New The PC Build Thread

Neoprod said:
The transition has been lightning quick...data center revenue has grown like a 1000% in the last couple years while the gaming side has stagnated. It's not hard to see why they'd rather channel their output to the professional space where they get more per mm wafer space than in the consumer market.

View attachment 1802069

Say what you like about the BS Jensen spills but he knows how to make a dollar.
Click to expand...
Oh absolutely no question.

Consumer graphics is merely a thing for Nvidia now, it's not their driver anymore.
 
Lian Li 011 Dynamic Evo or (what)?

Been trying to decide for 2 days now but cant make up my mind. VGA support bracket is a requirement but on the other hand I would prefer something smaller (L) because this thing is actually going to be a tight fit (entertainment unit and not on desk).

Don't want to vertical mount it either (I want to push air straight in).

The Antec C5 is out. Can't get VGA support bracket in there as the bottom fans are in the way.

Chip in please.
 
Last edited:
Rayne said:
Lian Li 011 Dynamic Evo or (what)?

Been trying to decide for 2 days now but cant make up my mind. VGA support bracket is a requirement but on the other hand I would prefer something smaller (L) because this thing is actually going to be a tight fit (entertainment unit and not on desk).

Don't want to vertical mount it either (I want to push air straight in).

The Antec C5 is out. Can't get VGA support bracket in there as the bottom fans are in the way.

Chip in please.
Click to expand...

The 2 cases you mentioned are normal-sized (actually kinda large for ATX cases) - without knowing what you're intending to stick in the case, it's hard to say but if I wanted small, I'd be looking at the Deepcool CH160 or the Lian Li A3 matx.

What's with the GPU support bracket as a requirement? You can rig up a support pretty easily with stuff lying around the house to address sag or are you planning on moving the case around often?
 
Neoprod said:
The 2 cases you mentioned are normal-sized (actually kinda large for ATX cases) - without knowing what you're intending to stick in the case, it's hard to say but if I wanted small, I'd be looking at the Deepcool CH160 or the Lian Li A3 matx.

What's with the GPU support bracket as a requirement? You can rig up a support pretty easily with stuff lying around the house to address sag or are you planning on moving the case around often?
Click to expand...
I probably wasn't clear - I am currently using Micro-ATX and want to move to a "fish tank" ATX. Been using traditional cases all my life might as well switch things up. B850 ASUS/MSI Tomahawk + Arctic Freezer 3 + 9070 XT goes in.

Clear case means winging it with a DIY is out. Dark black + solid dim white/blue RGB + front temp LCD is the idea. It's for my peace of mind. Will only move it when I need to blow dust out.
 
https://twitter.com/x/status/1898025088349241589

The world's best processor for gaming and content creation is almost here. Available starting March 12th

Ryzen 9 9950X3D - $699
Ryzen 9 9900X3D - $599

A huge thank you to our incredible community of gamers, creators, and innovators for your continued support. Together, we’re shaping the future of gaming and content creation! Let’s level up together!
Click to expand...

Same price as previous-gen IIRC.
 
Slckrck said:
I get the feeling, those prices are just a suggestion given how much overpriced the graphics cards are now.....60-90% over recommended? Jesus take the wheel 😁
Click to expand...

Apparently there's not a huge difference between the 9800x3d and the 9950x3d when it comes to Gaming.

The extra cores on the 9950x3d does not improve FPS in games much. It does however make productivity tasks quicker.
 
Longboi said:
Apparently there's not a huge difference between the 9800x3d and the 9950x3d when it comes to Gaming.

The extra cores on the 9950x3d does not improve FPS in games much. It does however make productivity tasks quicker.
Click to expand...
it's essentially a 9800X3D but with an extra 8 cores of 'normal' L3 cache.
Gaming, best case should perform the same unless the game is hilariously multithreaded.
 
I have long moaned about AMD not having a provisioning package at a layer end to handle 2 CCDs with V-cache, well:


AMD preparing updates for 12+ core Ryzen X3D CPUs with Zen5​

AMD has briefed the media on upcoming changes to the chipset drivers.

...

The first change for Provisioning Packages Services is that the service will automatically check on each system boot if the processor has been changed. This will simplify testing for reviewers, and upgrades for end users will no longer require reinstalling Windows, claims AMD. The 3D V-Cache Performance Optimizer was updated to properly work in Windows 10 with VBS enabled.
Click to expand...

Why is it only being done now? Only AMD will know, since provisioning is done with Threadripper. Yes, some vendors did introduce some tricks into their BIOSes, but it wasn't a solution. Besides even using something that completely disables 1 CCD and SMT, you still need to reboot every time and enable it when you need it. Provisioning at an instruction level is simply better. Using third-party process optimisation solutions is not ideal, nor optimal. The same with the Windows Game Bar. It needs to happen at the layers.

Were the 9950X3D reviewed with this update? It should be. In theory, this should also work on the 7900X3D and 7950X3D. From what I have read, AMD has not mentioned Ryzen 7000 CPUs anywhere in its release docs. Lol, the sandbagging.

EDIT: At this time, no new chipset drivers have been released, unless these updates are already contained within 7.02.13.148.
 
Thinking of doing a new PC build over the next few months and want to pick up parts when I see any good deals.

Saw a review and case does look intresting, anyone tried it or micro atx cases ? Seem like a better option than the Fractal terra I was looking at ? Overall budget probably 15-20k, bascially looking to assemble the best bang for buck rig that can fit into a moden home.

 
Got this from Grok, pretty cool starting point

Let’s build you a "best bang for buck" PC using South African pricing, with the Lian Li G99.A3X-WD.00 A3-mATX Wood Edition Mesh Black Steel Micro-ATX Mini-Tower Desktop Chassis as the centerpiece. This case is a compact, stylish Micro-ATX option with good airflow and support for decent hardware, so we’ll aim for a balanced build that maximizes performance per rand spent. The focus will be on gaming and general productivity, keeping costs reasonable while leveraging local availability and pricing trends as of March 13, 2025.

