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Build a high-performance $2,200 AMD Ryzen 7 PC

Looking to build a high-end PC around AMD's new Ryzen 7 1800X processor? Here's what you need.
By Adrian Kingsley-Hughes, Contributing Writer
CPU: AMD Ryzen 7 1800X
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CPU: AMD Ryzen 7 1800X

AMD's top-end, 4.0 GHz, 8-core is a behemoth that can beat Intel's $1,000 Core i7-6900K.

  • AMD SenseMI Technology
  • AMD XFR (eXtended Frequency Range) Technology
  • Socket AM4
  • Max Turbo Frequency 4.00 GHz
  • 16MB L3 Cache
  • 4MB L2 Cache
  • DDR4 Support
  • Unlocked Processor
  • Thermal Design Power 95W
  • AMD Wraith Spire Cooler included (so you save money on having to buy a third-party cooler)

Price: $500

Motherboard: ASUS Prime X370-Pro AM4
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Motherboard: ASUS Prime X370-Pro AM4

The ASUS Prime X370-Pro AM4 features the X370 chipset, and comes with support for 64GB of RAM, and the following expansion:

  • 2 x PCI Express 3.0/2.0 x16 slots
  • 1 x PCI Express 3.0/2.0 x16 slots
  • 1 x PCI Express 2.0 x16 slot
  • 3 x PCI Express 2.0 x1 slots
  • 8 x SATA 6.0Gb/s ports
  • 1 x USB 3.0/2.0 ports (Type-C)
  • 5 x USB 3.0/2.0 ports (blue,Type-A)

Price: $160

RAM: Corsair Vengeance LED 32GB DDR4
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RAM: Corsair Vengeance LED 32GB DDR4

Why 32-gigabyte? Why not!

Since I'm filling all the RAM slots I'll tune the speed down to a more reasonable 2400 MHz to avoid compatibility issues until motherboard drivers become more stable.

Price: $270

Graphics: EVGA GeForce GTX 1080 FTW GAMING ACX 3.0
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Graphics: EVGA GeForce GTX 1080 FTW GAMING ACX 3.0

Nvidia's flagship GeForce GTX 1080 is the most advanced gaming GPU ever created, powered by the new NVIDIA Pascal architecture, which means it's just the graphics card to put into this build (unless you want to wait for the new GTX 1080 Ti cards to appear).

  • CUDA cores: 2560
  • Base Clock: 1721 MHz
  • Boost Clock: 1860 MHz
  • Bus: PCI-E 3.0 2-way SLI Ready
  • Memory: 8GB 256-Bit GDDR5X
  • 1 x Dual-Link DVI-D 1 x HDMI 2.0b 3 x DisplayPort 1.4

Price: $590

Primary storage: Samsung 960 EVO M.2 500GB NVMe PCI-Express 3.0 x4 SSD
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Primary storage: Samsung 960 EVO M.2 500GB NVMe PCI-Express 3.0 x4 SSD

A super-fast SSD to put your operating system and other applications you want to load fast onto.

  • M.2 2280
  • 500GB
  • PCI-Express 3.0 x4
  • Max sequential reads: Up to 3200 MBps
  • Max sequential writes: Up to 1800 MBps

Price: $275

Secondary storage: WD Black 2TB WD2003FZEX
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Secondary storage: WD Black 2TB WD2003FZEX

A secondary drive for your data, applications and other general storage needs.

  • Interface: SATA 6.0Gb/s
  • Capacity: 2TB
  • RPM: 7200 RPM
  • Cache: 64MB
  • Improved Architectural Designs: Dual Core Processor, High Resolution Controller (HRC), StableTrac Technology
  • Improved Data Protection: Vibration Control Technology (VCT), Corruption Protection Technology (CPT), NoTouch Ramp Load Technology
  • Superior responsiveness with the next-generation speed that you need

Price: $130

PSU: Corsair RMx Series RM1000X 1000W 80 Plus Gold
7 of 9 Adrian Kingsley-Hughes/ZDNET

PSU: Corsair RMx Series RM1000X 1000W 80 Plus Gold

This 1000W PSU offer plenty of overhead for overclocking and adding more components such as an additional GPU or more drives.

  • ATX12V / EPS12V
  • Full Modular
  • 80 PLUS GOLD Certified
  • 100 - 240 V 47 - 63 Hz
  • +3.3V@25A, +5V@25A, +12V@83.3A, -12V@0.8A, +5VSB@3A

Price: $160

Optical drive: ASUS Black Blu-ray Burner BW-16D1HT
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Optical drive: ASUS Black Blu-ray Burner BW-16D1HT

Does everything you could ever want from an optical drive.

  • Extreme 16X Blu-Ray writing speed
  • M-disc Support
  • BDXL Support

Price: $85

Case: Phanteks Eclipse P400S Silent Edition
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Case: Phanteks Eclipse P400S Silent Edition

What case you get is a very personal choice (and if this is something you're going to be looking at and working with for the next few years, it's sometimes worth investing in).

Personally, I like a case that is robust (flimsy cases are a pain), aren't filled with sharp metal shards that will rip at my flesh, and offer plenty of space for hardware.

  • Steel/Plastic/Tempered Glass ATX Mid Tower
  • 2 x USB 3.0/Mic/Headphone front ports
  • 6 x 3.5-inch/2.5-inch internal 3.5-inch drive bays

Price: $90

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