First ever PC build

Maxiaid · 2025-02-20T18:20:00+0000

Not really a "project" anymore, but wanted to share. First ever PC build. Coming from a 10yo entry-level MSI laptop with a GTX 850M. I went balls to the wall.
For at least half that time I longed for this moment, but was too broke to afford anything decent and didn't want to settle for a mid system. I spent months saving money and researching every part, since I didn't have much knowledge about components to begin with, but had it clear I didn't want a prebuilt. In the process I fell in love with this hobby.
Last summer it was finally time to live the dream.

Case: Corsair 2500X (black)
Motherboard: MSI B650M Project Zero
CPU: AMD Ryzen 7 7800X3D
GPU: MSI GeForce RTX 4090 GAMING X SLIM
RAM: Corsair Vengeance RGB 64GB DDR5 6000MT/s CL30
SSD 1: Samsung 990 PRO 4TB
SSD 2: Acer Predator GM7 4TB
PSU: Corsair RM1200x Shift
AIO liquid cooler: Corsair H150i Elite LCD XT
Intake fans: 2x Corsair SP120 RGB Elite, 2x Corsair AF140 RGB Elite, 1x Corsair AF120 RGB Elite
Exhaust fans: 3x Corsair AF120 RGB Elite (radiator), 1x Corsair SP120 RGB Elite

Rest of the setup:
Keyboard: Corsair K65 Pro Mini 65%
Mouse: Corsair Darkstar Wireless
Headset: Corsair HS80 Wireless
Main monitor: Corsair Xeneon 27QHD240 (27", 2560x1440, 240Hz, OLED)
Auxiliary monitor: Elecrow DIS85101D (10.1", 1280x800, 60Hz, IPS, touch)
Sensor panel display: GeeekPi EP-0170 (7", 1024x600, 60Hz, IPS)
Macro board: Stream Deck XL
Mouse mat: TitanWolf XXL (900mmx400mm, Planisphere and Wolf)
Chair: SecretLab Titan Evo (fabric, arctic white)

jak_2456 · 2025-02-20T18:38:02+0000

Congrats on your first build; it looks great! It must have been really awesome to assemble the build of your dreams. Enjoy it.

Maxiaid · 2025-02-20T23:08:10+0000

jak_2456 said:
Congrats on your first build; it looks great! It must have been really awesome to assemble the build of your dreams. Enjoy it.

Appreciate it! If I'm honest, the whole process brought me a lot of anxiety, I felt uneasy knowing that I could mess something up - but the feeling when I first booted it up, all the RGB started flashing and it finally went into BIOS was something I can't describe with words.
Faced quite a few problems, even had to go through RMA to replace the first AIO I installed since it developed pump failure, but now it's running like a charm. :peace:

Why_Me · 2025-02-20T23:21:42+0000

Nice looking build ^^

bonehead123 · 2025-02-21T00:03:49+0000

Looks nice & congrats on your 1st sucessfull & rewarding build !

However, & not to rain on your parade, but without a parts list, it's really hard to tell if it meets the "balls to the wall" description, especially since a lot of us here have built rigs that are truly exquisite & superb, both in appearance & performance, myself included

Maxiaid · 2025-02-21T00:59:19+0000

bonehead123 said:
Looks nice & congrats on your 1st sucessfull & rewarding build !

However, & not to rain on your parade, but without a parts list, it's really hard to tell if it meets the "balls to the wall" description, especially since a lot of us here have built rigs that are truly exquisite & superb, both in appearance & performance, myself included

I find your distrust understandable, my good sir. You'll find a list with the parts in the provided spoiler dropdown, but I'll list them here for quicker reference.

Case: Corsair 2500X (black)
Motherboard: MSI B650M Project Zero
CPU: AMD Ryzen 7 7800X3D
GPU: MSI GeForce RTX 4090 GAMING X SLIM
RAM: Corsair Vengeance RGB 64GB DDR5 6000MT/s CL30
SSD 1: Samsung 990 PRO 4TB
SSD 2: Acer Predator GM7 4TB
PSU: Corsair RM1200x Shift
AIO liquid cooler: Corsair H150i Elite LCD XT
Intake fans: 2x Corsair SP120 RGB Elite, 2x Corsair AF140 RGB Elite, 1x Corsair AF120 RGB Elite
Exhaust fans: 3x Corsair AF120 RGB Elite (radiator), 1x Corsair SP120 RGB Elite

It is my belief that, for an ex GeForce Now user, this quite fitly complies with the "balls to the wall" standard.

