The Ultimate PC Upgrade Journey: RTX 3080 and Ryzen 9 5950X Powerhouse

Table of Contents

1. Introduction
2. The Why Not PC Build
3. Selecting an ITX Case
4. Choosing the Motherboard and Storage
5. The Power Supply
6. The Graphics Card and CPU Struggles
7. Benchmarking and Performance
8. Gaming Performance in Rainbow Six Siege
9. Gaming Performance in Escape from Tarkov
10. Gaming Performance in Star Citizen
11. Gaming Performance in Valorant
12. Thermals and Cooling
13. Final Thoughts and Recommendations

The Why Not PC Build: An Upgrade Journey

Are you ready for another build video? Hold on, I promise this one will be different. Join me as I take you through my personal PC upgrade journey and share the challenges I faced along the way. As a small YouTuber, I don't have the luxury of being handed the latest and greatest hardware for free. Like most of you, I had to grapple with stock shortages and intense competition to get my hands on the highly coveted RTX 3000 series graphics cards and Ryzen 5000 series CPUs. But after months of perseverance, I finally managed to complete my dream build. And let me tell you, it's a Game-changer.

1. Introduction

As an avid gamer and content creator, I quickly outgrew my previous PC setup. It struggled to keep up with demanding gaming Sessions and intensive video editing tasks. That's when I decided it was time for a massive upgrade. In this article, I'll walk you through the entire process, from selecting the perfect ITX case to benchmarking the new system. So, let's dive in and see how the Why Not PC build came to life.

2. The Why Not PC Build

Let's start with the name—Why Not PC. Why did I choose this name? Well, it all comes down to the philosophy behind it. I didn't want to settle for mediocre performance or compromise on quality. I wanted to create a PC that could handle anything I threw at it, both in gaming and content creation. So, why not go all out and build the best possible rig? That was the mindset I adopted throughout the entire build process.

3. Selecting an ITX Case

One of the first challenges I encountered was choosing the right ITX case for my build. Portability was a crucial factor for me since I often travel with my computer. After extensive research and recommendations from trusted sources, I settled on the popular EnCase M1. Its compact size and sleek design made it the perfect choice for my needs. However, the price tag gave me pause. Was it worth splurging on an expensive case? Ultimately, I decided that if I was going to invest in high-end components like the RTX 3080 and Ryzen 9 5950X, I might as well go all in and get the best case to showcase them.

4. Choosing the Motherboard and Storage

With the case sorted, it was time to move on to other crucial components. For the motherboard, I opted for the ASUS ROG Strix X570I ITX. Although there weren't many options available in the ITX form factor for the X570 chipset, this motherboard stood out for its aesthetics and solid performance. It offered Wi-Fi 6, overclocking capabilities, and most importantly, two NVMe slots—one of which supported PCIe 4.0. Speaking of storage, I couldn't resist the allure of the newly released Samsung 980 Pro NVMe SSD. With blazing-fast read and write speeds, this SSD was a must-have for future-proof storage. I also added a two terabyte Inland Gen 3 NVMe SSD for additional game storage.

5. The Power Supply

With the power-hungry components in this build, choosing the right power supply was crucial. I opted for the Corsair SF 750 watt small form factor power supply. Its full modularity, 80 Plus Platinum efficiency, and individually sleeved cables made cable management a breeze. The small form factor design was perfect for the compact ITX case and ensured efficient power delivery to all the components.

6. The Graphics Card and CPU Struggles

Ah, the graphics card and CPU—the stars of the show. Getting my hands on an RTX 3080 and Ryzen 9 5950X was no easy feat. Despite diligently refreshing websites and joining notification servers, stock shortages and intense competition made it a frustrating experience. However, after weeks of persistence and a stroke of luck, I managed to secure an ASUS TUF Gaming RTX 3080 and a Ryzen 9 5950X. Both components were essential for the power and performance I desired in my build.

7. Benchmarking and Performance

Now that we've covered the build process, let's dive into the performance of this beastly PC. I conducted extensive benchmarking tests on various games to gauge the capabilities of the Why Not PC build. Whether you're a gamer or a content creator, these results will give you a sense of what to expect from this powerhouse.

8. Gaming Performance in Rainbow Six Siege

Rainbow Six Siege is a popular multiplayer FPS game that demands both precise gameplay and efficient system performance. With the Why Not PC build, I pushed the graphics settings to the limit at both 1440p and 1080p resolutions. The results were impressive, with the Ryzen 9 5950X delivering an average frame rate increase of 30 fps compared to its predecessor, the Ryzen 9 3950X. Even at the lowest graphics settings, the Why Not PC build flexed its muscles, providing smooth gameplay and a competitive edge.

