It starts with how I built a new gaming and workstation computer. After a few years of very reliable service, my old computer is still working excellently. But what kind of software engineer would I be if I didn't get the newest stuff—not because I really need it, but because I want it? Just kidding.
Of course, I need a new computer because I realized that some applications got slower and slower over time
Research
I believe this was the most terrifying and complicated part. I spent hours looking at videos and comparing specifications or summaries for CPUs, GPUs, cooling systems, and so on. If you've been through this loop already, you know how hard it can get. This is largely because you clearly don't want to make a bad decision; in the worst-case scenario, you'll be stuck with your new build for a few more years, and as a gamer, you never want to have that feeling of regret.
Tips regarding my research
Step 1
So, what I would suggest you do is visit two or three resources, such as a benchmark comparison site like CPU Userbenchmark and a tech review site like Tom's Hardware. There, you can find comparisons covering multi-core or single-core features, gaming performance, and application benchmarks, often presented in charts.
Step 2
Watch YouTube FPS comparison videos for games you would like to play, or for demanding games in general. If you watch two or three videos from different YouTubers focusing on the component you're interested in, this will likely give you a good idea of how it performs under specific conditions.
Step 3
You should have a clear expectation of what you want to do now and what you want to be able to do in a few years; when planning, consider the worst-case scenario. In the best-case scenario, you could always buy something new, but if you happen to be stuck with your build for longer, you'll want to have as much fun as possible with it. Set up your budget, think about the components you wish to have, and go for it.
Watch the first Part of my building process
If you want to know how I built my beast of a workstation, just click on the YouTube link and watch the video. It consists of three parts, and you'll probably want to check all of them out. While this YouTube channel will primarily focus on AI, coding, and cloud computing in the future, this first video documents my workstation build process from the beginning, as needing the new machine was the reason I made it.
Components
This is the rig I decided to build in the end. I've had very good experiences with the Asus brand, so I opted for their components for the mainboard and the PSU.
PC Components Used:
- CPU: AMD Ryzen 9 9900x
- GPU: currently, NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2060, future: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5070 Ti OC
- Motherboard: ASUS X870e
- RAM: 64GB (2x 32GB) Kingston Fury Beast Black RGB EXPO 64GB 6400MT/s DDR5 CL32 DIMM
- Storage: WD_BLACK SN7100 NVMe SSD 2TB, WD_BLACK SN7100 NVMe SSD 1TB
- Case: Thermaltake Core P6 Tempered Glass
- Power Supply: ASUS ROG Loki SFX-L 1000W Platinum
- Cooling: NZXT Kraken Elite 240 - AIO CPU Liquid Cooler - 240 mm Radiator Turbine Pump
Part 2 - will come soon - stay tuned.