After over five years of use, my old PC featuring an Intel i7 10700K and a 2070 Super was starting to show its age. Whether it was gaming, VR, content creation, or heavy multitasking, the performance was just no longer cutting it. So, I decided it was time for a complete overhaul. Here’s my new PC build that is designed to handle anything I throw at it, whether it’s CAD 3D Modelling, AAA gaming, streaming, or running demanding applications.

Parts Used:

1. AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D – This 16-core beast is built for both gaming and productivity, offering incredible multitasking power.
2. ROG Strix X870E-E – This motherboard has everything needed for high-performance and stability, PCIe 5.0 support and tons of I/O options.
3. Vengeance 32GB DDR5 6000MHz – Speedy RAM that delivers top-tier performance and future-proofing for high-demand workloads.
4. Nautilus 360 RS AIO – A high-quality 360mm AIO cooler to keep my system running cool, even under heavy loads.
5. ASUS 5080 Tuff OC – An overclocked, reliable GPU to handle all my gaming and productivity needs.
6. Samsung 990 PRO M.2 SSD – Ultra-fast storage for games, software, and file management with lightning-fast load times.
7. Corsair 3500x Case – A sleek, spacious case with fantastic airflow and cable management options.
8. RS120 Fan for Exhaust – Adding this extra fan ensures optimal airflow and helps maintain temperatures even in the most demanding tasks.
9. RM850x Power Supply – A reliable, 850W PSU to support all the power-hungry components with efficiency and stability.

Let’s get into the details of how it all came together and how much of a difference this upgrade makes!

Mother Board:

I’ve always trusted ASUS motherboards for both my personal and work PCs, having used models ranging from the Prime to Strix and Hero boards, I’ve consistently been impressed with their reliability and build quality. That’s why I went with the Strix X870E this time. The X870E delivers exceptional performance, supporting the latest AMD Ryzen processors, PCIe 5.0, and fast DDR5 memory. It also features a powerful power delivery system and advanced cooling solutions, making it ideal for high-performance gaming or content creation. Plus, its awesome looking design!

CPU:

Upon reviewing benchmarks and comparisons, it became clear that the latest AMD CPUs outperformed Intel in the areas that matter most to me. With that, choosing AMD was an easy decision. The next challenge was narrowing down the choice between the 9950X3D and the 9800X3D.

The 9800X3D is designed with a gaming focus, while the 9950X3D is a more balanced option, excelling in both productivity and gaming, although it does come in at a higher price. While I almost went with the 9800X3D, I ultimately opted for the 9950X3D, as my needs included heavy productivity tasks alongside gaming. So, the 9950X3D was the better fit for this build.

RAM:

Couple this with 2 x 16GB sticks of Corsairs Vengeance 32GB DDR5 6000MHz RAM (CL30) EXPO, and you’ve got a recipe for a system that can handle pretty much anything you throw at it. The high-speed DDR5 memory is a great match for the Ryzen 9 9950X3D

GPU:

Building the PC, the choice between the 5080 and 5090 graphics cards came down to availability and budget. The ASUS RTX 5080 TUFF OC was one of the few options at the time, making it a solid choice despite the appeal of the 5090. While the 5090 would have been a nice upgrade, its high price and scarcity made it a less practical option. So ultimately, the ASUS GEFORCE RTX 5080 TUFF OC was the final choice for the build.

Storage:

For this build, I’ve chosen to use three M.2 Gen-4 SSDs, keeping my drives separated for better organization. I’ve allocated a 2TB drive for the operating system and software, another 2TB for gaming, and a 1TB drive specifically for daily work tasks. In the future, I plan to upgrade the OS drive to Gen-5 and repurpose the current 2TB drive for work. If you prefer a single drive solution, a 4TB SSD would be more than sufficient for all your needs.

Cooling:

However, it’s not just about raw performance, cooling is key. The Ryzen 9 9950X3D can run pretty hot, especially under heavy loads, with a thermal limit of 95°C, at which point the processor will reduce frequency to avoid overheating. So I made sure to invest in a large 360mm AIO cooling solution. This is the Corsair Nautilus 360 RS AIO, a straightforward, sleek, all-black cooler with black fans. I opted for this one to avoid a case full of RGB lighting. It comes with brackets for AMD and Intel, and pre-applied thermal paste. Just attach the 3 fans with bolts, install the stand-offs and bracket and its ready to install.

Power Supply:

For the power supply, I decided to go with the CORSAIR RM850x Fully Modular Power Supply, this will cover the system’s estimated power consumption of 676W. Its a fully modular design which helps keep my build clean and organized with less cable clutter. Another great feature is the Zero RPM Fan Mode, which makes the PSU practically silent when the load is light, reducing noise levels during everyday tasks.

Case

As anyone who’s built their own PC knows, choosing the right case is crucial. It’s not just about aesthetics it’s also about functionality, airflow, and ease of use. After some research and browsing, I landed on the Corsair RGB. The case is incredibly easy to maintain, thanks to its tool-less panel removal and excellent cable management system. There’s plenty of room inside, providing ample space for large GPUs and future upgrades, while also supporting efficient airflow and cooling. This case also has a built in sag support for the GPU, but unfortunately the 5080 was too big to allow it to fit as intended. By the way it doesn’t include a rear exhaust fan, so I also added an RS120 fan to the build.

GPU Sag Fix – The RTX 5080 TUFF is a heavy card, the sag was fixed by using the case GPU support with the bolt removed. This was a perfect fit

Build and Performance

The build process for this PC went smoothly, with the case offering plenty of space and tool-less panel removal for ease of assembly. It’s important to note that on this MB (X870E-E), the PCIe slot for the GPU will share bandwidth with two of the M.2 slots found directly above the card, so best to install SSD in one of the other 3 free slots like I have with this build for full bandwidth.

The GPU support bracket included with the case posed a challenge with the bulky 5080 GPU, but removing a bolt allowed it to fit under the GPU for support.

I also turned off the fan RGBs at night, as they were bit too much for my liking!

In terms of performance, the PC handles everything effortlessly, from productivity tasks to video editing, and gaming, it just blasts through everything. Also while achieving good frame rates on high to max settings in most games. My VR testing experience with the Pimax Crystal Light was equally fantastic, providing smooth, immersive performance. Overall, I’m extremely satisfied with the build and its going to be a great PC for work and play!

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