A High-End Gaming PC Build FT. Corsair AIR 5400

Components

CPU: AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D

The AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D is AMD’s flagship gaming CPU, engineered for high-performance workloads and cutting-edge titles. With sixteen cores and thirty-two threads, it’s not just a gaming beast; it handles multi-core tasks like streaming, rendering, and simulation with ease. Built on the Zen 5 architecture and equipped with 128MB of L3 3D V-Cache, it’s optimised for cache-sensitive operations, making it especially effective in gaming scenarios where latency and data access speed matter.

As part of the Ryzen 9000 series, it’s ready for the next wave of AAA games and demanding applications. Paired with our selected GPU and housed in a chassis designed to keep your components cool, this build delivers powerhouse performance. For a deeper dive into what makes this CPU exceptional, check out our AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D Review.

CPU Cooler:  Corsair iCUE Link H150i

The Corsair iCUE Link H150i is a high-performance All-In-One liquid CPU cooler with a 360mm radiator and support for Corsair iCUE Link. Designed for powerful builds, it offers efficient, easy RGB lighting synchronisation, simple cable management and more for up to 24 devices.

Thanks to its modular iCUE Link system, setup is simplified – reducing cable clutter and enabling unified control of lighting and fan curves through Corsair’s software. The cooler’s triple-fan configuration ensures strong airflow across the radiator, making it ideal for high-core-count CPUs like the Ryzen 9 9950X3D.

For installing the front-panel radiator in the Corsair Air 5400’s third chamber, it’s worth temporarily removing the plastic divider between the main and third chambers. This gives you more room to manoeuvre while mounting the pump and radiator, making it easier to route the cooler’s tubing without kinking or stressing the AIO lines. Once everything is in place, you can reinstall the dividing wall and push the pipes to the top to maintain the case’s internal structure and airflow separation.

Motherboard: GIGABYTE X870E AORUS ELITE X3D

GIGABYTE’s X870E AORUS ELITE X3D is a high-performance motherboard that enthusiasts will love. It is designed with enhanced gaming and multitasking in mind for AMD’s 3D V-Cache processors, such as our AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D. It has a built-in AI model and hardware circuits that dynamically optimise the 9950X3D’s processor parameters in real time, significantly boosting its performance with a single click.

With support for up to 256GB of DDR5 memory running at speeds up to 9000MHz (via overclocking), the X870E AORUS ELITE X3D is built to handle extreme multitasking and memory-intensive workloads. Its dual-channel architecture ensures optimal bandwidth, while AMD EXPO support simplifies memory tuning for Ryzen processors. Whether you’re pushing high-resolution gaming, streaming, or creative applications, this board is ready to keep at pace.

The X870E AORUS ELITE X3D is available in two colours: black and white. It is a visually attractive unit that handles thermal dissipation in style, from the ostentatious engraved M.2 Thermal Guard Ext to the sleek VRM Thermal Armour heat sink to its subtle RGB flashes. This motherboard is sure to elevate both the aesthetics and performance of your build.

Future connectivity is no question here, as GIGABYTE has designed the motherboard to deliver blazing data-transfer speeds to get you through the next generation of network, storage, and Wi-Fi connectivity. It has Dual Native 40 Gbps USB4, front and rear USB Type-C and 5G LAN ports.

RAM: Corsair Dominator Titanium Grey

Our PC build features the Corsair Dominator Titanium RAM kit, delivering a blend of premium design and performance. One standout detail is the swappable top bars, compatible with CORSAIR DOMINATOR TITANIUM Fin Accessory Kits. These fins aren’t just for show: they actively assist in heat dissipation, helping maintain stable temperatures and prolonging memory lifespan under load.

For this gaming-focused setup, we opted for a 48GB 6000 MT/s kit to further boost performance. The added capacity supports demanding titles and multitasking, while AMD EXPO ensures smooth overclocking on our Ryzen 9 9950X3D, unlocking every ounce of responsiveness the system can offer.

