A "quick" reference guide to building the perfect system. This is the sort of logic I go through when suggesting systems, so thought I would jot it down on the page. Clearly this is an ever changing suite of options but I'll update periodically as my default go-to's change...
I'm noticing the DDR4 options disappearing rapidly so this guide is going to concentrate purely on DDR5. I would be putting far too much effort in to try and cover both platform options when the stocks are disappearing so quickly. This is the reason it's taken me so long to update this guide. DDR4 is still relevant where budgets are limited, I don't think I would recommend an Intel DDR4 build now as the motherboard & RAM offerings are so slim. I would still put forward an argument for the 5800X3D option from AMD though, but I won't be covering that here either. I would always recommend getting custom advice on what you are looking for, this is just an overview of the sort of thinking that would go behind my advice (and typically the likeminded members of the forum)
AMD or Intel:
AMD has committed to supporting the socket into the future (2025 was mentioned, which means a chip or 2 to come on the socket), Intel has confirmed that they are killing off the socket at the end of 2023 so if you would like to upgrade the CPU to a modern offering in the ife of the build, this is something to consider.
For gaming AMD has takent he gaming crown again. The 7800X3D is a reasonably affordable chip, with all things considered, taking into account how well it performs. It's not the best all round CPU, I think you still have to give that crown to the 13600K, but there isn't really much of a contest when it comes to gaming.
Which CPU:
This completely comes down to what you would use the system for. The X3D offerings from AMD are for gaming users. There are only 2 sensible considerations, the 7800X3D and the 7950X3D. The 7950X3D would be for heavy gamers and secondary intensive process users. The 7950X is no slouch and offers higher performance, it's just not quite the gaming powerhouse that the X3D chips are.
With Intel, the main considerations would be the 13600K and the 13700K. The 13900K is a performance monster but the heat it produces causes a number of issues that I would typically recommend you avoid. The 13600K is the best value all rounder, it's not massively below the X3D offerings for gaming and it trades blows with the higher end ones for productivity. The 13700k snatches most of the productivity metrics from any of the X3D offerings while being very marginal in gaming.
Which Motherboard:
The pricing of the modern motherboards annoys me. Fortunately, with the high costs comes some high quality. Purely for gaming I would have no issues running a B650 motherboard with any gaming chip. I personally opted for an X670e, as there was only £100 of difference and I didn't want to miss out. I wouldn't middle with AMD, but I would always opt for the Asus offerings for now. TUF tends to be my favoured selection as they have good features all round. B650 TUF or X670e TUF would be my selections. With Intel it's even simpler for me, I would just opt for the Z790 TUF. I don't think there's any savings to be had with any other choices.
Which RAM:
RAM is possibly the least complicated it's ever been. Of course it comes down to budget, but the recommendation would be the fastest 2x16GB kit you can get. 32GB is going to be my new recommendation where budget allows, unless for specific tasks (Video editing, Rendering, etc).
AMD recommend 6000Mhz for their kits, Intel can go higher but the options seem limited to 6000mhz now, possibly with compatibility.
It's that simple now, thankfully.
Which GPU:
Pricing for GPUs have gotten ridiculous over the years. The pricing is eye watering. To get into gaming at a good level takes a minimum investment. You always want to match the GPU to the monitor resolution/refresh rate. Try not to get caught up in benchmark figures as you could bring a 4090 to its knees at 1080p using insane settings. There's no point in burning money when the GPU is most likely the first thing you will upgrade.
We will never, ever, recommend overshooting your requirements. You can't future proof a GPU, it's just impossible. You can waste money overshooting your requirements, but this just costs money rather than offering protection.
Current Rule of Thumb for me (At the time of writing):
1080p - AMD 6600. There is no good Nvidia offering right now. If you can get a 2060/2060 Super this would pair well.
1440p - 3060Ti or AMD 6700. This comes down to technologies. Some prefer DLSS and Ray Tracing. If you aren't fussed about this and just looking for raw performance, it would be AMD all the way for me.
1440p Extreme - 3070 or 6950XT. Similar to above, the difference here is you're looking to push high refresh and you're willing to pay for it. This will be the last 30 series recommendation as I wouldn't spend any more money on the older offerings.
4k or Ultrawide - 4070Ti or 7900 XT. Exactly as previous, these cards trade blows so it comes down to the technolgy you want to have in play. I would let the current pricing make your mind up for you. Consider the vRAM of the 7900XT, given the way gaming is going nowadays, especially for 4k.
Ultimate Gaming - 4090. There's no contest at this level but boy do you pay for it. There are other offerings from both Nvidia and AMD, but I don't see the point of them really (4080/7900XTX). I wouldn't recommend as I wouldn't middle, the money saved can be put towards the next gen (if opting a tier down) or the build will last longer by spending more. The middle doesn't really get you anything.
