Creating a Gaming Masterpiece: My First Custom PC Build Featuring Pokémon Flair

In the realm of custom PC builds, one can often find inspiration in the most unexpected places. For my inaugural venture into building a computer from scratch, I decided to infuse a bit of personality into my setup with the playful presence of two beloved Pokémon—Dratini and Rockruff. As Rockruff takes advantage of the cooling fans to beat the heat, Dratini is on guard, ensuring that my premium GPU remains secure and sag-free.

The Journey Begins

This journey towards creating my first fully customized PC came at a crucial time. My previous setup, featuring an R5 3600 and an RTX 1660 Super, was not only struggling with Windows 11 compatibility but was also hampered by a lagging GPU. Rather than merely upgrading the motherboard and GPU, I chose to start anew, creating a machine that truly reflected my gaming aspirations.

Initially, I aimed to replicate my earlier GPU pick—the RTX 3070. However, as I delved deeper into component research, fortune smiled upon me when I discovered a 5060 Ti with 16 GB of memory available at the manufacturer’s suggested retail price. This discovery prompted a shift in my build strategy. I upgraded to a superior motherboard and transitioned from a Ryzen 5 to a Ryzen 7, while also investing in a reliable power supply unit. Admittedly, I invested more than I initially planned, but the end result was a fulfilling experience that has paid off in infinite gaming enjoyment.

Specifications That Impress

With the 5060 Ti chosen as the heart of my build, I designed a mid-range gaming PC capable of running virtually any title at 120 FPS on ultra settings at 1440p resolution. My current setup excels, and I find myself considering whether to upgrade to a 5070 or 5070 Ti in the future, granted GPU prices continue to trend downwards.

Here’s a look at the key components of my build:

• CPU: AMD Ryzen 7 9700X
• GPU: Gigabyte GeForce RTX 5060 Ti 16 GB
• Motherboard: Gigabyte B850M Gaming X Wifi6 Micro ATX AM5
• Cooler: ID Cooling SL240 Liquid Cooler
• Memory: 32 GB (2×16 GB) T-Force Delta DDR5-6000
• Fans: 6x Cooler Master MF120 Halo2