My Journey into PC Building: From Pre-Built to Custom Masterpiece
My Journey into PC Building: From Pre-Built to Custom Masterpiece
Introduction
When I purchased my first desktop PC in November 2022, I had no idea that it would kickstart a journey into the world of PC building that would take me from simple upgrades to advanced modifications. That initial purchase was a celebration—a reward for landing a new role as an IT Technician with Phoenix Management Solutions after a tenure at an IT MSP where, despite my high performance, there was no clear path to promotion. Joining Phoenix was an exciting opportunity to help build the company’s IT infrastructure from the ground up, and I wanted a machine that reflected my new beginnings.
I opted for the Lenovo Legion Tower 5, powered by an AMD Ryzen 5800 processor and an RTX 3060 GPU. This was a big deal for me—my first desktop PC ever. Growing up in the 2000s, we had a desktop in the house, but my interaction with it was limited. Since then, I had only used laptops, so this was my reintroduction to the world of desktops.
The First Upgrade: A Gateway to PC Building
In May 2023, I made my first major upgrade—a leap to an RTX 4080. I thought this would be the one upgrade that would keep my system running smoothly for years to come. However, fitting the RTX 4080 into my Legion Tower 5 required several fan replacements and significant adjustments to the case. What I didn’t anticipate was that this upgrade would uncover multiple bottlenecks within the system, from power consumption to heat management. This realization was the catalyst that transformed my interest from simply owning a powerful PC to truly understanding and building one.
Tinkering Begins: The Domino Effect
After the GPU upgrade, the domino effect of upgrades began. I started with the basics—upgrading the RAM and increasing my SSD storage capacity. But the more I tinkered, the more I realized how much more I could optimize my build.
In October 2023, I decided to take a more serious step by transferring my components into a new NZXT case paired with an MSI motherboard. I installed additional fans and, for the first time, applied an AIO (All-In-One) water cooler to the CPU. This was a significant upgrade that not only improved performance but also taught me a lot about heat management and system cooling.
Advanced Modding: From Liquid Metal to Custom Cooling
November 2023 marked the start of more advanced modifications. I applied liquid metal to the CPU, ensuring to use the proper protective coating around the CPU to avoid damage. This mod significantly improved thermal performance, lowering temperatures and allowing for more stable operation under load.
But I didn’t stop there. In March 2023, I ventured into custom modding territory. I removed the fan shroud from the RTX 4080 and applied an NZXT bracket to connect the GPU to an AIO water cooler, essentially creating a custom cooling solution. This mod was one of the most challenging yet rewarding projects I’ve undertaken, and it paid off with a noticeable increase in performance and a significant reduction in GPU temperatures.
Looking Ahead: The Final Build (For Now)
As I continue on this journey, my next step is finalizing a build with the HYTE case and an AMD Ryzen 7950X3D processor. This build is aimed at being a top-end productivity desktop that will serve me well into the future, at least until the release of AMD’s Zen 6 line. With ample clearance, efficient cooling, and robust processing power, this PC will be the culmination of everything I’ve learned in my journey so far—a machine that’s not just built for today but engineered to handle the demands of tomorrow.
Building PCs has become more than just a hobby; it’s a way to continually challenge myself, optimize performance, and stay at the cutting edge of technology. I’m excited to see where this journey will take me next, but for now, I’m looking forward to enjoying the fruits of my labor with a system that’s uniquely my own.