In the dynamic world of technology, building a personal computer tailored to specific needs is both a challenge and an opportunity. For university students or researchers involved in robotics, a PC must handle complex computations, simulations, and data processing while also being capable of running light gaming applications for downtime. This blog post explores a carefully curated PC build designed for these dual purposes, detailing each component’s role, its suitability for robotics research and gaming, and addressing a critical compatibility issue with the CPU cooler and memory slots. With a total cost of approximately $1,251.92, this build offers a balance of performance, efficiency, and affordability.
Component Breakdown
Below, we break down each component, explaining why it was chosen and how it contributes to the build’s goals. The components were selected based on their performance, compatibility, and value, ensuring they meet the demands of robotics research and light gaming.
1. CPU: AMD Ryzen 5 9600X 3.9 GHz 6-Core Processor ($165.00)
The AMD Ryzen 5 9600X is a powerful yet budget-friendly processor that serves as the heart of this build. With six cores and twelve threads, it excels in multitasking, making it ideal for robotics applications such as simulations, data analysis, and machine learning tasks. Its base clock speed of 3.9 GHz and boost up to 5.4 GHz ensure it can handle demanding workloads efficiently. According to TechPowerUp, the Ryzen 5 9600X offers excellent energy efficiency and single-threaded performance, making it a compelling choice for gamers and researchers alike. While some reviews, like TechSpot, note that it may not outperform its predecessor significantly and is pricier, its $165 price point in this build makes it a cost-effective option for the intended use cases.
2. CPU Cooler: Thermalright Peerless Assassin 120 SE 66.17 CFM ($34.90)
Cooling is critical to maintain system stability during intensive robotics simulations or gaming sessions. The Thermalright Peerless Assassin 120 SE is a standout choice, praised by Tom’s Hardware for its exceptional cooling performance and whisper-quiet operation at just $34.90. Featuring six heat pipes and dual 120mm PWM fans, it ensures the Ryzen 5 9600X remains cool under heavy loads. However, a key consideration is that its dual heatsink and fan design completely covers the memory slots on the motherboard, as noted in the user’s query. To address this, shorter RAM sticks are recommended, which is why the Crucial Pro Overclocking DDR5-6000 CL36 kit was selected. GamersNexus also highlights its value, making it an excellent choice for budget-conscious builders.
3. Motherboard: Gigabyte B850M GAMING X WIFI6E Micro ATX AM5 ($159.99)
The Gigabyte B850M GAMING X WIFI6E is a feature-rich motherboard that supports AMD Ryzen processors on the AM5 socket. It offers PCIe 5.0 support for high-speed components like the Samsung 990 EVO Plus SSD and includes WiFi6E for reliable wireless connectivity, which is ideal for a university environment where wired connections may not always be available. Its compact Micro ATX form factor is perfect for space-constrained settings, and Geeknetic praises its build quality and value. Features like X3D Turbo Mode enhance gaming performance, making it a versatile choice for this build. Customer reviews on Amazon also commend its reliability and affordability.
4. Memory: Crucial Pro Overclocking 32 GB (2 x 16 GB) DDR5-6000 CL36 ($84.99)
Memory is crucial for robotics research, where handling large datasets and running multiple applications simultaneously is common. The Crucial Pro Overclocking DDR5-6000 CL36 kit provides 32 GB of fast DDR5 memory, offering ample capacity and speed for both research and gaming. Its overclocking capabilities allow for enhanced performance, and Tom’s Hardware notes that its Micron D-die ICs give it an edge over competitors. The 2 x 16 GB configuration ensures compatibility with the Thermalright Peerless Assassin 120 SE cooler, as shorter sticks avoid interference with the cooler’s design. WCCFTech highlights its suitability for both Intel and AMD platforms, making it a reliable choice.
5. Storage: Samsung 990 EVO Plus 1 TB M.2-2280 PCIe 5.0 X2 NVME SSD ($66.48)
Fast storage is essential for quick data access, which is critical in both robotics research and gaming. The Samsung 990 EVO Plus delivers impressive sequential read and write speeds of up to 7,250 MB/s and 6,300 MB/s, respectively, as noted by Tom’s Hardware. Its support for PCIe 5.0 x2 ensures compatibility with modern systems, and its 1 TB capacity provides ample space for research data, software, and games. PC Gamer praises its performance and efficiency, making it a top-tier choice for this build. Its DRAM-less design with a host memory buffer (HMB) ensures high performance without excessive power consumption.
6. Video Card: NVIDIA Founders Edition GeForce RTX 5070 12 GB ($549.00)
The NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5070 is a mid-range GPU that balances performance and efficiency, making it suitable for light gaming and GPU-accelerated tasks in robotics, such as machine learning or simulations. With 12 GB of GDDR7 memory, it offers sufficient bandwidth for modern games, though some reviews, like TechSpot, note that its VRAM may limit future gaming performance. TechPowerUp highlights its introduction of Neural Rendering technology, which could benefit future robotics applications. For the current needs of this build, the RTX 5070 provides excellent performance at 1440p gaming and supports research tasks effectively.