9. Gaming Performance in Escape from Tarkov

Escape from Tarkov, known for its intense realism and demanding system requirements, was another game I tested on the Why Not PC build. Surprisingly, the results were a bit unusual. While the Ryzen 9 5950X showcased its power in other games, its performance in Escape from Tarkov didn't see significant improvements over the Ryzen 9 3950X. Both CPUs struggled to maintain stable frame rates, especially when changing resolutions mid-game. It's worth noting that Escape from Tarkov is notorious for its poor optimization, so these results may not be representative of other games.

10. Gaming Performance in Star Citizen

Star Citizen, a highly anticipated space exploration and combat game, provided a visually stunning and immersive experience on the Why Not PC build. With the graphics settings maxed out, the performance was solid at 1440p, with the Ryzen 9 5950X outperforming its predecessor. However, when it came to lower resolutions, such as 1080p, the performance didn't see significant improvements. Nevertheless, the Why Not PC build handled Star Citizen with ease, showcasing its ability to handle graphically demanding games.

11. Gaming Performance in Valorant

For the esports enthusiasts, I couldn't omit testing the Why Not PC build's gaming performance in Valorant, a competitive and fast-paced shooter. At max graphics settings, the Ryzen 9 5950X showed its prowess, consistently delivering higher frame rates compared to the Ryzen 9 3950X. However, when switching to the lowest graphics settings, the difference in performance became less noticeable. Regardless, the Why Not PC build provided a smooth and responsive gaming experience, giving players an edge in competitive matches.

12. Thermals and Cooling

When it comes to performance, thermals play a significant role in ensuring optimal system operation. In the case of the Why Not PC build, I expected similar thermals to Optimum Tech's M1 build. However, I encountered some differences. While idle temperatures were within acceptable ranges, heavy loads and intensive tasks such as video rendering pushed the CPU temperatures to the upper limits. With the side panel on, the CPU reached 86°C, and removing the side panel only brought a modest improvement to 81°C. Although a bit higher than desired, these temperatures didn't pose an immediate concern. It's worth noting that as a reviewer, I'll be using this CPU until the next best option arrives, allowing me to upgrade and potentially address any thermal challenges.

13. Final Thoughts and Recommendations

In conclusion, the Why Not PC build has exceeded my expectations in both gaming and content creation. The combination of the powerful Ryzen 9 5950X and the RTX 3080 delivers exceptional performance, allowing for buttery-smooth gameplay and seamless video editing. While there were some challenges along the way, the satisfaction of completing this build and reaping the rewards was worth every moment of frustration. If you're a dedicated gamer or content creator looking for a high-performance PC, I highly recommend considering the Why Not PC build. Its compact form factor, incredible capabilities, and sleek design make it an excellent choice for enthusiasts. So, why not embark on your own PC upgrade journey?

Highlights

• The Why Not PC build offers exceptional gaming and content creation performance.
• Selecting the right ITX case and components plays a critical role in achieving the desired results.
• The Ryzen 9 5950X and RTX 3080 showcase their power in various benchmarks and gaming tests.
• Thermals and cooling can be a concern in compact ITX builds but can be managed with proper fan configuration.
• Consideration should be given to optimize the graphics and CPU performance in specific games for the best gaming experience.

FAQ

Q1: Can I use a different ITX case for the Why Not PC build? A1: Yes, you can choose a different ITX case based on your preferences and requirements. The EnCase M1 was selected for its portability and aesthetics, but there are other viable options available.

Q2: Are the thermals of the Why Not PC build a cause for concern? A2: While the CPU temperatures during heavy loads were slightly higher than desired, they are within acceptable limits. Monitoring and proper airflow management can help mitigate any potential thermal issues.

Q3: Is the Why Not PC build suitable for both gaming and content creation? A3: Absolutely! The combination of the Ryzen 9 5950X and RTX 3080 provides excellent performance for both gaming and content creation tasks. Whether you're rendering videos or immersing yourself in the latest games, this build has got you covered.

Q4: Can I upgrade the components of the Why Not PC build in the future? A4: Yes, the Why Not PC build is designed with future upgrades in mind. As new hardware releases, you can swap out components to keep your system up to date and maintain peak performance.

Q5: How can I optimize the gaming performance of the Why Not PC build? A5: To optimize gaming performance, ensure that your graphics drivers are up to date and adjust in-game graphics settings based on your preferences. It's also recommended to monitor background applications and close any unnecessary ones to free up system resources.

Resources:

• Optimum Tech YouTube Channel
• ASUS ROG Strix X570-I Motherboard
• Samsung 980 Pro SSD