I’ll base this on pricing from popular South African retailers like Wootware, Evetech, and PC International, which are known for competitive deals. Since I don’t have real-time access to their exact stock or daily specials, I’ll estimate based on typical pricing for components in South Africa, adjusted for the current date and market. The build will prioritize value, meaning mid-range parts with strong performance rather than bleeding-edge tech. Let’s dive in!
Build Specifications
Case: Lian Li G99.A3X-WD.00 A3-mATX Wood Edition Mesh Black Steel Micro-ATX Mini-Tower Desktop Chassis
  • Price: ~R2,000 (based on Wootware’s listing for similar Lian Li A3 models, e.g., G99.A3W.00 at R1,999).
  • Why: You chose this case, and it’s a solid pick—26.3L volume, supports Micro-ATX and ITX motherboards, 415mm GPU clearance, and up to a 360mm radiator. The wood accent adds flair, and the mesh design ensures good thermals.
CPU: AMD Ryzen 5 5600X
  • Price: ~R3,500 (often discounted to around R3,200-R3,600 at Wootware or Evetech).
  • Why: This 6-core, 12-thread CPU offers excellent gaming and multitasking performance for the price. It’s a previous-gen chip, but in South Africa, it’s widely available and cheaper than the newer Ryzen 5 7600 (which requires DDR5 RAM and pricier motherboards). Pairing it with a decent GPU keeps costs down while delivering great 1080p or 1440p gaming.
Motherboard: MSI B550M PRO-VDH WIFI
  • Price: ~R2,500 (typically R2,300-R2,700 at Wootware or PC International).
  • Why: A reliable Micro-ATX board with built-in Wi-Fi, four RAM slots, and solid VRM for the Ryzen 5 5600X. B550 chipsets strike a sweet spot for value, supporting PCIe 4.0 (for faster SSDs and GPUs) without the higher cost of X570 or newer AM5 platforms.
GPU: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060 12GB
  • Price: ~R6,500 (often R6,000-R7,000 depending on brand, e.g., Palit or ASUS at Evetech).
  • Why: The RTX 3060 12GB is a value king in South Africa. It handles 1080p ultra and 1440p medium-high settings well, with 12GB VRAM giving it an edge over the 8GB RTX 3060 Ti for future-proofing. Ray tracing and DLSS are bonuses, and it fits the case’s 415mm GPU limit (most models are ~300mm long).
RAM: Kingston Fury Beast 16GB (2x8GB) DDR4-3200
  • Price: ~R1,200 (R1,100-R1,300 at Wootware or Computermania).
  • Why: 16GB is the sweet spot for gaming and multitasking in 2025. DDR4-3200 offers good speed for Ryzen 5000 CPUs, and dual-channel (2x8GB) maximizes performance. DDR5 is too expensive in SA right now for a budget build.
Storage: Kingston NV2 1TB NVMe SSD
  • Price: ~R1,400 (R1,300-R1,500 at Evetech or Wootware).
  • Why: A 1TB NVMe SSD provides fast load times and ample space for games and OS. The NV2 is a budget-friendly PCIe 4.0 drive (though limited to 3.0 speeds on B550), offering great value over SATA SSDs or smaller capacities.
PSU: Cooler Master MWE 650W 80+ Bronze
  • Price: ~R1,300 (R1,200-R1,400 at Dreamware or Wootware).
  • Why: 650W is enough for this build (RTX 3060 recommends 550W), with headroom for upgrades. Bronze efficiency keeps costs down, and the A3-mATX case supports ATX PSUs up to 220mm (this is ~160mm). Non-modular is fine for the price, though cable management will need care in this compact case.
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 Black Edition
  • Price: ~R700 (R650-R800 at Wootware or PC International).
  • Why: The Ryzen 5 5600X stock cooler is decent, but the Hyper 212 is quieter and better for sustained loads. It fits the case’s 165mm cooler height limit and offers great cooling for the price.
Optional Case Fans: 2x Arctic P12 PWM 120mm
  • Price: ~R400 (R180-R200 each at Wootware).
  • Why: The A3-mATX supports up to 10x 120mm fans. Adding two for intake (bottom or front) improves airflow with the mesh design. PWM control keeps noise low, and Arctic fans are cheap yet effective.
Total Estimated Cost
  • Case: R2,000
  • CPU: R3,500
  • Motherboard: R2,500
  • GPU: R6,500
  • RAM: R1,200
  • Storage: R1,400
  • PSU: R1,300
  • Cooler: R700
  • Fans: R400
  • Total: ~R19,500 (R19,000-R20,000 depending on deals)
Performance Expectations
  • Gaming: At 1080p, expect 100+ FPS in titles like CS2 or Apex Legends on high settings, and 60-80 FPS in AAA games like Cyberpunk 2077 with DLSS. At 1440p, 60+ FPS is achievable with tweaks.
  • Productivity: Handles multitasking, light video editing, and streaming well thanks to 6 cores and 16GB RAM.
  • Thermals: The mesh case plus added fans keeps temps in check, though South Africa’s warm climate might push GPU/CPU to 70-80°C under load—normal for this tier.
Why This is "Best Bang for Buck"
  • CPU/GPU Balance: The Ryzen 5 5600X and RTX 3060 pair well for gaming without overspending on either. Newer CPUs (e.g., Ryzen 7600) require DDR5 and AM5 boards, adding ~R4,000+ to the cost.
  • Local Pricing: South Africa often has higher component prices due to import costs, but this build avoids premium tiers (e.g., RTX 4070 at R12,000+) while delivering 90% of the performance for half the price.
  • Future-Proofing: 1TB SSD, 12GB VRAM, and PCIe 4.0 support give longevity without breaking the bank.
Notes
  • Availability: Check Wootware, Evetech, or PC International for stock. Prices fluctuate, so look for specials (e.g., Wootware’s frequent GPU/CPU bundles).
  • Assembly: The A3-mATX’s compact size means cable management is key—use the case’s tie-down points and plan your build order (PSU first, then motherboard).
  • Upgrades: Swap the GPU for an RTX 4060 (~R7,500) if budget allows, or add more RAM later.
This build keeps you under R20,000, delivering strong performance for the price in South Africa’s market. What do you think—any tweaks you’d like?
 
L-Dog said:
Got this from Grok, pretty cool starting point

Let’s build you a "best bang for buck" PC using South African pricing, with the Lian Li G99.A3X-WD.00 A3-mATX Wood Edition Mesh Black Steel Micro-ATX Mini-Tower Desktop Chassis as the centerpiece. This case is a compact, stylish Micro-ATX option with good airflow and support for decent hardware, so we’ll aim for a balanced build that maximizes performance per rand spent. The focus will be on gaming and general productivity, keeping costs reasonable while leveraging local availability and pricing trends as of March 13, 2025.

