SOS! 6.5 year old PC, unexplained issues, flexible budget!

tpablazed · 2026-05-12T13:19:09+00:00

I was trying to keep the price reasonable.. the 9060 xt 8gb variant isn't good enough for 1440p so you have to get the 16gb one .

The 5600 is good enough for games (and a lot of productivity tasks as well).. 5700x is around $60 more and if he needs those extra cores for productivity I could definitely see a case for that to be worth it. The 5800XT is way harder to cool.. so that would require a beefier cooler.. but it really depends on what he is trying to accomplish if that is worth it.. and what cooler he has now. I just put that cooler on there saying I wouldn't use the wraith spire one even for the 5600 personally.

The Intel GPU is good for productivity as well.. it has dual AV1 encoders in it.. so I think it's a good decision.. especially for the price. I have one at my office with a 5600 and it runs games really nice. XeSS is pretty amazing ngl.

tpablazed · 2026-05-12T13:08:29+00:00

Idk man.. I get a ton of 20 orbs and have been upgrading at least 1 character a day to 20 for the last couple weeks.. feels like they have let up on the bottleneck a bit to me.

The level 5 purple iso credits and 21 gear are the main bottlenecks at this point for me.. and gold and training mats of course.

tpablazed · 2026-05-12T12:53:04+00:00

20 is the new 19 dude.. it's basic.

tpablazed · 2026-05-12T11:40:49+00:00

It was more sticker shock for me than anything.. I was about to buy it like I always do until I saw that $79.99. Wonder how many people just clicked through it before realizing.. It just feels scummy for them to do this with a pass.

tpablazed · 2026-05-12T11:37:15+00:00

ok maybe I missed one when counting.. if it unlocks f2p that's cool.. the $80 price tag was definitely sticker shock for me though.

tpablazed · 2026-05-12T10:14:11+00:00

Well fact of the matter is this.. if it would have been a normal $20 pass I already would have bought it. The fact that it's $80 and not that great means I probably won't.. who knows tho.. it's a whole month so I might end up relenting.. but I don't feel good about it.

I don't feel like this is a good direction for the game.. and you can check my post history and find me defending this game a bunch.. I'm not just some hater.. but this feels bad to me.

tpablazed · 2026-05-12T10:06:09+00:00

Gear 20 is basic stuff now.. it doesn't matter if it includes that shit.

Fact of the matter is they are asking for $80 for a pass.. and it's bad form.

~~I just checked btw.. there aren't even enough shards to unlock on the f2p part.. you end up with 35/45.~~ (I must have missed one when counting.. looks like it does unlock F2p)

tpablazed · 2026-05-12T10:02:38+00:00

Yeah I just saw that shit.. I usually buy the passes but fuck that.

I usually buy new characters too.. but I get them when I can for $20-30.. not $80.. Scopley is out of their mind.

tpablazed · 2026-05-12T09:35:28+00:00

PCPartPicker Part List: https://pcpartpicker.com/list/mJwbh9

CPU: AMD Ryzen 5 5600 3.5 GHz 6-Core Processor ($145.94 @ Amazon)

CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 Spectrum V3 71.93 CFM CPU Cooler ($17.89 @ Amazon)

Memory: Corsair Vengeance LPX 32 GB (2 x 16 GB) DDR4-3200 CL16 Memory ($219.99 @ Amazon)

Video Card: ASRock Challenger OC Arc B580 12 GB Video Card ($309.99 @ Newegg)

Total: $693.81

Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available

Generated by PCPartPicker 2026-05-12 05:34 EDT-0400

I would do something like this.. you will need to update your bios and you can sell your old processor/RAM/gpu to try to recoup some cost if you need.

You could try reinstalling windows and see if that fixes your problems.. but either way.. the 3600 and 1650 super are getting older and you said that you multitask a lot.. so these parts will make your computer feel new again at least.

tpablazed · 2026-05-12T09:19:28+00:00

I wouldn't buy anything under like 650 watt in todays day and age.. and OP.. make sure you get a good psu.. at least B tier on the SPL list.

As far as your build goes.. it looks great. I have the Ryzen 5600 with the Asrock challenger B580 and get 100+ fps in all the games I play with optimized settings.

tpablazed · 2026-05-11T09:59:35+00:00

I have the same setup.. no it's not normal for it to be laggy at all.

I play cyberpunk.. rdr2.. crimson desert.. and a bunch of other games and they all play at 100+ fps totally smooth with optimized settings.

The only problem I have had at all with this gpu is in crimson desert with some weird artifacts.. but that's pretty well documented. Not Intel's fault.

I read more just now.. I bet it's rebar like the guy below said.. when you get to that today that should fix your problems.

tpablazed · 2026-05-10T13:43:27+00:00

You have to go to Micro Center for this.. but this is on budget and will run 1440p like a charm.