...... Continued
I'm noticing the DDR4 options disappearing rapidly so this guide is going to concentrate purely on DDR5. I would be putting far too much effort in to try and cover both platform options when the stocks are disappearing so quickly. This is the reason it's taken me so long to update this guide. DDR4 is still relevant where budgets are limited, I don't think I would recommend an Intel DDR4 build now as the motherboard & RAM offerings are so slim. I would still put forward an argument for the 5800X3D option from AMD though, but I won't be covering that here either. I would always recommend getting custom advice on what you are looking for, this is just an overview of the sort of thinking that would go behind my advice (and typically the likeminded members of the forum)
AMD or Intel:
AMD has committed to supporting the socket into the future (2025 was mentioned, which means a chip or 2 to come on the socket), Intel has confirmed that they are killing off the socket at the end of 2023 so if you would like to upgrade the CPU to a modern offering in the ife of the build, this is something to consider.
For gaming AMD has takent he gaming crown again. The 7800X3D is a reasonably affordable chip, with all things considered, taking into account how well it performs. It's not the best all round CPU, I think you still have to give that crown to the 13600K, but there isn't really much of a contest when it comes to gaming.
Which CPU:
This completely comes down to what you would use the system for. The X3D offerings from AMD are for gaming users. There are only 2 sensible considerations, the 7800X3D and the 7950X3D. The 7950X3D would be for heavy gamers and secondary intensive process users. The 7950X is no slouch and offers higher performance, it's just not quite the gaming powerhouse that the X3D chips are.
With Intel, the main considerations would be the 13600K and the 13700K. The 13900K is a performance monster but the heat it produces causes a number of issues that I would typically recommend you avoid. The 13600K is the best value all rounder, it's not massively below the X3D offerings for gaming and it trades blows with the higher end ones for productivity. The 13700k snatches most of the productivity metrics from any of the X3D offerings while being very marginal in gaming.
Which Motherboard:
The pricing of the modern motherboards annoys me. Fortunately, with the high costs comes some high quality. Purely for gaming I would have no issues running a B650 motherboard with any gaming chip. I personally opted for an X670e, as there was only £100 of difference and I didn't want to miss out. I wouldn't middle with AMD, but I would always opt for the Asus offerings for now. TUF tends to be my favoured selection as they have good features all round. B650 TUF or X670e TUF would be my selections. With Intel it's even simpler for me, I would just opt for the Z790 TUF. I don't think there's any savings to be had with any other choices.
Which RAM:
RAM is possibly the least complicated it's ever been. Of course it comes down to budget, but the recommendation would be the fastest 2x16GB kit you can get. 32GB is going to be my new recommendation where budget allows, unless for specific tasks (Video editing, Rendering, etc).
AMD recommend 6000Mhz for their kits, Intel can go higher but the options seem limited to 6000mhz now, possibly with compatibility.
It's that simple now, thankfully.
Which GPU:
Pricing for GPUs have gotten ridiculous over the years. The pricing is eye watering. To get into gaming at a good level takes a minimum investment. You always want to match the GPU to the monitor resolution/refresh rate. Try not to get caught up in benchmark figures as you could bring a 4090 to its knees at 1080p using insane settings. There's no point in burning money when the GPU is most likely the first thing you will upgrade.
We will never, ever, recommend overshooting your requirements. You can't future proof a GPU, it's just impossible. You can waste money overshooting your requirements, but this just costs money rather than offering protection.
Current Rule of Thumb for me (At the time of writing):
1080p - AMD 6600. There is no good Nvidia offering right now. If you can get a 2060/2060 Super this would pair well.
1440p - 3060Ti or AMD 6700. This comes down to technologies. Some prefer DLSS and Ray Tracing. If you aren't fussed about this and just looking for raw performance, it would be AMD all the way for me.
1440p Extreme - 3070 or 6950XT. Similar to above, the difference here is you're looking to push high refresh and you're willing to pay for it. This will be the last 30 series recommendation as I wouldn't spend any more money on the older offerings.
4k or Ultrawide - 4070Ti or 7900 XT. Exactly as previous, these cards trade blows so it comes down to the technolgy you want to have in play. I would let the current pricing make your mind up for you. Consider the vRAM of the 7900XT, given the way gaming is going nowadays, especially for 4k.
Ultimate Gaming - 4090. There's no contest at this level but boy do you pay for it. There are other offerings from both Nvidia and AMD, but I don't see the point of them really (4080/7900XTX). I wouldn't recommend as I wouldn't middle, the money saved can be put towards the next gen (if opting a tier down) or the build will last longer by spending more. The middle doesn't really get you anything.
...... Continued
Last edited:
