Gaming PC for Black Myth Wukong and Star Wars Outlaws

The AMD Ryzen 7 5700X3D is the most profitable processor if you need to upgrade your existing gaming PC on the seven-year-old AM4 socket. After updating the BIOS firmware, even the first generation of B350 and X370 motherboards are supported. But when building a new computer from scratch, it is better, of course, to choose the B550 chipset to get a modern PCIe 4.0 bus for the GPU and SSD.

The 3D index means the presence of a double cache: 32 MB integrated and another 64 MB in a separate crystal. Coupled with the high IPC of the Zen 3 architecture, that is, the number of instructions executed per clock cycle, it is possible to obtain more than 240 FPS in multiplayer shooters. Whereas production applications are more likely to appreciate 16 virtual SMT threads than a large cache.

Like other Ryzen X, it does not come with a boxed cooler. The 105 W TDP declared by the manufacturer is valid only for the base frequency of 3 GHz. Precision Boost Overdrive increases the frequency to 4.1 GHz and, accordingly, heat dissipation, therefore a tower or dropsy is required. But the 5700X3D is not picky about the RAM frequency; only the two-channel is important.

ASUS TUF Gaming B550-Plus WiFi II is a motherboard for the flagship Ryzen 5000 series processors, including models with the XT and 3D index. This is achieved by a 10-phase VRM power subsystem based on DrMOS digital mosfets. They combine a driver and two upper- and lower-side transistors in a single chip, which more effectively smoothes the voltage.

The mosfets are covered with large aluminum radiators, and the SafeSlot video card connector is reinforced to protect it from bending. Wired Ethernet internet reaches speeds of 2.5 Gbps, is protected from lightning strikes by LanGuard and manages TurboLan gaming priorities. Wireless Internet is represented by a Wi-Fi 6 AX module up to 1.2 Gbps with an external antenna to enhance reception.

A pair of M.2 slots support NVMe 4.0 and 3.0 SSDs, respectively. In addition to the two rear USB 3.2 Gen 2 ports, Thunderbolt can be brought to the front panel of the case, which is extremely rare on AMD motherboards. The microphone filters out background noise using artificial intelligence. Of course, it would not be possible without the proprietary ASUS Aura backlight.

Patriot Memory P320 is an affordable M.2 NVMe SSD from a respected American brand. It operates on the PCI-Express 3.0 bus, which ensures compatibility with a wide range of devices: desktops, laptops, nettops, all-in-one PCs. The only exception is the PlayStation 5 game console; it definitely needs the fourth version of PCIe.

Sequential read and write speeds are stated at 3000 and 2200 MB/s for a 2 TB drive. Smaller models, up to 128 GB, are slower, especially for writing, due to the smaller number of flash memory chips and, accordingly, the inability to parallelize. There is no proprietary RAM; instead, part of the system-wide RAM is used.

Thermal throttling monitors the temperature of the SSD and reduces the speed if it overheats. Also implemented is end-to-end encryption of the user's personal data and automatic cleaning of TRIM software debris to extend the service life of the drive. As a result, the two-terabyte Patriot Memory P320 received a 960 TB rewrite resource and a five-year warranty.

Coolmoon AS600 ARGB is a surprisingly inexpensive tower cooler with as many as six heat pipes. Analogs from more advertised brands cost one and a half to two times more. The kit includes mounts for current AMD AM4, AM5, Intel LGA 1200, 1700, 1851 sockets. Aluminum fins are intertwined to increase the heat dissipation area.

The tubes are coated with nickel along almost the entire length to protect against corrosion; only in the place of direct contact with the processor is pure copper visible. This is ideal for large die processors like Intel Core. Whereas for the AMD Ryzen chiplet structure, a distribution plate would be better suited. However, the temperature difference will be only a few degrees Celsius.

The ugly sealed ends of the tubes are not covered with a decorative plate, but the iridescent lighting of the fan distracts attention from them. The impeller with a diameter of 12 centimeters rotates at a speed of 800-2000 rpm. And it connects to the motherboard with two cables: a 4-pin PWM for the motor and a 3-pin ARGB for the backlight.

Prologix DDR4 is a line of RAM modules from the Ukrainian brand with a capacity from 8 to 16 GB, with a frequency from 2666 to 32600 MHz, SO-DIMM and Long-DIMM formats. The first option is for laptops, and the second is for desktop computers. The older model PRO16GB3200D4 has CL22 timings and a voltage of 1.2 V, so it does not require a radiator.

