Need Help with a PC Build Check…It's Been 20 Years

settings on 01/07/2024 - 17:15
Last edited 01/07/2024 - 17:20 by 1 other user

Hi all, tl;dr: Need help with a 4k build for couch gaming PCPP link

It has been a while since I last built a PC. I have been using Macs and gaming on consoles. I need some advice with my build as a lot has changed.

My intention with this build is for some light couch gaming on a Sony A95L (4K/120 or 1080/120 will work) with a few co-ops here and there. We usually play cozy games, mostly indie titles; no FPS or VR games. The bigger titles would be Baldur's Gate 3 or Horizon Forbidden West.

As this will be in the living space, we have decided to build the PC around a case – Fractal Design Terra. We have carefully considered the components, but we need a sanity check and advice to see if the parts we picked are overkill. Will the 7900XT be sufficient for ray tracing? Looking at the list of games that support ray tracing, there aren't many titles we can see ourselves playing. That said, we want a little bit of future-proofing with this build too.

Here's the PCPartPicker list

Ideally we want to keep it under $3k. $2.5k if possible.

Thanks all!

Computing Computer Desktop Computer

Comments

  • CrispyChrispy on 01/07/2024 - 17:26

    Case fans? It'll be a tight fit but use fan grills and you'll be fine

    • settings on 01/07/2024 - 18:08
      +1

      Good pick up. Will chuck in a bottom case fan.

  • JownehFixIT on 01/07/2024 - 17:34

    My First question (because I don't know) is whether 120hz will travel fine through whatever AVR you have in the set up. I usually opt to chuck PCs directly into whichever TV HDMI port I know will handle the resolution and refresh rate, bypassing the AVR itself. But I've also only ever had previous gen AVRs so don't know what fancy new ones can handle.

    • askbargain on 01/07/2024 - 17:36

      AVRs have been using ARC or eARC for ages.

    • settings on 01/07/2024 - 18:10

      Yes it will. I'm running a Denon X1700H which has 4k/120 support with VRR support.

      • JownehFixIT on 01/07/2024 - 19:04
        +1

        That is so sweet! If I get a minute later I'll check out the parts list 👍

        • settings on 01/07/2024 - 19:08
          +1

          Cheers! Appreciate it.

          • JownehFixIT on 01/07/2024 - 22:00
            +1

            @settings: I think the build list looks pretty slick. I'd want to throw the 7800X3D into it also, just to future proof it a bit more, but I'm not sure if that changes the cpu cooling requirements to the point that low profile heatsink may not cope, or not. Not sure. That case looks sweet, I can see why it's the basis for the build. Should look really nice when it's done.

            • settings on 01/07/2024 - 22:05
              +1

              @JownehFixIT: @JownehFixIT in your opinion, do you think the 7800X3D is worth the extra $300?

              Yeah, thermals were another worry of mine. I’ll look for more builds with that CPU.

              And yes, we would rather take our time to build it out than rush into a build and regret later on (though, I’m mentally preparing myself for some regrets).

              Appreciate you taking your time.

              • JownehFixIT on 02/07/2024 - 00:01

                @settings: I'm only basing the suggestion on a bunch of recent builds from various PC Builders all offering that CPU as a kind of best of the best (for the money) right now. If it were me, depending on how much gaming will be going down at this TV, and for how many years, factoring in players tastes potentially changing over that time, or just wanting to try the occasional AAA title just for the eye candy, I would say it's worth the price bump. But it has to work. And a smaller form factor build should also not sound like a jet taking off, so there's that to consider.

                Looks like someone's already had this chat before: https://www.reddit.com/r/sffpc/comments/13xdu5t/7800x3d_with…

                Looks like it's coolable, but at that noise trade-off perhaps.

  • Nillionaire on 01/07/2024 - 19:03

    Are you set on the case? A friend of mine also has her PC in the living room and it looks really nice but it's a different aesthetic from yours. It looks similar to this if you're curious.

    • settings on 01/07/2024 - 19:12

      Yeah, case is pretty much set (already purchased). That case does look good, but yeah, different aesthetic we’re after.