I’ll base this on pricing from popular South African retailers like Wootware, Evetech, and PC International, which are known for competitive deals. Since I don’t have real-time access to their exact stock or daily specials, I’ll estimate based on typical pricing for components in South Africa, adjusted for the current date and market. The build will prioritize value, meaning mid-range parts with strong performance rather than bleeding-edge tech. Let’s dive in!
Build Specifications
Case: Lian Li G99.A3X-WD.00 A3-mATX Wood Edition Mesh Black Steel Micro-ATX Mini-Tower Desktop Chassis
  • Price: ~R2,000 (based on Wootware’s listing for similar Lian Li A3 models, e.g., G99.A3W.00 at R1,999).
  • Why: You chose this case, and it’s a solid pick—26.3L volume, supports Micro-ATX and ITX motherboards, 415mm GPU clearance, and up to a 360mm radiator. The wood accent adds flair, and the mesh design ensures good thermals.
CPU: AMD Ryzen 5 5600X
  • Price: ~R3,500 (often discounted to around R3,200-R3,600 at Wootware or Evetech).
  • Why: This 6-core, 12-thread CPU offers excellent gaming and multitasking performance for the price. It’s a previous-gen chip, but in South Africa, it’s widely available and cheaper than the newer Ryzen 5 7600 (which requires DDR5 RAM and pricier motherboards). Pairing it with a decent GPU keeps costs down while delivering great 1080p or 1440p gaming.
Motherboard: MSI B550M PRO-VDH WIFI
  • Price: ~R2,500 (typically R2,300-R2,700 at Wootware or PC International).
  • Why: A reliable Micro-ATX board with built-in Wi-Fi, four RAM slots, and solid VRM for the Ryzen 5 5600X. B550 chipsets strike a sweet spot for value, supporting PCIe 4.0 (for faster SSDs and GPUs) without the higher cost of X570 or newer AM5 platforms.
GPU: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060 12GB
  • Price: ~R6,500 (often R6,000-R7,000 depending on brand, e.g., Palit or ASUS at Evetech).
  • Why: The RTX 3060 12GB is a value king in South Africa. It handles 1080p ultra and 1440p medium-high settings well, with 12GB VRAM giving it an edge over the 8GB RTX 3060 Ti for future-proofing. Ray tracing and DLSS are bonuses, and it fits the case’s 415mm GPU limit (most models are ~300mm long).
RAM: Kingston Fury Beast 16GB (2x8GB) DDR4-3200
  • Price: ~R1,200 (R1,100-R1,300 at Wootware or Computermania).
  • Why: 16GB is the sweet spot for gaming and multitasking in 2025. DDR4-3200 offers good speed for Ryzen 5000 CPUs, and dual-channel (2x8GB) maximizes performance. DDR5 is too expensive in SA right now for a budget build.
Storage: Kingston NV2 1TB NVMe SSD
  • Price: ~R1,400 (R1,300-R1,500 at Evetech or Wootware).
  • Why: A 1TB NVMe SSD provides fast load times and ample space for games and OS. The NV2 is a budget-friendly PCIe 4.0 drive (though limited to 3.0 speeds on B550), offering great value over SATA SSDs or smaller capacities.
PSU: Cooler Master MWE 650W 80+ Bronze
  • Price: ~R1,300 (R1,200-R1,400 at Dreamware or Wootware).
  • Why: 650W is enough for this build (RTX 3060 recommends 550W), with headroom for upgrades. Bronze efficiency keeps costs down, and the A3-mATX case supports ATX PSUs up to 220mm (this is ~160mm). Non-modular is fine for the price, though cable management will need care in this compact case.
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 Black Edition
  • Price: ~R700 (R650-R800 at Wootware or PC International).
  • Why: The Ryzen 5 5600X stock cooler is decent, but the Hyper 212 is quieter and better for sustained loads. It fits the case’s 165mm cooler height limit and offers great cooling for the price.
Optional Case Fans: 2x Arctic P12 PWM 120mm
  • Price: ~R400 (R180-R200 each at Wootware).
  • Why: The A3-mATX supports up to 10x 120mm fans. Adding two for intake (bottom or front) improves airflow with the mesh design. PWM control keeps noise low, and Arctic fans are cheap yet effective.
Total Estimated Cost
  • Case: R2,000
  • CPU: R3,500
  • Motherboard: R2,500
  • GPU: R6,500
  • RAM: R1,200
  • Storage: R1,400
  • PSU: R1,300
  • Cooler: R700
  • Fans: R400
  • Total: ~R19,500 (R19,000-R20,000 depending on deals)
Performance Expectations
  • Gaming: At 1080p, expect 100+ FPS in titles like CS2 or Apex Legends on high settings, and 60-80 FPS in AAA games like Cyberpunk 2077 with DLSS. At 1440p, 60+ FPS is achievable with tweaks.
  • Productivity: Handles multitasking, light video editing, and streaming well thanks to 6 cores and 16GB RAM.
  • Thermals: The mesh case plus added fans keeps temps in check, though South Africa’s warm climate might push GPU/CPU to 70-80°C under load—normal for this tier.
Why This is "Best Bang for Buck"
  • CPU/GPU Balance: The Ryzen 5 5600X and RTX 3060 pair well for gaming without overspending on either. Newer CPUs (e.g., Ryzen 7600) require DDR5 and AM5 boards, adding ~R4,000+ to the cost.
  • Local Pricing: South Africa often has higher component prices due to import costs, but this build avoids premium tiers (e.g., RTX 4070 at R12,000+) while delivering 90% of the performance for half the price.
  • Future-Proofing: 1TB SSD, 12GB VRAM, and PCIe 4.0 support give longevity without breaking the bank.
Notes
  • Availability: Check Wootware, Evetech, or PC International for stock. Prices fluctuate, so look for specials (e.g., Wootware’s frequent GPU/CPU bundles).
  • Assembly: The A3-mATX’s compact size means cable management is key—use the case’s tie-down points and plan your build order (PSU first, then motherboard).
  • Upgrades: Swap the GPU for an RTX 4060 (~R7,500) if budget allows, or add more RAM later.
This build keeps you under R20,000, delivering strong performance for the price in South Africa’s market. What do you think—any tweaks you’d like?
Click to expand...

