AMD 7950X3D & 7900XTX build

[Eldarad]

Hi all

I'm looking to buy a new PC. The main usage is business (accountancy, so nowadays barely more than using a browser most days, but some analysis of large datasets is also needed every so often) and gaming (mostly Paradox strategy games like Crusader Kings 3, and Football Manager, and I also play games like Yakuza Kiwami 2 that will be able to use the GPU and 4K monitor)

I am aware this is a somewhat(!) excessive spec - but buying a new computer is one of the few luxuries where I spend money on myself, and gaming is one of my main hobbies, so I'm happy to spend to get a high-end PC. I'm not a die-hard Team Red supporter, but I'm not keen on giving nvidia my money at the moment.

I couldn't select 6000Mhz RAM in the configurator, do you know if this is out of stock or taken off because of a technical issue?
I read a recent thread about a 7950X3D build so it sounds like I'll need to call PCS to get a bespoke quote.

The max budget on the PC is £3,500.

I am using as my main monitor:
Philips Gaming 32M1N5800A - 32 Inch 4K Monitor, 144Hz

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B09PZ6B41S/

Second monitor: haven't bought yet, thinking of a 24" 1080p monitor, for example: Lenovo L24i-30 24" Full HD IPS Monitor

66BDKAC2UK, Lenovo L24i-30 24" Full HD IPS Monitor | Box.co.uk

www.box.co.uk

Case
CORSAIR 5000D AIRFLOW TEMPERED GLASS GAMING CASE
Processor (CPU)
AMD Ryzen 9 7950X3D 16 Core CPU (4.2GHz-5.7GHz/144MB w/3D V-CACHE/AM5)
Motherboard
ASUS® ROG STRIX X670E-A GAMING WIFI (WIFI 6E, DDR5, PCIe 5.0)
Memory (RAM)
32GB Corsair VENGEANCE RGB DDR5 5600MHz (2 x 16GB)
Graphics Card
24GB AMD RADEON™ RX 7900 XTX - HDMI, DP - DX® 12
Graphics Card Support Bracket
NONE (BRACKET INCLUDED AS STANDARD ON 4070 Ti AND ABOVE)
1st M.2 SSD Drive
500GB SAMSUNG 980 PRO M.2, PCIe NVMe (up to 6900MB/R, 5000MB/W)
1st M.2 SSD Drive
2TB SOLIDIGM P41+ GEN 4 M.2 NVMe PCIe SSD (up to 4125MB/sR, 3325MB/sW)
1st Storage Drive
960GB KINGSTON A400 2.5" SSD, SATA 6 Gb (500MB/R, 450MB/W)
Power Supply
CORSAIR 1000W RMx SERIES™ - MODULAR 80 PLUS GOLD, ULTRA QUIET
Power Cable
1 x 1.5 Metre UK Power Cable (Kettle Lead, 1.0mm Core)
Processor Cooling
CORSAIR iCUE H150i ELITE RGB High Performance CPU Cooler
Thermal Paste
STANDARD THERMAL PASTE FOR SUFFICIENT COOLING
Extra Case Fans
5 x Corsair LL120 RGB LED Fan + Controller Kit
Sound Card
ONBOARD 6 CHANNEL (5.1) HIGH DEF AUDIO (AS STANDARD)
Network Card
ONBOARD 2.5Gbe LAN PORT
USB/Thunderbolt Options
MIN. 2 x USB 3.0 & 2 x USB 2.0 PORTS @ BACK PANEL + MIN. 2 FRONT PORTS
Operating System
Windows 11 Home 64 Bit - inc. Single Licence [KUK-00003]
Operating System Language
United Kingdom - English Language
Windows Recovery Media
Windows 10/11 Multi-Language Recovery Image - Unlimited Downloads from Online Account
Office Software
FREE 30 Day Trial of Microsoft 365® (Operating System Required)
Anti-Virus
NO ANTI-VIRUS SOFTWARE
Browser
Firefox™
Cable Management
3 x PCS 1.5M Zip Cable Tidy - Professional Cable Management
Warranty
3 Year Silver Warranty (1 Year Collect & Return, 1 Year Parts, 3 Year Labour)
Delivery
STANDARD INSURED DELIVERY TO UK MAINLAND (MON-FRI)
Build Time
Standard Build - Approximately 6 to 8 working days

Price: £3,110.00 including VAT and Delivery

Unique URL to re-configure: https://www.pcspecialist.co.uk/saved-configurations/amd-am5-pc/nTR0VZsQ99/

 

[SpyderTracks]

I couldn't select 6000Mhz RAM in the configurator, do you know if this is out of stock or taken off because of a technical issue?

