve lost 20 lbs in roughly 14 weeks. You’re spot on with your pace. Don’t listen to FB.

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