Lord Paulus Cobris (LPC) · 2025-02-21T02:36:58+0000

Hello Max!
Congratulations on your first build, and welcome to the "master PC Race" community!

I completly understand the anxeity part of the build (and the moment where we press the power button and hope for the best).
I have been building systems for 20 years now, and i still have the "anxious" moment when i finish an expensive build and i double and triple check everything...

But like you said, the first time we build our own system is a very special moment!
I have check you parts list, and you have there a good and very capable system.

I see that you are a Corsair fan!

Im a NZXT and ThermalRight fan.

I can now just wish you the best and enjoy that fine build you did!

Best Regards,

LPC

Maxiaid · 2025-02-21T03:15:40+0000

Lord Paulus Cobris (LPC) said:
Hello Max!
Congratulations on your first build, and welcome to the "master PC Race" community!

I completly understand the anxeity part of the build (and the moment where we press the power button and hope for the best).
I have been building systems for 20 years now, and i still have the "anxious" moment when i finish an expensive build and i double and triple check everything...

But like you said, the first time we build our own system is a very special moment!
I have check you parts list, and you have there a good and very capable system.

I see that you are a Corsair fan! Im a NZXT and ThermalRight fan.

I can now just wish you the best and enjoy that fine build you did!

Best Regards,

LPC

Truly appreciate the warm words.

Not really a fan of any brand in particular, I chose Corsair because I think their branding has a sleek look... and to be honest, simply because I like the logo. I also wanted to condense all of my RGB/peripherals under one ecosystem to avoid unnecessary bloatware having to run in the background.

Would love to see a picture of your current system!

I see you're from Portugal. We could say we're almost vizinhos. Muito obrigado, velhote! :toast:

Lord Paulus Cobris (LPC) · 2025-02-21T03:20:03+0000

Hello!
Yes im from Portugal! And i live in Elvas, close to Spain Border and the Spanish town of Badajoz!

Portanto somos mesmo quase vizinhos!

Yes it makes sense to have all the rgb software under one software and not many.

You can check my build log on this link:

- https://www.techpowerup.com/forums/threads/lpc-project-dark-knight-ii.332531/

Hope you like it!

Best Regards,

LPC

r.h.p · 2025-02-21T06:02:28+0000

Hey dude good choice of parts

good job. Is this how it happened?

_roman_ · 2025-02-21T06:12:16+0000

Nice - Good Job.

I would have covered the fan specifications with a sticker or I would have used two reverse fans instead.

Jtuck9 · 2025-02-21T07:18:43+0000

bonehead123 said:
Looks nice & congrats on your 1st sucessfull & rewarding build !

However, & not to rain on your parade, but without a parts list, it's really hard to tell if it meets the "balls to the wall" description, especially since a lot of us here have built rigs that are truly exquisite & superb, both in appearance & performance, myself included

Coming from an entry-level MSI laptop with a GTX 850M those are probably cases of "Ships not seen"

SirKeldon · 2025-02-21T11:14:22+0000

Really nice build, great components and I'm sure the result translates into an astounding performance, not to mention the satisfaction you get when you build your own rig, I miss the feeling from that first one.

"No hemos reparado en gastos" as John Hammond from Jurassic Park would say, well done bud! Enjoy it :rockout:

*typo

kilo · 2025-02-21T11:23:34+0000

It looks way better than my first PC, but I won't show my age :roll:

You might want to check your manual though, I'm seeing this for DIMM setup:

You might not be getting dual (quad for ddr5) channel working right with your current configuration. Check in CPU-z before and after.

SirKeldon · 2025-02-21T11:42:04+0000

kilo said:
It looks way better than my first PC, but I won't show my age

I can relate to this, my first custom build was based on the AMD 64 Athlon 3200+, and 100% agree with you, it didn't look as this beauty, how times have evolved!

bonehead123 · 2025-02-21T12:08:46+0000

Maxiaid said:
I find your distrust understandable, my good sir. You'll find a list with the parts in the provided spoiler dropdown, but I'll list them here for quicker reference.