If desired, you can manually increase the frequency, and, on the contrary, reduce the timings, that is, delays. To do this, you will need a motherboard with an AMD B450, A520, B550 or Intel B660, B760, Z690, Z790 chipset. The performance increase depends on the success of a particular memory instance. And also on the sensitivity of the processor to memory: Ryzen is more sensitive, Core less.

However, 16-GB DDR4 modules are quite fast even without overclocking, because they contain two virtual channels (ranks) on one physical one. Despite the low price, Prologix DDR4 memory is not based on the old-school green PCB, but on a more aesthetically pleasing black one. It's a pity that it is sold only in the form of individual modules, while paired sets are not yet available.

Chieftec Apex Q is the third model in the Apex series of cases: there were glass and mesh, now they have been added with blind panels. The inside of the two side panels and the front panel are covered with noise-absorbing material. This combination will appeal most to connoisseurs of conservative classics and complete silence. The case is made of thick 0.6 mm steel and coated with matte black paint.

Suitable even for wide E-ATX motherboards with two processor sockets for an Intel Xeon or AMD Threadripper based workstation build. And the large headroom of the video card up to 40 cm makes it an excellent choice, including for a gaming PC, if you are tired of the iridescent glow. The maximum permissible height of the processor tower is 17.5 cm.

Three fans with a four-pin PWM connection are preinstalled. There is a 14-cm diameter blow-in at the front, the same one at the bottom under the video card, and a 12-cm-diameter blow-out at the back. If desired, air cooling can be supplemented with water cooling: a 360 mm coolant will fit on top, and 420 mm in front. The interface panel has USB Type-C, and weight is 7.3 kg.

AeroCool Mirage Gold 850W is a fully modular power supply with an 80 PLUS gold energy efficiency certification, which means a high efficiency of 92%. This not only reduces the heating of the power supply, but also helps save on electricity bills. A fan with highly curved blades creates increased air pressure for through blowing.

Modern circuitry with separate DC-DC stabilization and Active PFC power correction is complemented by durable Japanese capacitors that can withstand up to 105°C. All wires are removable, flat and soft, which facilitates neat cable management. There are two 4+4-pin processor connectors, and three 6+2-pin video card connectors.

Using a solid +12 V line, the power supply is capable of delivering current up to 70 amperes. The main highlight is the Addressable RGB backlight on the entire side panel with the effect of a bottomless Infinity Mirror. Colors and lighting modes can be switched with a button on the PSU case or through the software of a synchronized motherboard.

QUBE Overlord C34UQ180HC is a frameless monitor with an ultra widescreen 21:9 aspect ratio. This allows you to watch movies without black bars at the top and bottom, dive deeper into games and open two windows of work applications side by side. Based on a VA matrix with a resolution of 3440x1440 pixels, a bend angle of 1500R and an esports refresh rate of 180 Hz.

Moreover, the monitor frequency can be synchronized with the game framerate using AMD FreeSync or NVIDIA G-Sync Compatible technology. Flicker-Free technology reduces eye fatigue, and the height-adjustable stand helps reduce back and neck fatigue. The back panel of the Monica is decorated with RGB lighting, and all sorts of connectors are hidden behind the magnetic cover.

Video outputs are HDMI, Display Port and USB Type-C. The latter, in addition to broadcasting images, can also charge a laptop using the Power Delivery 65 W standard, and transmit the Internet from the Ethernet built into the monitor, it’s a pity that it’s only 100 Mbit/s. There is also a pair of full-size USB Type-A, for example for a mouse and keyboard, and built-in stereo speakers.

The Sapphire Radeon RX 7800 XT Nitro+ is a worthy competitor to the GeForce RTX 4070 Super, which costs significantly less and delivers almost the same framerate in games. And in some projects optimized for Radeon, for example Starfield, it even gets ahead a little. The RX 7800 XT has more video memory than the RTX 4070 Super - 16 versus 12 GB, that is, with a reserve for the future.

Memory is important not only for games on QuadHD or 4K monitors, but also for local deep learning of neural networks, such as Llama and Mistral. And for games, AMD has updated FidelityFX Super Resolution 3.1 technology, which now allows you to separately enable or disable resolution upscaling and the intermediate frame generator.

The Sapphire Nitro+ cooling system features composite heatpipes, a metal backplate, and Dual Ball Bearing fans to minimize lubricant leakage. Thanks to the Quick Connect mount, the turntables can be easily removed for cleaning from dust. And the casing is decorated with an LED strip, which is controlled via the Sapphire TriXX application.