Octopus Overlords

I've been watching a lot of computer build videos recently and thought it would be fun to build my own to replace my CyberPower build from 2015. My current build:

CPU: Intel Core i5-6600K CPU @ 3.50 GHz
CPU Cooler: ???
Motherboard: ???
Memory: 16 GB
Storage: Samsung SSD 850 EVO 250GB, Toshiba DT01ACA200 2TB, WDC WD20 EARS-00MVWB0 2TB
Video Card: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 960
Operating System: Windows 10
Monitor: Dell 2407 WFP (60 HZ)
Keyboard: AZZA wired keyboard
Mouse: G502 Hero
Headphones: Platonics Gamecom (from 2010)
Total: ~$1600 without the monitor which was inherited

With the caveat that I can't actually afford this right now, but might be able to buy at least some of it in March, I put together what I feel is a very good, but not top of the line gaming PC. Be interested to hear any thoughts.

PCPartPicker Part List

CPU: AMD Ryzen 9 9950X 4.3 GHz 16-Core Processor ($599.00 @ Amazon)
CPU Cooler: Noctua NH-D15 chromax.black 82.52 CFM CPU Cooler ($119.95 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: MSI MPG X870E CARBON WIFI ATX AM5 Motherboard ($499.99 @ Amazon)
Memory: G.Skill Trident Z5 RGB 64 GB (2 x 32 GB) DDR5-6400 CL32 Memory ($194.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Crucial T705 W/Heatsink 2 TB M.2-2280 PCIe 5.0 X4 NVME Solid State Drive ($281.99 @ Adorama)
Storage: Crucial P3 Plus 4 TB M.2-2280 PCIe 4.0 X4 NVME Solid State Drive ($237.99 @ Amazon)
Video Card: Gigabyte GAMING OC Radeon RX 7900 XTX 24 GB Video Card ($939.99 @ Newegg)
Case: Montech AIR 903 MAX ATX Mid Tower Case ($74.98 @ Amazon)
Power Supply: SeaSonic VERTEX PX-1000 1000 W 80+ Platinum Certified Fully Modular ATX Power Supply ($249.99 @ B&H)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 11 Home Retail - USB 64-bit ($129.99 @ Newegg)
Monitor: Asus ROG Swift OLED PG32UCDM 31.5" 3840 x 2160 240 Hz Monitor ($999.00 @ Amazon)
Keyboard: Logitech G915 Lightspeed RGB Wireless Gaming Keyboard ($139.94 @ Amazon)
Headphones: SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless for PC, PS5, and PS4 Headset ($299.99 @ Amazon)

Total: $4767.79
Generated by PCPartPicker 2024-12-13 18:55 EST-0500

Looks like a great build!

You have a lot of similarities to the system I built back in the spring, and mine absolutely screams...runs anything I've tried without a single hitch at max settings (but not 4K). I chose to go for the color quality and contrast of OLED in ultrawidescreen instead of a 4K monitor and don't regret it at all. Sitting at my desk, my monitor looks incredible. I can't imagine 4K being noticeably different at that size/distance, and I don't have to worry about the overhead of trying to push all those extra pixels. Most recently, I'm playing the new Indiana Jones game with all the settings maxed (full raytracing) at 3440x1440 and consistently run over well over 100fps (typically 120-130s). Personally, I would rather have all the graphical bells and whistles at unnoticeably lower resolution than sacrifice features to run as smoothly at 4K.

My only suggestion would be to consider an all-in-one liquid cooler setup for your CPU instead of the usual air cooler. The Corsair one that I have (Elite LCD XT) was super easy to install and works great. While the fancy LCD screen is unnecessary, the liquid cooler itself is awesome and is a very viable alternative to the heatsink/fan combo. They have options that are actually less expensive than the cooler currently included in your build.

I have three front case fans, one rear, and three fans for the CPU radiator on the top (all Corsair). I never hear a sound even under heavy load, and my CPU temps never go over 56C.

I also have the Arctis Nova Pro headset and it's awesome...not cheap, but it works great and sounds phenomenal for gaming (not bad for music either, but I don't use them for that).

The new nVidia cards are supposed to be released next month, which may lower the price or get you a better card. Trump's tariffs are the big unknown that had me debating a new build this Christmas. Prices could go up another 10% or more, but who the hell knows.

