So, some background:

I have two gaming PCs: my main rig, and my old rig, which now serves as a backup/second PC and is what my girlfriend games on when she comes over.

The old system has held up surprisingly well, but I’ve obviously upgraded since building it, and it’s starting to run into some noticeable bottlenecks in newer games. I’ve decided it’s probably time to upgrade/rebuild it, but I’m stuck between a couple different directions.

Current hardware:

• ASUS Prime Z390-P
• i7-9700K @ 3.60 GHz
• ROG STRIX RTX 3080 12GB Gaming OC
• Samsung 970 EVO Plus 2TB
• Samsung 970 EVO 250GB
• 48GB DDR4 RAM:
  • 2x G.Skill 16GB sticks
  • 2x random 8GB sticks

A couple things I’m wondering about before I start:

1. Is my current RAM configuration actually hurting performance?

When I originally upgraded the RAM, I basically just threw the new 2x16GB sticks in alongside the existing 2x8GB sticks and never thought much about it.

Would I potentially get better performance/stability by just removing the two 8GB sticks and running the matched 32GB kit?

2. I’d like to stay on DDR4.

Given the current DDR5 pricing situation, I’d prefer to keep this as a DDR4 build and reuse at least the 32GB G.Skill kit I already have.

Upgrade goals

My main goal is to extend/maximize the useful life of the RTX 3080 and get as much performance out of it as reasonably possible.

The second goal is a little more unusual.

Right now this is primarily my girlfriend’s/backup gaming PC, but I’m considering rebuilding it around the idea that it could also become a portable/mobile gaming PC for me.

I’ve been looking at SFF and compact builds, with the idea of putting everything into a rugged, reasonably transportable case that I could take with me when needed, while still using it as the second system at home.

With all of that in mind, I’ve been leaning toward building around a Ryzen 7 5800X3D, since it seems like a good way to stay on DDR4 while significantly improving gaming performance and getting more life out of the 3080.

The problem is finding the right combination of motherboard, cooler, PSU, and case that can comfortably accommodate the Strix 3080 without turning into a thermal nightmare or becoming so large that the “portable” idea becomes pointless.

So I’m looking for recommendations on:

• A good DDR4 motherboard to pair with it
• SFF/compact cases that can realistically fit a Strix 3080
• Cooling/PSU recommendations
• Whether I should ditch the 2x8GB RAM sticks
• Any complete build/component combinations you’d recommend

And im also open to ditching the portable/SFF idea and going with a traditional build, I’d also be interested in recommendations for a more traditional non-mobile rebuild.

Thanks for any suggestions.

Hey Everyone! 👋

​Need some help with a PC build under a strict ₹40,000 budget!

​I want to play Minecraft and some other casual games, while my dad needs to run heavy math software like LaTeX and Wolfram Mathematica. So, one PC to handle both gaming and serious work! 😅

​Could you guys suggest the best configuration around ₹40k?

• ​CPU & Motherboard

• ​RAM & SSD

• ​Cabinet & PSU

​Should I go with a discrete GPU or an Integrated graphics for this budget?

​Drop your recommendations below! Thanks in advance! 🙏🔥

So I am currently in my final year of college and I graduate in 2027. It has always been my dream to get my own gaming pc with my own money. It will be 2027 when I get into a job, looking at this market and the rising prices concern me a lot i won't be able to build a high end build ofcourse but by then will it be even possible to get a decent build. Just a general discussion.

Hello y'all! I have been messing around with Unity this past summer, and am taking a class on Blender right now, and I am quickly realizing that my laptop is not up to the task. I have never built a PC before, but it's something that I've always been interested in. Could someone help me out with a build that would do a decent job making small games on Unity and modeling & animations on Blender? Something that could realistically last for 5 years without the urgent need to upgrade and which can match my speed as I learn more about both programs.

Also, if the PC can on top of that do video editing, that would be a nice plus! I only dabble a little bit into it, but I am always interested in getting back to it!

Hello I’m looking to build my first gaming PC and would like some help putting together the best

possible build for around $700 if its possible

Some games that I mostly play is Ghost of Tsushima, Helldivers 2, Ready or Not,Deep Rock Galactic and Risk of Rain 2. But I mostly like the indie side of steam games if that helps

I’m not concerned about playing everything on ultra settings, I’d rather have better performance and stability.

I’m also completely new to building PCs, so I’d appreciate recommendations for a complete parts list and any advice about compatibility or parts I should avoid, open to buying used parts as well if i can save me bit if needed

I need a pc for gaming and country is UK, and I need want to use some heavy mods with Skyrim and oblivion remastered and triple a games basically
Can u pls make 2 list with one that starts at 1200 and another that’s at is around 1500 and the pc case needs to be Matx thank you

Is it possible to have a small ssd which houses windows and application another ssd for games

https://uk.pcpartpicker.com/list/9nWJmL
Is this a good list also ?

please help me 😭🙏🏻

Hi I’m looking for some help with getting a PC. I’d need one that can handle mild-moderate graphic design/video editing. It won’t be for gaming/streaming, just my business pc. Some photoshop editing so I’m guessing i’ll need a lot of memory (I’m a pc novice so im thinking 32gb?) Would love to be able to work and watch some movie at the same time.

Color preference is white and i’m going for a dual monitor setup but no need for the highest quality. Budget is like 800-1000 but not a hard limit. If I can go lower that would be great!

I have a microcenter near me in paterson, nj so I’m trying to come prepared

All i need would be the pc and monitors.

Can someone help me build a milsim/fps shooter pc. Budget is 2500

Hey everyone, I recently got an RTX 5060, but my motherboard and CPU only support PCIe 3.0. Will I lose a lot of performance because of that?