@Progenix Oj101
 
ShloshMalosh said:
@Progenix Oj101
Click to expand...
Lian Li pulled out of SA several years ago so can't help with the case, which the build revolves around. However, here's an idea of how much better you can do for around that price:

Click Me

CPU: Same same
Cooler: Similar performance for half the price
Motherboard: Similar, just losing Wi-Fi (real men use LAN cables)
RAM: Twice the capacity, higher frequency, added RGB
GPU: Far faster
SSD: Almost double the speed
PSU: Similar
Case: M-ATX, but different. Includes 5x fixed-mode RGB fans
 
Progenix Oj101 said:
Lian Li pulled out of SA several years ago so can't help with the case, which the build revolves around. However, here's an idea of how much better you can do for around that price:

Click Me

CPU: Same same
Cooler: Similar performance for half the price
Motherboard: Similar, just losing Wi-Fi (real men use LAN cables)
RAM: Twice the capacity, higher frequency, added RGB
GPU: Far faster
SSD: Almost double the speed
PSU: Similar
Case: M-ATX, but different. Includes 5x fixed-mode RGB fans
Click to expand...

RTX 3060 - gooi that man a prebuilt
 
Progenix Oj101 said:
Lian Li pulled out of SA several years ago so can't help with the case, which the build revolves around. However, here's an idea of how much better you can do for around that price:

Click Me

CPU: Same same
Cooler: Similar performance for half the price
Motherboard: Similar, just losing Wi-Fi (real men use LAN cables)
RAM: Twice the capacity, higher frequency, added RGB
GPU: Far faster
SSD: Almost double the speed
PSU: Similar
Case: M-ATX, but different. Includes 5x fixed-mode RGB fans
Click to expand...
In the cx200m you basically want to use a board where the first pcie slot is the 16x slot to fit the card right at top, otherwise the bottom fans get very close to the card and a slight movement they touch the card. I learned the hard way with rtx 4060 moved a bit in shipping and when it got to client the fans were touching :(

I prefer cx500m, which this not an issue.
 
Gtx Gaming said:
In the cx200m you basically want to use a board where the first pcie slot is the 16x slot to fit the card right at top, otherwise the bottom fans get very close to the card and a slight movement they touch the card. I learned the hard way with rtx 4060 moved a bit in shipping and when it got to client the fans were touching :(

I prefer cx500m, which this not an issue.
Click to expand...
A good number of builds with the CX200M since October and no issues to date /shrug

The 500 loses two fans, and moves the top fans to the right side, and is both taller and wider (approaching full ATX size). It's not everyone's cup of tea.

With all that said, my link is a point of reference - whenever I make recommendations it's supposed to be the starting point, not necessarily the final result.
 
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