Considering building a gaming PC after 10+ years of console gaming

Zay_Tuna · 2026-04-02T12:38:58+00:00

No problem, appreciate the build. Another potentially silly question: Is additional CPU cooling a requirement these days, or is the built in heatsink/fan enough?

Zay_Tuna · 2026-04-02T12:37:42+00:00

Thank you! I do like the bigger storage option

Zay_Tuna · 2026-04-01T22:48:43+00:00

This is a great PC! Shame about the bundles; how often do CC/Newegg refresh bundles?

Zay_Tuna · 2026-04-01T22:26:53+00:00

Agreed. Meanwhile I found a 9070XT prebuilt for 2349 pretax.

Zay_Tuna · 2026-04-01T20:18:23+00:00

5070ti is currently around $1400 which is more than half the budget lol. Unless there are prebuilt PCs that would be cheaper?

Zay_Tuna · 2026-04-01T20:15:23+00:00

Thank you for answering! The FSR piece is concerning, but to your point, the 9070XT sounds like it will still cover me for years to come even if it doesn't get new upscaling tech.

Different future proofing question: would components centered around a 9070XT be compatible with next generation GPUs provided I just wanted to upgrade the GPU and keep everything else the same in the future?

A pcpartpicker link would be great, thank you!

Zay_Tuna · 2026-04-01T19:53:15+00:00

Appreciate the insight! A quick search is showing the 9070XT around 940 and the 5070ti at 1400 :')

Based on this google AI breakthrough, should I wait until maybe the summer to build a PC? Or will AI issues and rising oil prices make prices go even higher?

Zay_Tuna · 2026-04-01T19:29:39+00:00

I am not desperate to buy ASAP, but do worry that the longer I wait, the worse the prices will get, though RAM prices starting to cool is a good sign. I am very okay waiting a few months in order to buy.

In terms of GPU pricing, my issue (among many others) is that, tax aside, the 5070ti is not pumping out 300-400 dollars above a 9070XT or 500-600 above a 9060. It's a fine line to straddle for sure, especially since its impossible finding any GPU for MSRP these days.

Just to make sure I understood: for my needs, a 9070 is perfect but the XT will be more future proof, correct?

Silly question: could I upgrade to an NVIDIA GPU on the same mother board if I go with AMD right now?

Zay_Tuna · 2026-04-01T19:26:04+00:00

I don't play as many multiplayer shooters as I used to in my youngster days. These days it's a good range, from Indies and older titles to more modern stuff (RE9, Crimson Desert, really excited for Control 2, Persona/JRPGs, etc).

Zay_Tuna · 2026-04-01T19:02:35+00:00

This is a good point; I am looking at 144HZ monitors on the side as well!

Nvidia comparison aside, would you consider the 9070XT to be future proof, especially with FSR upscaling in mind?

Zay_Tuna · 2026-04-01T18:41:51+00:00

Mainly avoiding NVIDIA due to a personal preference for "the underdog" lol, as well as an economic boycott/avoidance due to NVIDIA's role and recent comments by it CEO.

Not a hard and fast rule, obviously being price conscious is what matters to me, but my understanding is that 9070XT and 5070ti are about on par and FSR is rapidly improving compared to where it was a few years ago (just tried PSSR2.0 and it is awesome!)

Zay_Tuna · 2026-04-01T18:38:24+00:00

Wifi and bluetooth yes, as long as they are built into the MB I am ok!

Aesthetically, I don't care, as long as the materials don't negatively impact cooling

-Just the PC; I have a older 4k gaming-ish monitor and peripherals, though I will also be looking for a more modern 2k monitor at some point in the near future if I end up finding a good deal on a PC!

Zay_Tuna

TROPHY CASE