7. Case: Lian Li A3-mATX MicroATX Mini Tower ($72.98)
The Lian Li A3-mATX is a compact case that supports Micro ATX motherboards and large components, making it ideal for this build. Its minimalist design and excellent ventilation ensure that high-performance components like the RTX 5070 and Ryzen 5 9600X stay cool. Digital Trends names it the best Micro ATX case of 2024, praising its price, build quality, and compatibility with large components. GamersNexus notes its affordability and versatility, though it lacks robust cable management options. Its 26.3L form factor is perfect for a university setting where space is limited.
8. Power Supply: Corsair RM750e (2025) 750 W Fully Modular ATX ($99.99)
A reliable power supply is the backbone of any PC build. The Corsair RM750e (2025) is ATX 3.1 and PCIe 5.1 compliant, ensuring compatibility with modern components like the RTX 5070. With 750 W of power, it provides ample headroom for this build, and its fully modular design aids cable management in the compact Lian Li A3-mATX case. Hardware Busters praises its efficiency and low noise, with a Cybenetics Platinum efficiency rating and LAMBDA-A+ noise rating. Customer feedback on Amazon highlights its reliability and quiet operation.
9. Case Fans: Thermalright TL-C12C-S X5 66.17 CFM 120 mm Fans 5-Pack ($18.59)
Additional case fans are essential for maintaining airflow in a compact case. The Thermalright TL-C12C-S X5 fans are budget-friendly ARGB fans that deliver 66.17 CFM of airflow at a quiet 25.6 dBA, as noted on Thermalright’s website. A 5-pack ensures optimal ventilation for the Lian Li A3-mATX case, keeping temperatures low for high-performance components. Amazon reviews praise their performance and value, though some users note minor RGB control issues at low brightness. These fans are a cost-effective solution for enhancing cooling.
Build Considerations
Compatibility
A critical consideration is the compatibility between the Thermalright Peerless Assassin 120 SE cooler and the RAM. The cooler’s dual heatsink and fan design covers the memory slots on the Gigabyte B850M GAMING X WIFI6E motherboard, necessitating shorter RAM sticks. The Crucial Pro Overclocking DDR5-6000 CL36 kit’s 2 x 16 GB configuration was chosen to avoid interference, ensuring a smooth build process.
Cable Management
The Lian Li A3-mATX case offers decent space for cable management, particularly with the fully modular Corsair RM750e power supply. This helps maintain airflow and keeps the build tidy, which is crucial in a compact case to prevent overheating.
Future-Proofing
While the RTX 5070’s 12 GB VRAM is sufficient for current gaming and robotics tasks, some reviews suggest it may become limiting for future games. For robotics research, GPU requirements vary, but the RTX 5070’s capabilities, including Neural Rendering, should handle most tasks effectively. If budget allows, users might consider a GPU with more VRAM for future-proofing.
🔥 Thinking of building a compact yet powerful gaming PC?
Check out our full Mini ITX Gaming PC Build Guide for 2026 to see the best parts, setup tips, and performance insights for your next small-form-factor rig.
👉 Read the complete guide here and start your dream build today!
Cost Breakdown
| Component | Model | Price |
|---|---|---|
| CPU | AMD Ryzen 5 9600X 3.9 GHz 6-Core | $165.00 |
| CPU Cooler | Thermalright Peerless Assassin 120 SE 66.17 CFM | $34.90 |
| Motherboard | Gigabyte B850M GAMING X WIFI6E Micro ATX AM5 | $159.99 |
| Memory | Crucial Pro Overclocking 32 GB (2 x 16 GB) DDR5-6000 CL36 | $84.99 |
| Storage | Samsung 990 EVO Plus 1 TB M.2-2280 PCIe 5.0 X2 NVME SSD | $66.48 |
| Video Card | NVIDIA Founders Edition GeForce RTX 5070 12 GB | $549.00 |
| Case | Lian Li A3-mATX MicroATX Mini Tower | $72.98 |
| Power Supply | Corsair RM750e (2025) 750 W Fully Modular ATX | $99.99 |
| Case Fans | Thermalright TL-C12C-S X5 66.17 CFM 120 mm Fans 5-Pack | $18.59 |
| Total | $1,251.92 |
Conclusion
This PC build is tailored for robotics research and light gaming, offering a balance of performance, efficiency, and cost. Each component was selected to meet the specific demands of these use cases, ensuring the system is powerful, reliable, and compact for a university setting. The Ryzen 5 9600X and RTX 5070 provide robust processing and graphics capabilities, while the Samsung 990 EVO Plus SSD ensures fast data access.
The Lian Li A3-mATX case and Corsair RM750e power supply keep the build compact and reliable, and the Thermalright fans enhance cooling. By addressing the CPU cooler’s compatibility issue with shorter RAM sticks, this build is optimized for both functionality and ease of assembly. Whether you’re running complex simulations or enjoying casual gaming, this system is designed to deliver.
Hi, I’m Nghia Vo: a computer hardware graduate, passionate PC hardware blogger, and entrepreneur with extensive hands-on experience building and upgrading computers for gaming, productivity, and business operations.
As the founder of Vonebuy.com, a verified ecommerce store under Vietnam’s Ministry of Industry and Trade, I combine my technical knowledge with real-world business applications to help users make confident decisions.
I specialize in no-nonsense guides on RAM overclocking, motherboard compatibility, SSD upgrades, and honest product reviews sharing everything I’ve tested and implemented for my customers and readers.