Case: Corsair 2500X (black)
Motherboard: MSI B650M Project Zero
CPU: AMD Ryzen 7 7800X3D
GPU: MSI GeForce RTX 4090 GAMING X SLIM
RAM: Corsair Vengeance RGB 64GB DDR5 6000MT/s CL30
SSD 1: Samsung 990 PRO 4TB
SSD 2: Acer Predator GM7 4TB
PSU: Corsair RM1200x Shift
AIO liquid cooler: Corsair H150i Elite LCD XT
Intake fans: 2x Corsair SP120 RGB Elite, 2x Corsair AF140 RGB Elite, 1x Corsair AF120 RGB Elite
Exhaust fans: 3x Corsair AF120 RGB Elite (radiator), 1x Corsair SP120 RGB Elite

It is my belief that, for an ex GeForce Now user, this quite fitly complies with the "balls to the wall" standard.

Yep, that's a pretty nice rig IMHO, and yea, I think you nailed the description too

Good luck & happy computin with it !

System Name	"Nave Espacial"
Processor	AMD Ryzen 7 7800X3D
Motherboard	MSI B650M Project Zero
Cooling	Corsair H150i Elite LCD XT
Memory	Corsair Vengeance RGB 64GB (2x32GB) DDR5 6000MT/s CL30
Video Card(s)	MSI GeForce RTX 4090 GAMING X SLIM
Storage	Samsung 990 PRO 4TB + Acer Predator GM7 4TB
Display(s)	Corsair Xeneon 27QHD240
Case	Corsair 2500X (black)
Audio Device(s)	Corsair HS80 Wireless Headset
Power Supply	Corsair RM1200x Shift
Mouse	Corsair Darkstar Wireless
Keyboard	Corsair K65 Pro Mini 65%
Software	Windows 11, iCUE

System Name	Sim Racing PC/Dell XPS 15 7590
Processor	AMD Ryzen 7 5800x/Intel Core i7-9750h
Motherboard	ASUS TUF B450-Plus II/Dell Laptop MB
Cooling	Arctic Freezer A35 CO/laptop cooling
Memory	28 GB G.Skill Ripjaws V DDR4-3200/28 GB Crucial DDR4-2666 SO-DIMM
Video Card(s)	XFX SWFT309 RX 6700 XT/Laptop GTX 1650
Storage	1 TB Crucial 3400 PCIe Gen 4 SSD/Ediloca EN605 512 GB PCIe Gen 3 SSD
Display(s)	77" LG OLED TV (4K@120Hz)/15" Dell integrated panel (1080p@60Hz) and 30" Dell U3011 (1600p@60 Hz)
Case	Cougar MX330-G Air / XPS 15 7590 chassis
Audio Device(s)	Beyerdynamic DT 770 Pro via Yamaha HT receiver/Integrated speakers or Creative Pebble Plus
Power Supply	EVGA 600 BA / Dell 130W laptop brick
Mouse	Logitech K400+ / Cherry MW 4500
Keyboard	Logitech K400+ / Dell L100 or integrated keyboard
VR HMD	Meta Quest 2
Software	Windows 11 Home/Ubuntu 24.04.1

System Name	"Nave Espacial"
Processor	AMD Ryzen 7 7800X3D
Motherboard	MSI B650M Project Zero
Cooling	Corsair H150i Elite LCD XT
Memory	Corsair Vengeance RGB 64GB (2x32GB) DDR5 6000MT/s CL30
Video Card(s)	MSI GeForce RTX 4090 GAMING X SLIM
Storage	Samsung 990 PRO 4TB + Acer Predator GM7 4TB
Display(s)	Corsair Xeneon 27QHD240
Case	Corsair 2500X (black)
Audio Device(s)	Corsair HS80 Wireless Headset
Power Supply	Corsair RM1200x Shift
Mouse	Corsair Darkstar Wireless
Keyboard	Corsair K65 Pro Mini 65%
Software	Windows 11, iCUE

System Name	The Little One
Processor	i5-11320H @4.4GHZ
Motherboard	AZW SEI
Cooling	Fan w/heat pipes + side & rear vents
Memory	64GB Crucial DDR4-3200 (2x 32GB)
Video Card(s)	Iris XE
Storage	WD Black SN850X 8TB m.2, Seagate 2TB SSD + SN850 8TB x2 in an external enclosure
Display(s)	2x Samsung 43" & 2x 32"
Case	Practically identical to a mac mini, just purrtier in slate blue, & with 3x usb ports on the front !
Audio Device(s)	Yamaha ATS-1060 Bluetooth Soundbar & Subwoofer
Power Supply	65w brick
Mouse	Logitech MX Master 2
Keyboard	Logitech G613 mechanical wireless
VR HMD	Whahdatiz ???
Software	Windows 10 pro, with all the unnecessary background shitzu turned OFF !
Benchmark Scores	PDQ