SSD: Samsung 9100 Pro

For storage, we have opted for the Samsung 9100 Pro with a 4 TB capacity. It’s one of the fastest Gen5 NVME SSDs on the market. For a PC build of this tier, we wouldn’t recommend opting for a storage capacity below 4 TB, as you’re likely to use this PC for storage-intensive tasks like multimedia creation or gaming. We’re going with the 4TB option to future-proof the build a little, since the space games require can be pretty sizable nowadays. It’s worth ensuring you have enough in reserve to avoid being caught short.

GPU: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5090 FE

The RTX 5090 is the pinnacle of 4K gaming, boasting the fastest gaming GPU on the market. It offers jaw-dropping features, including AI-enhanced graphics and performance with DLSS 4 and Multiframe generation, as well as full ray tracing with neural rendering. The possibilities are almost endless for the experiences this GPU can produce, especially when paired with an equally powerful processor like the AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D. To find out more about why we have chosen to pair the 9950X3D with an RTX 5090, read our recommendation for the Best CPUs for the 5090.

The NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5090 FE may be difficult to purchase, as the FE model is typically only available in retail on the original release date. If it becomes available for purchase again, it tends to sell out quickly. I’m going to recommend the Gigabyte GeForce RTX 5090 GAMING OC, which retains some of the sleek aesthetic we are aiming for, while also being compatible with our case.

Case: Corsair AIR 5400

This is one of Corsair’s most interesting chassis in years. It features a bold, triple-chamber design that physically isolates the CPU’s cooling unit from the rest of the system, giving it its own fresh-air intake. In theory, this separation offers a thermal advantage, especially when paired with a high-performance AIO. Physically, the case resembles a large cube, so be prepared for a substantial footprint.

Corsair’s AIR 5400 comes in two models: the Corsair AIR 5400 RS-R and the Corsair AIR 5400 LX-R. For this PC build, we are recommending the LX-R model because it is the most compatible with our Corsair iCUE Link H150i cooler. Both the case and the cooler use the iCUE Link ecosystem, which simplifies installation, avoids cable headaches, and saves money by ensuring full ecosystem support. We’ve recently reviewed the Corsair AIR 5400 in more detail, covering its standout features and layout options.

One of the most compelling aspects of the AIR 5400 is its airflow strategy. Dual air ducts channel fresh intake directly into the GPU chamber, making it ideal for next-gen cards like our RTX 5090. This helps maintain lower operating temperatures under load, reducing thermal throttling and improving long-term stability. The LX-R RGB model also includes enhanced front I/O and an internal layout tailored for high-performance iCUE Link builds – a future-conscious consideration that rounds out its appeal.

PSU: Corsair HX1500i

This build contains some pretty powerful specs. For example, our AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D has a default power requirement of 105W, and NVIDIA recommends at least 1000W for a system using the GeForce RTX 5090. These are the two most power-hungry components, and to ensure the PC as a whole has enough headroom for future upgrades, we have opted for the Corsair HX1500i power supply. The price tag for this component does seem a little scary, so we want to reassure you that any PSU with over 1000W, ATX 3.1 and PCIe 5.0 certification, and 80 PLUS Platinum certification will be sufficient for this build.

Corsair’s HX1500i ties in very nicely with the consistent Corsair theme we’ve tried to stick with for this build. You can plug this PSU into your motherboard via USB Type-C and sync it with Corsair’s iCUE software to visualise performance and cooling stats.

Gallery

Performance

This build, anchored by the Ryzen 9 9950X3D and RTX 5090, delivers exceptional performance across a range of modern, demanding titles at 4K high graphics settings. F1 25 and Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 shine in comparison. With average frame rates over 200 FPS, the rig demonstrates its ability to handle fast-paced, competitive games with ease. Even visually intense titles like Cyberpunk 2077 maintain solid performance, averaging 98 FPS, though the lower 0.1% dips suggest occasional stutter in complex scenes.

Games like Marvel Rivals, Doom: The Dark Ages, and Battlefield 6 all hover comfortably above 90 FPS, with strong 1% and 0.1% lows that reflect stable frame pacing. Battlefield 6 is a more CPU-intensive game, so it was impressive to see it maintain a temperature of 70℃ – a true testament to the cooling power of our Corsair iCUE Link H150i cooler.

This level of performance ensures smooth gameplay across genres, whether you’re navigating chaotic multiplayer battles or exploring richly detailed environments. With this setup, 4K gaming feels effortless.

Video