$1500 Build Guide
Compared to the $1250 Creator Build, this extra budget allows for more CPU and GPU power, a slightly better motherboard and power supply, as well as double the amount of storage. As a reminder, this isn’t a build tailored around getting the most “FPS per Dollar” value, because it’s using more of the budget towards Creator focused features.
The Ryzen 7 7800X3D is simply the best gaming CPU on the planet right now, and it also makes for an amazing creator CPU as well. This 8 core and 16 threaded CPU is great for video editing, streaming, productivity, coding, etc. The only problem is that the price has been extremely volatile lately, and I wouldn’t recommend spending over $400 for one. If you can find it at the $330-$380 range then I’d definitely consider this my top option. Otherwise I would consider saving some money and going with a Ryzen 7 7700X.
I do not really consider any Intel CPUs at this point in time. Not all of them are affected by the current instability issues, but Ryzen simply has too many better options for me to consider Intel right now. That will more than likely change in the future.
With a Ryzen 7 it’s perfectly acceptable to go with an AIO, but to keep costs down and to keep it simple I’m still recommending an air cooler here. The Thermalright Peerless Assassin 120 is some of the best possible value for a $40 cooler, and it has no problems cooling the 7800X3D. This is the exact combination that we use for our Shadow Strike PC, and it works very well.
The main thing we are looking for here is an ATX sized B650 or X670, and most people want built-in WiFi. I’m OK with spending a little more money compared to the $1250 Creator Build motherboard because of the 7800X3D. The MSI B650 Gaming Plus WiFi is a fantastic choice for this type of build, but feel free to go with a higher end X670 model if you want to spend the extra money.
Any 2x16GB DDR5 kit clocked at 6000MHz or higher will work. I would recommend trying to find one with a CL rating of 30 if possible, but not required. 32GB has become the new standard for DDR5, so there’s no real point in trying to find a slightly cheaper 16GB kit. All different types of creators will be able to utilize the extra amount of RAM in their workflow. I usually find that the SP Zenith Gaming 32GB kit and the G.Skill Ripjaws Flare X5 32GB kit to be the least expensive and very reliable.
I’d recommend starting with at least a PCIe Gen 4.0 SSD with 2TB for this level of build. If you have more money to spend then feel free to creep your way up to a “High-Level NVMe” or even Gen 5, but sticking with a mid ranged SSD at this build price is perfectly fine. The Teamgroup MP44L has consistently been one of the most available and least expensive mid ranged drives, so it’s getting my top pick. Video editors will definitely notice the difference of a faster drive compared to a budget alternative.
I will almost always recommend an Nvidia graphics card for creators, especially for live-streamers with one PC. Nvidia includes many software and even hardware features specifically for creators, and I think the extra price compared to an AMD competitor card is worth it. (NVENC encoder and Nvidia Broadcast to name a few) For a $1500 build price, the best Nvidia card that will fit is an RTX 4070 Super which is a very powerful card for both gamers and creators. I’d recommend getting whichever model you find a good deal on, or one that matches the aesthetics of your build. A safe bet is always the PNY VERTO OC RTX 4070 Super model.
For a Ryzen 7 7800X3D and RTX 4070 Super build, my search filter will be any Tier B or A 700W+ unit, and one that includes a 12VHPWR connector. The MSI MAG A750GL PCIe 5 has been consistently available for $80-$90, and I’ve personally used this a ton for higher level Nvidia based systems. It’s fully modular which is much appreciated, and it has the 12VHPWR connector which the 4070 Super needs. Always ensure that this connector is plugged in the full way both on the GPU and the back of the PSU.
The case selection is always personal preference, but if you’re interested in following the latest wood-grain trend then I really like the Okinos Cypress 7. It has a very sophisticated black and wood design and it comes with 4 preinstalled black fans to take care of the cooling situation. If you prefer a more traditional fish tank with ARGB style of design, then the Okinos Aqua 7 is also a great pick for this type of build.
Last updated: September 19, 2024