Building a High-End 4K Gaming PC! FT COUGAR’s CFV235 Case

Components

CPU: AMD Ryzen 7 7800X3D

The AMD Ryzen 7 7800X3D is a brilliant gaming CPU. Although it isn’t from the latest generation, it still holds its own incredibly well against the latest releases. Specs-wise, the 7800X3D sports a base clock speed of 4.2GHz and a boost clock of 5GHz, so top-end gaming shouldn’t pose any issues for this CPU. It is worth noting that the 8 cores and 16 threads on this CPU should provide consumers with ample power for productivity applications as well.

Needless to say, AMD’s Ryzen 7 7800X3D is an excellent option for those looking to build a new PC. This CPU has seen a significant price drop since its release in 2023 and is an incredibly competitive option in the PC gaming space, making it the go-to choice for many. For those building a modern 1440p or 4K gaming PC, it remains a fantastic pick. While AMD’s newer Ryzen 7 9800X3D does offer noticeable gains – especially in cache-heavy titles – the 7800X3D holds its ground admirably and remains a go-to choice for cost-conscious enthusiasts.

CPU Cooler: COUGAR Poseidon Vistek Pro ARGB 360

The COUGAR Poseidon Vistek Pro ARGB 360 combines a 360 mm radiator with a high-definition 3.95-inch IPS LCD, offering both reliable cooling and striking visuals. With COUGAR’s LCD Editor, users can customise the display with GIFs, images, or live system stats. The unit comes with pre-installed ARGB PWM fans to ensure balanced thermals and quiet operation, making it a versatile choice for gamers and creators alike. During our testing, we found that this cooler delivers mid-range temperatures, helping keep our AMD Ryzen 7 7800X3D cool under load.

Motherboard: MSI MPG X870E CARBON WiFi

We’ve chosen the MSI MPG X870E Carbon WiFi motherboard for this gaming PC build. The Carbon WiFi has been reviewed well across our articles and is generally a board we’d recommend for mid-range and top-end PC builds. This board features an all-black aesthetic with minimalist RGB lighting on the rear IO shield.

Regarding expansion and connectivity, the MPG X870E Carbon WiFi offers vast Gen5 support, with space for two Gen5 SSDs and a PCI-E 5.0 graphics card. Rear IO support is plentiful, with this board featuring nine USB 3.2 Gen2 Type-A ports, two USB 3.2 Gen2 Type-C ports, and two USB4 Type-C ports, along with dual 5 Gigabit and 2.5 Gigabit LAN ports.

RAM: G.Skill Trident Z5 NEO DDR5

This futuristic DDR5 RAM kit is designed specifically for AMD-based platforms with overclocking in mind. We always recommend going with a 32GB memory kit at 6000MT/s or higher to ensure good gaming performance in any build. The sleek, minimalist design of the Trident Z5 NEO complements the clean, modern PC build we are aiming for. It’s for that reason that they are an all-around great choice for performance and visual appeal, with extra options for RGB syncing, too.

SSD: Samsung 9100 Pro

Storage is often a little-appreciated component that has come a long way in a few years. The Samsung 9100 PRO is a super-fast PCIe Gen 5.0 x4 drive that was designed with high-end gaming PCs in mind, with a bandwidth of around 14,000MB/s. For context, this is around twice as fast as its Gen4 predecessor, marking a considerable generation performance uplift. It also has an onboard thermal controller that effectively keeps drive temperatures under control. It is available with a heatsink, which will do a good job of dissipating heat, but we are opting for a board with built-in SSD cooling and, as such, have chosen the standard, non-heatsink derivative for this build. For high-performance builds such as this one, we recommend selecting a storage capacity of 2TB or higher, as you’ll want enough headroom for plenty of games and applications, especially as they are growing exponentially in storage size.

GPU: MSI GeForce RTX 5080 16G Expert

Our GPU of choice has an interesting appearance; the MSI GeForce RTX 5080 16G Expert appears to be inspired by the design language of the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5080 Founders Edition. The EXPERT Series graphics cards embody the elegance of a finely crafted masterpiece. They are encased in precision die-cast aluminium alloy, the exterior showcases refined industrial artistry while delivering exceptional structural integrity.

The graphics card comes equipped with 16GB of GDDR7 VRAM and MSI’s FLOW FROZR 2 cooling solution that ensures sustained performance under heavy gaming and rendering workloads. Paired with our Ryzen 7 7800X3D CPU choice, this combination delivers exceptional frame rates and responsiveness. Together, they form a balanced powerhouse: the GPU provides cutting‑edge ray tracing and AI‑driven graphics, should you choose to enable them, while the CPU ensures low‑latency, cache-optimised processing. With its premium design and forward‑looking specifications, the MSI GeForce RTX 5080 16G Expert stands not only as a statement piece of hardware but also as a cornerstone of a future‑proof system.

Case: COUGAR CFV235

The Cougar CFV235 is a striking mid‑tower designed for builders who want both performance and flair. Its dual‑chamber vertical layout, built around Cougar’s Central Floating Ventilation Structure, creates a “floating” effect by separating the PSU from the bottom intake fans. This clever design ensures that each component draws in its own fresh air, delivering cooler operation and more efficient thermal management.

Out of the box, the CFV235 comes equipped with one pre‑installed 120 mm fan, a Unity 240 single-frame PWM reverse-blade unit and an integrated fan and RGB hub, making airflow control and cable management refreshingly simple. The radiator support extends up to 360 mm, giving enthusiasts plenty of flexibility for liquid-cooling setups. At the rear, the case is fully compatible with motherboard connections, so if the bundled hub doesn’t suit your preferences, you can easily integrate your own solution.

For those who want something extra, the Vision edition of the CFV235 adds a digital twist with a bottom‑mounted screen for system monitoring or personalisation. Paired with bold aesthetics, this chassis offers a terrific new way to showcase hardware while keeping airflow under control. One notable mention: if you pair the Vision SKU with the Cougar Poseidon Vistek Pro ARGB 360 CPU Cooler, your system will feature two screens that can display the same types of content. This might be something you might want to consider.

PSU: MSI MAG A850GLS PCIE5

To keep brand coherency in this build, we’ve opted for MSI components where possible, and the power supply is no exception. While any reliable 850W unit would be sufficient, it’s essential to ensure that whichever PSU you choose meets modern standards: ATX 3.1 compliance, PCIe 5.0 support, and 80 PLUS Gold efficiency certification. These specifications guarantee that the unit can handle today’s demanding GPUs, deliver stable power, and operate with reduced energy waste. Something that is just as crucial is that the PSU must physically fit within the chassis, which, in this case, is well accommodated by the Cougar CFV235.

The MSI MAG A850GLS PCIE5 ticks all of these boxes while offering the convenience of a fully modular design, allowing you to connect only the cables you need for a cleaner, more efficient build. One standout feature is its thoughtful approach to GPU cabling: the 12V‑2×6 connector is dual‑coloured, with a yellow housing that acts as a visual safety check. If the cable isn’t seated correctly, the yellow remains visible; once properly connected, it disappears, giving you instant confirmation that your GPU is securely powered. This small but clever detail helps prevent misinstallation and adds peace of mind, especially when working with high‑power graphics cards.

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