Yes, you're right, it's a technical issue currently. Not sure if you heard but there was a problem with early BIOS on Ryzen X3D chips wher it was allowing too much voltage under certain circumstances and after months could even burn out the CPU. AMD rolled out an emergency patch to limit voltage but it's too aggressive and leads to instability sometimes with 6000MHz RAM, even if it's not clocked at that speed. So for now, PCS have removed it, but AMD are working on a full fix so I'm certain it will become stable in the future. If it were me, I'd still want 6000mhz in there as that really is the optimum for Ryzen

Just be aware with the 5950x3d you have to disable one half of it to game, so you have to manually disable the non 3dx cores each time you want to game otherwise it will often kill performance as windows scheduler currently doesn't know how to apply the game load just to the one 3dx chip. It's essentially one 7800x3d die and then a second that's a normal 7800x.

What a lot of people with that processor do is actually dual boot two instances of windows and have one with the non 3dx cores disabled, it's a good way of managing it.

The build itself, although as you say is overkill, looks well balanced. Be aware also that the AMD GPU drivers can be buggy and require a certain amount of troubleshooting knowledge to get working, far moreso than Nvidia. They're excellent performers though

 

[SpyderTracks]

Looking at your usage, I don't see any reason why you couldn't drop down to the 7800x3D which would give you the gaming optimum...and should be more than capable of handling large data sets from time to time

Fans: This would be my main question mark. The fan and case combination is £203 (£112 for case, £93 for fans and controller). The 5000x is £141 and, even accounting for adding another SP Elite fan for a rear exhaust (£18), means you are spending £40 more for no particular reason, beyond maybe convenience. Plus, adding 5 RGB fans means there is going to be a single one on the side part of the case which will look weird. Personally, I think the 5000x looks better with all the glass and airflow is extremely good...I have it with a 4090 in and it has no issue cooling it. Exhaust-wise, PCS added one of their quiet fans and it performs well

Good spot on the case, totally missed that

I would agree, I think the 7800X3d would be a better fit for your usage, and easier to manage. It’s still enormously powerful.

 

[Eldarad]

Thank you both for the insight. I didn't realise the 7950X3D was so awkward to use, I think you're right that the 7800X3D will do me fine.
For the case, I completely failed to spot that the 5000X existed. I compared the 5000D with the 5000T. You're right that the 5000X looks like it will do the job.
And I definitely do want the 6000Mhz RAM - so I'll give PCS a call on Monday!

 

[Eldarad]

Hi all

As an update, PCS aren't willing to sell 6000Mhz RAM at the moment - even when I called and said I was happy to assume the risk. I guess I can understand the decision if it has led to returns of very expensive CPUs.

Is the workaround here to just put in 8GB of PCS RAM to get the computer built and buy my own 6000Mhz RAM? I guess the upside is I can buy whatever RAM I want, not just the brands PCS sell - is there a specific type of RAM you would recommend for my system?

 

[SpyderTracks]

Hi all

As an update, PCS aren't willing to sell 6000Mhz RAM at the moment - even when I called and said I was happy to assume the risk. I guess I can understand the decision if it has led to returns of very expensive CPUs.

Is the workaround here to just put in 8GB of PCS RAM to get the computer built and buy my own 6000Mhz RAM? I guess the upside is I can buy whatever RAM I want, not just the brands PCS sell - is there a specific type of RAM you would recommend for my system?

That is personally what I would do, just order the basic 8gb set and then source your own.

The thing with RAM is you want low timings as well as 6000mhz. There are some good options out there.

Something like this which is 36-36-36-76 is pretty good and it looks good as well, not bad price and has lifetime warranty direct with the seller as well as manufacturers warranty. It's corsair as well so will have better compatibility.

Corsair Dominator Platinum RGB EXPO 32GB (2X16GB) DDR5 PC5-48000C36 6000MHz Dual Channel Kit - Black (CMT32GX5M2D6000Z36)

Order Corsair Dominator Platinum RGB EXPO 32GB (2X16GB) DDR5 PC5-48000C36 6000MHz Dual Channel Kit - Black (CMT32GX5M2D6000Z36) now online and benefit from fast delivery.

www.overclockers.co.uk

 

[Siphonic]

Yeah I second that on what spyder said. I had unfortunately bad timing on ordering my pc and had to ask PCS to downclock the 6000mhz to 5600mhz. It allowed me to keep them and wait for a fix. The plus side was when I went to amend stuff, before it went into production, it excluded the cost on ram and bugged out. I went to amend the graphics card and got a 7900 xtx for like £150-£250 less so it's sort of a win/win in the long run!