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STARTER BUILD / RigAtlas starter

Air-Cooled X3D PC Build: Ryzen 7 7800X3D & RTX 4070.

Illustrative white PC tower with pale blue lighting and visible cooling tubes. Actual selected parts may differ.Images are for reference only. Refer to the linked store for actual product images.
ABOUT THIS BUILD

Compare this Ryzen 7 7800X3D and RTX 4070 list with newer complete baskets before buying old stock. Its 32 GB RAM and 1 TB SSD keep capacity moderate. The slim NH-U12S redux avoids a front fan over the memory and leaves a published 12 mm height allowance in the 4000D. It favors straightforward installation; temperatures and noise still depend on the workload and fan settings. Budget is a planning target, not a retailer quote. Image is an illustration.

8 componentsBudget in USD
CONFIGURATION

AM5 with more headroom

8 / 8 core parts
COMPONENTYOUR SELECTIONRECORDED PRICE
Processor
AM5 · DDR5
US · USDNo current quote in USD.
Not recorded
Motherboard
AM5 · DDR5 · ATX
US · USDNo current quote in USD.
Not recorded
Graphics card
12 GB GDDR6X
US · USDNo current quote in USD.
Not recorded
Memory
DDR5 · UDIMM
US · USDNo current quote in USD.
Not recorded
Storage
M.2 2280
US · USDNo current quote in USD.
Not recorded
Power supply
ATX
US · USDNo current quote in USD.
Not recorded
CPU cooler
Slim single tower
US · USDNo current quote in USD.
Not recorded
Case
Mid-tower
US · USDNo current quote in USD.
Not recorded
Recorded prices are entered by you in USD. Retailer prices, tax and delivery may differ.
YOUR BUILD, EXPLAINED

The build review

Based on selected hardware and published requirements

Updates with your selection
Our take

You have room to explore. Let the workload choose the next upgrade.

CPU cores8 cores
System memory32 GB
Dedicated video memory12 GB

CS2 · Windows memory requirements

Both recorded memory capacities meet the CS2 Windows minimum. Other requirements remain unchecked.

What you have

GeForce RTX 4070 VENTUS 2X 12G OC is your selected graphics card. Its 12 GB memory is capacity, not a speed score.

What decides the result

These two checks use Valve’s Windows minimum requirements. They do not establish frame rate, preferred settings or support for another game.

Capacity references only · meeting these is not a performance score or full application approval.

Recorded capacity against the selected reference
Recorded hardwareThis buildReferenceCapacity check
System memory32 GB8 GBCS2 minimum RAMReference met
Dedicated video memory12 GB1 GBCS2 minimum video memoryReference met

Still to verify for CS2

  • Check the operating system and CPU against Valve’s Windows requirements; a core count alone cannot verify the processor.
  • Verify DirectX 11 and Shader Model 5.0 support for the exact GPU and installed driver. Shared system memory does not verify the video-memory requirement.
  • Confirm at least 85 GB of free storage on the installation drive. The capacity printed on an SSD is not its available space.

This changes the comparison advice below. Valve’s minimum memory requirements stay the same.

The next move

For 1440p, compare CS2 tests at 2560 × 1440 with the same game version and preset. Check average frame rate and 1% lows against your monitor’s refresh rate.

Compare game tests and graphics requirements

CS2 official requirements ↗References checked: 2026-10-17

THE CHOICES BEHIND THIS PARTS LIST

Who this build is for

A Ryzen 7 7800X3D and RTX 4070 configuration retained for comparing an older X3D platform with newer complete baskets.

Why these components are together

The X3D processor makes gaming CPU behavior part of the choice, while the 12 GB RTX 4070 has separate rendering and software limits. Use exact workload evidence for both.

The 32 GB DDR5 kit and 1 TB SSD keep capacity moderate. More CPU cache does not replace system memory or graphics memory when a project needs those resources.

The NH-U12S redux uses a slim single tower that does not cover the memory slots. Its 158 mm published height leaves 12 mm against the 4000D AIRFLOW limit; there is no tall front fan to lift above this kit.

Tradeoffs and checks before ordering

  • The slim single tower keeps the memory slots accessible. Its temperatures and noise depend on the workload, fan settings and case airflow; do not assume the performance of a larger dual-tower cooler.
  • Noctua lists the cooler for this CPU and motherboard. Confirm the supplied mounting hardware, case airflow and acceptable temperatures with your actual workload; this is a document-based selection, not a tested system.
  • Compare the delivered cost against newer X3D and GPU options instead of treating an older recommended list as permanently best value.

What to change first

For a future CPU change or a quieter sustained workload, compare the cooler manufacturer’s CPU guidance and independent thermal evidence before choosing a larger cooler. Check its fan, RAM and case dimensions together.

Document checks for this starter (English)

Manufacturer documents, checked against the original parts list. These are not assembly or benchmark results.

Keep the memory accessible without raising a front fan
Document finding

NH-U12S redux + Ryzen 7 7800X3D + B650 GAMING PLUS WIFI + 4000D AIRFLOW

The complete cooler is 158 mm tall against a 170 mm case limit: 12 mm nominal allowance. Noctua states that this slim design does not overhang RAM, and lists the cooler for the selected CPU and motherboard.

Build decision: Use the standard single-fan arrangement. The 35 mm memory remains accessible without raising the cooler fan toward the case side panel.

Still to check: Check the mounting parts in the purchased box and verify temperatures and fan noise with your workload. This smaller tower is not claimed to match dual-tower cooling, and the complete assembly has not been physically tested.

Document review:
32 GB capacity does not depend on enabling EXPO
Document finding

CORSAIR CMK32GX5M2B6000Z30

The kit is 2 x 16 GB; its 6000 MT/s EXPO setting is separate from the 4800 SPD speed.

Build decision: Keep the memory capacity estimate at 32 GB even before EXPO. Validate the profile only after a stable default boot.

Still to check: No claim is made that every physical kit revision reaches 6000 MT/s with this CPU and firmware.

Document review:
Either documented M.2 socket has an x4 path with this CPU
Document finding

MSI B650 GAMING PLUS WIFI + Ryzen 7000 CPU

M2_1 and M2_2 are Gen4 x4 and accept 2280 drives. The x2 exception is for 8500/8300-series processors.

Build decision: Use M2_1 for a straightforward initial installation; M2_2 is a documented expansion option with the current CPU.

Still to check: An added drive's physical heatsink and firmware still need checking, and a CPU swap can change the lane result.

Document review:

This is an editorial parts-list explanation. The planning target is not a current retailer total, and this configuration has not been benchmarked by RigAtlas.

Checks for this parts list

Look closer at the component choices

Before changing a component

Each comparison includes a model in this list. Check what the alternative would solve and which other parts would need to change.

Compare another starting point

Component specification sources