Building My Dream PC: A Journey of Passion and Resourcefulness

Embarking on my journey as an IT professional, I realized that my outdated laptop wouldn’t suffice for the future I envisioned. Despite financial constraints, I was determined to save up for a more capable computer that could meet my needs. This blog chronicles my meticulous planning and the thrilling process of building my dream PC, overcoming challenges along the way.

Planning:

Laptop vs. Desktop

Comparing the benefits of portability and upgradability, I concluded that a desktop offered more flexibility for future impro

vements. Investing in a high-quality case, fans, power supply, and CPU cooler would enable me to reuse these components in future builds, reducing costs significantly.

Choosing the Right Case:

Seeking a “forever case,” I opted for the Lian Li 011 Dynamic XL. With ample space for expansion, hot-swap bays

, and a USB 3.2 Gen 2 type C connector, this case perfectly matched my requirements and added a touch of elegance to my build.

Air Cooled vs. Water Cooled:

Considering my gaming and video editing needs, I opted for a Lian Li Galahad AIO cooler with a full 360 radiator. This choice ensured optimal cooling capacity even if I upgraded to a more powerful CPU in the future.

Fans for Optimal Airflow:

Following advice from Jay’s Two Cents YouTube channel, I chose the Lian Li SL/AL fans that allowed daisy-chaining u

p to four 120 mm fans, reducing cable management issues. I invested in seven of these fans to ensure efficient airflow and long-term usability across multiple systems.

Careful Component Selection:

With budget limitations, I selected the AMD Ryzen 5 5600x CPU, which offered a balance between price and performance. Th

e TUF Gaming X570-Pro Wifi motherboard met my requirements, albeit with a minor compromise. For storage, I incorporated a smaller M.2 drive for the main system and planned to add additional storage in a RAID setup later.

Strategic RAM Selection:

Opting for 32GB of DDR4 RAM, I found an incredible deal on Triton Z Royal sticks, adding a touch of aesthetics to my build while staying within budget.

Graphics Card Dilemma:

Navigating the challenging market conditions during the pandemic, I decided to prioritize value and future upgradability. I initially purchased the ASUS GeForce GT 1030 2GB and later upgraded to an NVIDIA 3050, which significantly enhanced my gaming experience.

Power Supply Considerations:

Choosing a fully modular power supply, the Super Flower Leadex III 750W 80+ Gold, I ensured clean cable management and prepared for future upgrades.

Purchasing and Building:

To optimize costs, I patiently scouted for deals and gradually accumulated the components. Finally, with my wife’s support, I meticulously assembled the parts, streamed the process on Twitch, and meticulously managed cable routing for an aesthetically pleasing build.

 

Conclusion:

Through months of planning, researching, and carefully selecting components, I successfully built a powerful and visually stunning PC. Despite minor adjustments and improvements along the way, the end result surpassed my expectations. My new PC is now the cornerstone of my IT work, providing unmatched performance and productivity. This journey taught me the value of perseverance, resourcefulness, and the joy of creating something truly extraordinary.

 

Thank you for joining me on this adventure!