  • freefall101 on 01/07/2024 - 21:21
    +2

    Will the 7900XT be sufficient for ray tracing? Looking at the list of games that support ray tracing, there aren't many titles we can see ourselves playing. That said, we want a little bit of future-proofing with this build too.

    IMO if you're interested in ray tracing at 4K, you're already doomed with a 7900XT, there's no futureproofing when it already can't deliver 60fps at 4K in CP2077 with full RT on. Even existing games will struggle to hit 120fps at 1080p with RT.

    I'd save the extra to invest down the line or spend the money now on a 4080 if you want to futureproof. Personally I'd do the former, I paid too much for a 3080 thinking I'd use RT then spent way too much time playing with settings in CP2077 getting the right balance of RT and frame rate, when it really didn't deliver that much.

    • settings on 01/07/2024 - 22:14

      Thanks, I’ve been gathering that sentiment about RT with the 7900 XT. Would swap it out to a 4070 Ti Super or a 4080 for the DLSS too. And switch emulation might not be the best on AMD cards.

      RT is not a priority, just a nice to have.

  • Dejy on 01/07/2024 - 21:39
    +2

    Good build, I was a bit worried about the gpu fitting but the case seems to support a GPU up to 322 mm in length.

    The 7900 XT can do ray tracing but its a bit of a performance sink which is the case on all AMD graphics cards currently and Nvidia do ray tracing much better.

    • settings on 01/07/2024 - 22:17
      +1

      Cheers, yeah. The case can barely fit a 4080 FE.

      Will swap the 7900 XT out for a 4070 Ti Super/4080

  • OMGJL on 01/07/2024 - 22:00
    +1

    I personally don't see much problem.

    only thing I'd pay more attention is to factor in RAM temperature in summer, quite a small case with a lot of heat from GPU, if not cooled well might cause instability. You did say you'll looking into adding fans so I think not much to worry..

    • settings on 01/07/2024 - 22:19

      Thanks, good point. Winter now and I forget how hot it can get.

      Definitely will add more case fans if it allows.

  • povogamer on 02/07/2024 - 06:00

    Looks fine. Noctua is not the best when it comes to low profile air coolers, but it really won't matter for cooling the 7600.

    • JownehFixIT on 02/07/2024 - 09:05

      What is the best performing (while remaining quiet) low profile air cooler?

      • povogamer on 02/07/2024 - 18:24
        +3

        Well with low profile the exact height/size matters, but if you have around 53mm clearance, AXP90-X47 FULL (the full copper one). This is 47mm and with sandwich style cases you would want a bit of extra clearance so you don't get turbulence.

        I'm not sure exactly what configuration of the Terra OP will have to use, so I'm not sure if he has the clearance (probably does). But basically, if you don't have the clearance then you would want to choose a smaller graphics card.

        Anyways, the reason I don't recommend it to the OP would be that the AXP90 is not compatible with Asrock AM5 motherboards out of the box. There's a simple mod using M2.5 hex nuts, but the L9a should be fine for 7600.

        Just for SFF things in general, r/sffpc is a pretty good community, as is their discord server.

        • settings on 02/07/2024 - 21:01
          +1

          I might swap the Noctua out for an ID-Cooling 55. I’ve seen some builds with that combination.

          AXP90 is not compatible with Asrock AM5 motherboards out of the box

          Thank you for this. Can’t always rely on PCPP for compatibility.

          Good point, I’ve been browsing that sub for the longest time, didn’t think to join their discord for questions.

          I’ve updated the build to this.

          • povogamer on 02/07/2024 - 23:12
            +2

            @settings: Yep that looks good, forgot to mention ID Cooling as another good option. If it happens that the IS-55 is too tall, you can look to IS-47 XT which is the direct competitor to axp90 x47 FULL (it doesn't perform as well, but the installation/mounting is a lot easier).

            • settings on 03/07/2024 - 07:28

              @povogamer: Cheers. I’ll look into the clearance of the IS-47 XT. Would want to avoid turbulence as much as possible, or at least minimise it.

              That said, I’ll be sitting at least 2m away, so i hope even if there’s any sound, it will not be as audible.

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