Ready to build a new PC in 2025? Our updated TechSpot PC Buying Guide features four builds for four budgets, covering everything from entry-level to high-end, with smart picks for today's market.
TechSpot PC Buying Guide: 2025 Update
- Thread starter Amir Shoam
- Start date
MarkHughes
Posts: 409 +503
Would be nice to see all these built and tested against each other, Just to see how they fare as whole systems. 
torvuswalds
Posts: 15 +29
TechPowerUp has a great review article for the ASRock Steel Legend 9070, while its not going to be as powerful as a 5090 it still averages 60+ FPS at 4k, 115 FPS at 1440p, and 152 FPS at 1080p. Thats the average taken from the results of all 24 games they tested. So yeah, thats a solid option.
The High End Gaming system is a bit flawed. Mixing a X3D with a 9070 and calling it High End is a laugh. The 9070 is at the low end of midrange. I would even suggest dialing that X3D down to the 9600x which pairs better with the base 9070. Oh, and then renaming the system midrange gaming system.
torvuswalds
Posts: 15 +29
https://www.techpowerup.com/review/asrock-radeon-rx-9070-steel-legend-oc/31.html
Just check it out my man, it can game very well.
At 1080. This is 2025, not 2010.
torvuswalds
Posts: 15 +29
Its fairly decent at 1440p and can even do 4k. (Not everyone is gaming at 1440p or 4k)
No 9000 series CPUs… no 5000 series GPUs… no threadrippers?
Yet you have a high end section?!?
Not to mention prices will vary TREMENDOUSLY by region, especially with tariffs looming…
Yet you have a high end section?!?
Not to mention prices will vary TREMENDOUSLY by region, especially with tariffs looming…
torvuswalds
Posts: 15 +29
I kind of agree, it seems they are being a bit modest with their choices. Especially with the high end section, I might be mistaken didnt they use to have a sort of "Money Isnt An Issue" section?
Yeah... I miss that "money isn't an issue" section.... Where's the Threadripper 7980x with 2 x 5090 cards and 512GB of RAM?
It wasn't a "money isn't an issue" section. Threadripper-based systems simply used to offer a better value than they do now.
torvuswalds
Posts: 15 +29
Just some PC Part P**nography. Thats all haha
torvuswalds
Posts: 15 +29
Thats fair, I thought I might have been mis-remembering, man I wish we could go back to first or second gen Threadripper, those days were wild.
At face value / based on newer branding alone, I would agree. But check out the actual performance output on the full reviews and the recommendations are spot on unless you want to overspend for 2% more performance (CPUs).
The GPU choice is high-end mainstream, not true high-end, but had they recommended a $3000 RTX 5090 or $1500 RTX 5080 upfront, who is that for anyway?
Performance is still better… there used to be a “money is no object” section… and Threadripper’s give WAY more performance for a workstation than the 9950x… yes, not with value, but again, “money is no object” section…
What about a 4090? Or a 4080? Those would give better performance and can be acquired for cheaper than a 9070 or 5070Ti… they’re recommending 7000 series CPU’s and 6600 GPU at the Budget model…so why not those at the high end?
Their choice, but have you seen how expensive the 4090 and 4080 still are? At least twice the price of the Radeon anyway.
I see the 4080 Super selling for the same or less than the 9070xt - and I’d MUCH rather have the 4080 Super at even close to the same price…
As for the 4090, it is harder to find, but can be bought cheaper than the 5080 - and it’s a better deal at any comparable price as well.
Not in the US... are you talking new or used?
Where is that? 907XT are around $800 and up and 4080 Super starts around $1400. If you have a source for $800 new 4080 Super please post it here.
In Canada, can get 4080 super for $1600 - which is approx $1000 US… 9070xt is harder to find, but cheapest I’ve seen them is $1500 Canadian… or approx $960 USD
You can get 9070XT in the US in the $800-900 and up range. The prices have destroyed enough demand that they are available.
And the 4080 Super is less than $100 more…. I’d get the 4090 - it’s only a couple hundred more…
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