System Name	"Nave Espacial"
Processor	AMD Ryzen 7 7800X3D
Motherboard	MSI B650M Project Zero
Cooling	Corsair H150i Elite LCD XT
Memory	Corsair Vengeance RGB 64GB (2x32GB) DDR5 6000MT/s CL30
Video Card(s)	MSI GeForce RTX 4090 GAMING X SLIM
Storage	Samsung 990 PRO 4TB + Acer Predator GM7 4TB
Display(s)	Corsair Xeneon 27QHD240
Case	Corsair 2500X (black)
Audio Device(s)	Corsair HS80 Wireless Headset
Power Supply	Corsair RM1200x Shift
Mouse	Corsair Darkstar Wireless
Keyboard	Corsair K65 Pro Mini 65%
Software	Windows 11, iCUE

System Name	Dark Knight II
Processor	AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D
Motherboard	MSI B850 TOMAHAWK MAX WIFI
Cooling	ThermalRight PHANTOM SPIRIT 120 EVO
Memory	64 GB DDR5 PATRIOT VIPER VENON 6000 MT CL30
Video Card(s)	ASUS TUF GAMING AMD RADEON RX 7900XTX - 24 GB
Storage	Kingston KC3000 NVMe 2 TB + 512 GB + Kingston NV3 NVMe 1 TB
Display(s)	BenQ EW3270U 4K HDR
Case	NZXT H6 FLOW
Audio Device(s)	Inboard AUDIO MDT 4080
Power Supply	Corsair HX 1200 WATTS
Mouse	NPlay Optical Mouse 20.000 DPS
Keyboard	Razer Ornata V2 PT Layout
Software	Windows 11 24H2 IoT LTSC

System Name	schweinestalle1 and schweinestalle 2
Processor	AMD Ryzen 7 5700X3D / AMD Ryzen 3200G
Motherboard	Asus Prime - Pro X570 + Asus PCI -E AC68 Adapter / Asus Prime B450 M-K
Cooling	AMD Wraith Prism / AMD Wraith
Memory	Kingston HyperX 2 x 16 gb DDR 4 3200mhz / Kingston HyperX 2x 8Gb DDR 3200mhz
Video Card(s)	AMD Radeon RX 7800 XT 16GB Pulse / AMD Reference Vega 64 8GB
Storage	Crucial 1TB M.2 SSD and WD Blue 500gb Nand SSD / WD Blue 240gb M.2 SSD
Display(s)	Asus XG 32 V ROG and LG ultra gear 32gs75q / TCL TV
Case	Corsair AIR ATX / Corsair Air Mini ATX
Audio Device(s)	Realtech standard / Realtech standard
Power Supply	Corsair 850 Modular / Corsair 750 Modular
Mouse	CM Havoc / Microsoft Wireless
Keyboard	Corsair Cherry Mechanical / Razor piece of shit
Software	Win 10 / win 10
Benchmark Scores	Soon ! whateva

System Name	Woody
Processor	AMD Ryzen 7 9700X
Motherboard	Gigabyte B650M Aorus Elite AX ICE
Cooling	MSI MAG A13 CoreLiquid 360
Memory	32GB (2x16) Corsair Vengeance 6000MHz (CL30)
Video Card(s)	Sapphire Pulse RX 7800 XT
Storage	WD_BLACK SN850x (2x1TB) + Sandisk Ultra 2TB
Display(s)	LG 34WN80C (3440x1440 @ 70 Hz)
Case	Lian Li A3 (Black-Wood)
Audio Device(s)	Logitech Pro X & Scarlett 2i4 w/M-AUDIO BX5-D2
Power Supply	Corsair RM750 (ver. 2019)
Mouse	Logitech MX Master 3
Keyboard	Keychron Q1 Pro (Akko Cream Blue Pro V3 switches)
Software	Windows 10 Pro x64

System Name	Regular PC
Processor	9700k
Motherboard	Gigabyte Z390 Gaming X-CF
Cooling	Scythe Mugen 5 rev. B
Memory	32 GB (8x4)
Video Card(s)	RTX 2070 Super
Storage	970 EVO+ 1TB
Display(s)	XV340CK x2, 1080p x2
Power Supply	Corsair RM750x
Software	ZorinOS Pro