Thanks for the comments!

disarm wrote: Sat Dec 14, 2024 1:32 am You have a lot of similarities to the system I built back in the spring, and mine absolutely screams...runs anything I've tried without a single hitch at max settings (but not 4K). I chose to go for the color quality and contrast of OLED in ultrawidescreen instead of a 4K monitor and don't regret it at all. Sitting at my desk, my monitor looks incredible. I can't imagine 4K being noticeably different at that size/distance, and I don't have to worry about the overhead of trying to push all those extra pixels. Most recently, I'm playing the new Indiana Jones game with all the settings maxed (full raytracing) at 3440x1440 and consistently run over well over 100fps (typically 120-130s). Personally, I would rather have all the graphical bells and whistles at unnoticeably lower resolution than sacrifice features to run as smoothly at 4K.

I looked at Ultrawide, but my desk area is small and I've been considering keeping the old monitor as a side screen. I have a dual setup at work and really miss not having it at home. I also sit really close to my screen and think 4K might make a difference. On the other hand, it seems like my vision continues to get worse as I age so there is likely a non-zero chance that all that detail is completely lost on me. When it comes time to buy, I'll keep the tradeoff in mind.

My only suggestion would be to consider an all-in-one liquid cooler setup for your CPU instead of the usual air cooler. The Corsair one that I have (Elite LCD XT) was super easy to install and works great. While the fancy LCD screen is unnecessary, the liquid cooler itself is awesome and is a very viable alternative to the heatsink/fan combo. They have options that are actually less expensive than the cooler currently included in your build.

I looked at this as well. My concern is the lifespan of an AIO is only about 5 years on average. I know if I successfully build this one, swapping in a new one should be pretty easy, but I also know I haven't tried upgrading anything in my current one in 10 years, so laziness is

I also have the Arctis Nova Pro headset and it's awesome...not cheap, but it works great and sounds phenomenal for gaming (not bad for music either, but I don't use them for that).

Good to hear! I read a bunch, but always nice to hear a real opinion.

DOS=HIGH wrote: Sat Dec 14, 2024 1:48 am The new nVidia cards are supposed to be released next month, which may lower the price or get you a better card. Trump's tariffs are the big unknown that had me debating a new build this Christmas. Prices could go up another 10% or more, but who the hell knows.

The tariff's are my biggest concern. If I had the money, I'd pull the trigger today. Getting the newer NVIDIA or AMD card would be cool, but I expect the price premium (even without the tariff) is going to be hard to justify.

spam removed

I recently did a very similar upgrade. I was looking at the 9950X like you have listed as well, however I opted to go with the 9800X3D. I'm using the same Noctua cooler as you listed and it has been great, with the CPU never going over 71C under load. I toyed with getting an AIO cooler, but after reading tests of the 9800X3D with air coolers I opted to stick with my original plan. This was a great and very noticeable upgrade to my 9900K. Good luck!


PCPartPicker Part List

CPU: AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D 4.7 GHz 8-Core Processor ($740.00 @ Amazon)
CPU Cooler: Noctua NH-D15 chromax.black 82.52 CFM CPU Cooler ($119.95 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: MSI MPG X870E CARBON WIFI ATX AM5 Motherboard ($499.99 @ Amazon)
Memory: G.Skill Trident Z5 Neo 64 GB (2 x 32 GB) DDR5-6000 CL30 Memory ($187.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Samsung 990 Pro 4 TB M.2-2280 PCIe 4.0 X4 NVME Solid State Drive ($319.99 @ Amazon)
Video Card: MSI GAMING X SLIM GeForce RTX 4090 24 GB Video Card ($2579.98 @ Amazon)
Case: Fractal Design North XL ATX Full Tower Case ($358.42 @ Amazon)
Power Supply: SeaSonic FOCUS GX-1000 ATX 3.0 1000 W 80+ Gold Certified Fully Modular ATX Power Supply
Monitor: MSI MPG 321URX QD-OLED 31.5" 3840 x 2160 240 Hz Monitor ($924.99 @ Amazon)
Total: $5731.31
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2024-12-15 20:43 EST-0500

infinitelurker wrote: Sun Dec 15, 2024 9:48 pm I recently did a very similar upgrade. I was looking at the 9950X like you have listed as well, however I opted to go with the 9800X3D. I'm using the same Noctua cooler as you listed and it has been great, with the CPU never going over 71C under load. I toyed with getting an AIO cooler, but after reading tests of the 9800X3D with air coolers I opted to stick with my original plan. This was a great and very noticeable upgrade to my 9900K. Good luck!

I started putting that parts list together right before the 9800X3D came out and was just using the 9950 as a place holder - thank you for reminding me to fix it! Also happy to see the Noctua cooler is a decent solution