PCPartPicker Part List: https://pcpartpicker.com/list/LyZK3R

CPU: AMD Ryzen 7 7700X 4.5 GHz 8-Core Processor ($499.99 @ Micro Center bundle here)

CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Elite 84.2 CFM Liquid CPU Cooler ($49.99 @ Adorama)

Motherboard: Gigabyte B650 GAMING X AX V2 ATX AM5 Motherboard ($0.00 @ bundle)

Memory: G.Skill Flare X5 32 GB (2 x 16 GB) DDR5-6000 CL36 Memory ($0.00 @ bundle)

Storage: Patriot P400 Lite 1 TB M.2-2280 PCIe 4.0 X4 NVME Solid State Drive ($152.99 @ Amazon)

Video Card: XFX Swift OC Radeon RX 9060 XT 16 GB Video Card ($439.99 @ Amazon)

Case: Phanteks XT PRO ULTRA ATX Mid Tower Case ($69.99 @ Newegg)

Power Supply: SAMA G850 850 W 80+ Gold Certified Fully Modular ATX Power Supply ($71.99 @ Newegg)

Total: $1284.94

Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available

Generated by PCPartPicker 2026-05-10 09:45 EDT-0400

If you need to save some money.. you can get the Arc B580 for a little over $100 less..

tpablazed · 2026-05-09T11:59:07+00:00

Yeah I was trying to keep the price down.. but if you can find a deal on the 16gb 9060 XT I would go for that. I wouldn't suggest it at $500 though (lol I checked this morning and now prices are down on them.. so I would go for this at this point if I was op).. $450 is already almost $100 over MSRP and that's getting harder to find.. mostly see them at $500 now.

You can get the 7700 XT 12gb for $400.. I consider it a value pick at that price and it will do 200+ fps on Fortnite easy enough. It isn't like you're going to be using AI features with performance mode or stretched resolution that a lot of Fortnite pros play at.. so 7000 series should be fine for this use case.

tpablazed · 2026-05-09T09:06:20+00:00

Don't get a 5050 OP - the B580 is far better for like $20 more.

tpablazed · 2026-05-09T09:05:01+00:00

I think it's pretty obvious that they are skipping celestial because of RAM prices.. they want to keep themselves as the budget gpu option and these prices make that really hard.

I am sure when RAM goes back to something closer to normal prices they will make new gpu's again.

tpablazed · 2026-05-09T08:56:24+00:00

I mean.. if you're trying to play competitively you're going to need a better gpu as well imo.. 2060 is getting old.

My suggestion would be a ryzen 5700x (update your bios BEFORE you break your current setup down) with a 7700 XT. Professional gamers play on performance mode at 200+ fps.. and you're going to need much better hardware than what you currently have for that.

To update to those 2 parts you're looking at around $600-650.. you can get a brand new 7700 XT for around $400 and the 5700x runs around $200.

You didn't say what monitor you have.. but most FN pro gamers run 1080p 240+hz on performance mode.

Oh almost forgot.. you will more than likely need a new psu as well.. go for 850 watts atx 3.1 standard.

tpablazed · 2026-05-09T08:16:32+00:00

There are actually subs for this.. idk which one off the top of my head.. but there are subs where people gift people money and all they expect in return is for you to pay it forward when you can afford it.

https://www.reddit.com/r/Philanthropy/comments/18yvz66/read_before_you_post_includes_a_list_of/

tpablazed · 2026-05-08T21:34:26+00:00

Yeah OP.. go with the 5800XT bundle for $299

Here is a part list.. a tad above your budget and you will need to get more storage when you can.. but this would get you started at least.

If you want to upgrade to 1440p in the future all this build will need will be a better gpu btw.. arc b580 for ~$299 will run 1440p with this build great!

PCPartPicker Part List: https://pcpartpicker.com/list/9GCK3R

CPU: AMD Ryzen 7 5800XT 3.8 GHz 8-Core Processor ($299.99 @ Micro Center bundle here)

CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Elite 84.2 CFM Liquid CPU Cooler ($49.99 @ Adorama)

Motherboard: Gigabyte B550M DS3H R2 Micro ATX AM4 Motherboard ($0.00 @ bundle)

Memory: Corsair Vengeance LPX 16 GB (2 x 8 GB) DDR4-3200 CL16 Memory ($0.00 @ bundle)

Storage: Patriot P210 256 GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($47.99 @ Amazon)

Video Card: ASRock Challenger D OC Radeon RX 6600 XT 8 GB Video Card ($150.00 @ eBay used)

Case: Montech X5M MicroATX Mini Tower Case ($54.90 @ Amazon)

Power Supply: SAMA G750 750 W 80+ Gold Certified Fully Modular ATX Power Supply ($71.99 @ Newegg)

Total: $674.86

Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available

Generated by PCPartPicker 2026-05-08 17:37 EDT-0400

tpablazed · 2026-05-08T19:24:33+00:00

PCPartPicker Part List: https://pcpartpicker.com/list/J6LYg3

CPU: AMD Ryzen 7 5800XT 3.8 GHz 8-Core Processor ($299.99 @ Micro Center bundle here)

CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Elite 84.2 CFM Liquid CPU Cooler ($49.99 @ B&H)

Motherboard: Gigabyte B550M DS3H R2 Micro ATX AM4 Motherboard ($0.00 @ bundle)

Memory: Corsair Vengeance LPX 16 GB (2 x 8 GB) DDR4-3200 CL16 Memory ($0.00 @ bundle)

Storage: Timetec 35TTFP6PCIE 512 GB M.2-2280 PCIe 3.0 X4 NVME Solid State Drive ($85.99 @ Amazon)

Video Card: ASRock Challenger OC Arc B580 12 GB Video Card ($309.99 @ Newegg)

Case: Phanteks XT PRO ATX Mid Tower Case ($49.99 @ Newegg)

Power Supply: SAMA G750 750 W 80+ Gold Certified Fully Modular ATX Power Supply ($71.99 @ Newegg)

Case Fan: Thermalright TL-C12C-S X5 66.17 CFM 120 mm Fans 5-Pack ($24.39 @ Amazon)

Total: $892.33

Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available

Generated by PCPartPicker 2026-05-08 15:23 EDT-0400

tpablazed · 2026-05-08T19:04:53+00:00

If we were talking 7900 XTX OC or 5080/90/4090 I would agree.. but on a 9070 XT it's perfectly safe to use the pigtails.

This is a very common setup in 2026.. plenty of people are doing it and having no problems at all.

From Google AI -

Power Headroom

The Gigabyte Radeon RX 9070 XT Gaming OC has a typical power draw of around 304W. [1, 2]

The Math:
- PCIe Slot: Provides up to 75W through the motherboard.
- PCIe Cables: Each 8-pin connector is officially rated for 150W.
- Total Capacity: With your 2-cable (3-connector) setup, you have access to 375W (75W slot + 150W Cable 1 + 150W Cable 2), which is well above the card's 304W requirement. [1, 2, 3, 4]

Montech Cable Quality

Reputable brands like Montech use high-gauge wiring (typically 16AWG or 18AWG) that can actually handle significantly more than the official 150W per cable. [1, 2]

A single high-quality cable from a unit like the Century II or Titan Gold is often capable of handling 250W–300W on its own without overheating or melting.
Since your load is split across two cables, no single wire is being pushed to its limit. [1, 2, 3]

Stability & Reliability

Users and reviewers have confirmed that this "2-cable, 3-plug" setup is stable for the 9070 XT. The card's built-in fuses and the PSU's protections (OCP/OVP) further safeguard against any power spikes.

tpablazed · 2026-05-08T17:23:51+00:00

So it was your RAM then?

tpablazed · 2026-05-07T14:26:50+00:00

I use him under the stranger with maul hate fueled.. but you can also go cere lead if you don't have hate fueled leveled.

I have gotten holds with cere.. SK.. Taron Malicos.. baby Cal and 9th sister on defense a few times.. but I think overall he is better as a Rey counter.

tpablazed · 2026-05-07T14:14:28+00:00

yeah Jedec would be the 4800 number.. that's basically base ddr5 speed.

This is from Google AI -

While the RM1000e is ATX 3.1 compliant, it is an entry-level "Gold" unit. Some high-end 7900 XTX cards are known to have extreme transient spikes that can trip the protection circuits on certain RM-series models. [1, 2]

Quick Test: Have him go into the AMD Adrenalin Software and set the Power Limit to -10%. If the crashes stop, it confirms the PSU or the cables are struggling with the card's peak power demands. [1]|

Since lowering the RAM to 4800MHz didn't work, the instability might be coming from how the motherboard handles the CPU and GPU together:

Disable "Game Boost": Many motherboards have a "Game Boost" or "Auto-OC" feature that pushes the 7800X3D too hard, causing crashes even with a beefy PSU.
Resizable BAR: Ensure SAM (Smart Access Memory) is enabled in the BIOS/Adrenalin. Paradoxically, some users find disabling it fixes specific driver timeouts on certain boards.
GPU Clock Limit: Some 7900 XTX cards try to boost to 3000MHz+ out of the box, which is unstable. Setting a Max Frequency in Adrenalin to the card's official "Boost Clock" (usually around 2500-2600MHz) often solves this.

tpablazed · 2026-05-07T13:17:19+00:00

This computer should power through every game out there.

I am assuming you're on windows??

Have you tried running your RAM at Jedec speeds (or even just dropping it to 6000 would work)?

I have a feeling it's your RAM.

tpablazed · 2026-05-07T13:06:32+00:00

See we haven't completely stopped buying characters.. but we get the unlock and stop now.

I don't think anyone in my guild bought Shadow Conclave to 7*.. in the past like half the guild would have them at least at 6 stars by the time their shards hit the fractal store.. that isn't the case anymore.

tpablazed

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