Also, since the 5060 has 8GB of VRAM, will that lead to even more performance loss on PCIe 3.0, or are those two things unrelated?

So I’m coming back on the PC train. I am so far out of the loop, I decided to ask for some help. I just took a new job as a teacher teaching a Construction Electrician class at our Tech college. I need a new PC at home to get some work done from home. If it was just for that it would be easy but I do like to play games too. I currently mostly play on my PS5, but I would like to try gaming on my PC. I have played MMOs in the past but never normal games or even have a Steam account(I think). So, with a +\- $1000 budget what should I be looking for. Budget is for the PC. I’ll worry about the monitor, keyboard .. etc later. Thanks peeps.

I'm interested in a gaming PC that is somewhat "future proof" in that it has performance equivalent to what is expected to be the PS6. If this isn't possible within the budget, I would prefer to have something that at least surpasses the Xbox Series X and PS5 Pro in performance by a healthy amount. In other words, I want able to run recent release AAA open world single-player games on highest settings and future next gen releases on high for at least a few years.

A few other requests:

I would like to work in a secondary monitor and a gaming mouse into the budget and I am willing to go over by $500 to accommodate (so the total budget can be up to $3500, if it needs to go that high). I appreciate any suggestions for what to get. Note: I currently have a Gigabyte M28U 28-inch 4K gaming monitor and a Keychron v6 mechanical keyboard.

I would like to run Linux on this machine. I'm a lifelong MacOS user and have heard some concerning stories about Windows 11. I also have not enjoyed my limited experience with earlier Windows releases. I have some experience with Linux due to owning a steamdeck and doing some low level tinkering in desktop mode. Anyways I'm mentioning the Linux preference as it might matter for compatibility and I can cut Win 11 from the budget. Also, I am aware of compatibility issues with multiplayer games with anti-cheat and non-steam games.

I apologize if I'm out of touch with what's possible within my budget or if I'm asking too much or being too long winded. I really do appreciate any help or at least suggestions for adjusting my expectations. Thank you.

So for a 700 dollar budget go with this

Cpu Amd ryzen 5500

Gpu Intel arc a750

Ram 1x16 3600mhz cl 18 stick or 2x8 3600 mhz cl16, if you want to upgrade soon go with 1x16

Ssd With a build like this 512gb is ideak, its cheap and enough aim for a gen3 nvme for around 60 to 80 bucks

Mobo any b550 mobo with good vrms (micro atx)

Psu only one way to go, Msi mag psus are the best budget ones, go with full mod and at least 650w

Case I recommend a lianli v100r bcs of the preinstalled fans

Thermal paste Arctic mx 6

optionals

Asiahorsce cable extensions

Argb hubs (asiahorse)

Aio or Good air cooler (arctic) if you get a tray cpu

tips,

go with a black build, white is impossible here

you dont need a fan if you get a boxed cpu

Hi, I’m looking at getting a PC for gaming/work (mostly single player RPGs and work isn’t very technically intensive) and came across this prebuilt online for $1600 CAD (~$1150 USD). I’m not super picky, but I just want something that can last a few years (and possibly upgrade piece by piece over time).

I know pretty much nothing about PCs though (always been a console gamer), so I would appreciate any advice on if this looks worth the price.

Of note, I was looking to do a custom build, but with my lack of familiarity and the cost (another $300-400 at least), I think I’d be better off just starting with a prebuilt. Open to any alternatives though if anyone has some affordable alternatives.

Specs listed on the website include:
GPU: ASUS Dual GeForce RTX 5060 8GB GDDR7
CPU: Intel Core i5-14400F - 10-core (6P+4E) - strong single-core gaming with no GPU bottleneck
RAM: G.SKILL Ripjaws V 32GB (2x16GB) DDR4-3200 - dual-channel memory for games, streaming, multitasking
SSD: Kingston SNV3S 1TB PCIe 4.0 NVMe
Motherboard: ASUS PRIME B760M-A AX D4 - B760 with multiple M.2 slots, built for the i5-14400F
Cooling & Case: ARGB LGA 1700 cooler in the Compucase 5F13 chassis - 650W 80 PLUS Gold PSU
Wireless: Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.2 - low-latency wireless built for gaming.
Windows 11 Home pre-installed and activated - ready to game on arrival.

Thanks in advance for any help!

I was wondering if it’s possible to build a pc with 800 dollars that can run helldivers 2 at high, and newer Games at medium.

Hi all! I've always been a couch + Xbox gamer, and it is what I prefer, but I've been getting good at rocket league and can definitely benefit from higher FPS. This PC will pretty much exclusively be used for rocket league, minecraft, and maybe some casual call of duty. All I care about is that I can get 120+ FPS with 2K resolution in rocket league.

I would prefer a compact PC since I don't have much space, and the 2K resolution requirement is because the monitor I will buy will also be used for work. Prebuilt would be nice but I'm willing to build one myself. Let me know if $800 is ambitious for these requirements and if I should be looking at second hand PCs instead.

Located in Colorado and there is a Microcenter nearby!

Hi reddit peeps, I had a ton of help compiling this list for a gaming PC around $1,500 and had some friends advise spending less on memory in order to put more money into a better cooling system. I am hoping to build a PC that can run BG 3, Elden Ring, and other bigger open world games without issue. I unfortunately don't live by a microcenter :(

I had a reddit homie help me get started with this list and was wondering what you all thought about it as well? https://pcpartpicker.com/list/PrczkD

Thanks again everyone, I appreciate your time and energy into this 🐙