---
title: 'How to Upgrade a Lifelong Tech Enthusiast - AMD $5000 Ultimate Tech Upgrade'
source: 'https://youtube.com/watch?v=H4BKUbtCmp0'
video_id: 'H4BKUbtCmp0'
date: 2026-08-25
duration_sec: 1800
channel: 'Linus Tech Tips'
---

# How to Upgrade a Lifelong Tech Enthusiast - AMD $5000 Ultimate Tech Upgrade

> Source: [How to Upgrade a Lifelong Tech Enthusiast - AMD $5000 Ultimate Tech Upgrade](https://youtube.com/watch?v=H4BKUbtCmp0)

## Summary

In this video, Linus and his team visit Jordan, a DIY enthusiast, to upgrade his tech setup with a new AMD-powered gaming PC, woodworking tools, and off-grid equipment. The episode combines humor with practical tech insights, showcasing the build process and the rationale behind component choices.

### Key Points

- **Introduction to Jordan's DIY Setup** [00:03] — The video introduces Jordan, a DIY enthusiast, and the team plans to upgrade his tech setup with various tools and equipment.
- **Sponsor Announcement: AMD** [01:19] — AMD sponsors the video, offering a giveaway for a Ryzen 7 9800 X3D and a Gigabyte Gaming RX970 XT GPU.
- **Exploring Jordan's Woodworking Space** [02:01] — The team explores Jordan's woodworking area, noting his tools and projects, including a sliding door and various furniture pieces.
- **Jordan's DIY vs. Store-Bought Items** [04:14] — Jordan explains his approach to DIY versus buying, stating he makes items that matter and buys cheaper items like IKEA furniture.
- **Understanding the Combo Planer Jointer** [06:16] — The team explains the combo planer jointer, detailing how jointing flattens the edge and planing adjusts thickness.
- **PC Parts Rationale** [11:04] — Jordan discusses his PC build, choosing AMD components for gaming performance, including the 9800 X3D CPU and a Gigabyte GPU.
- **Airflow and Cooling Strategy** [12:13] — The team plans the airflow setup, deciding on top intake and exhaust configurations to optimize cooling for the new components.
- **RAM and SSD Choices** [16:26] — Jordan uses Crucial RAM and a 1TB 9900 Evo Plus SSD, noting that 1TB is sufficient for his gaming needs.
- **Power Supply and Case Setup** [20:36] — The team installs a power supply and discusses the case's orientation, noting the unique stand that allows for a sideways build.
- **Jordan's Truck and Off-Grid Setup** [26:49] — Jordan shows his truck with a solar generator setup, planning to convert it into a camper, highlighting the efficiency of the vehicle.
- **Final Summary and Sponsor Thanks** [29:04] — The team wraps up, summarizing the upgrades and thanking AMD for sponsoring the video.

### Conclusion

The video showcases a comprehensive tech upgrade for a DIY enthusiast, balancing practical component choices with the fun of building. It emphasizes the importance of airflow, component selection, and the value of DIY projects.

## Transcript

ultimate tech upgrade. And this time it's Jordan, the king of buy or DIY. it's Jordan, the king of buy or DIY. Or should I say just DIY. What do you Or should I say just DIY. What do you buy for the man who DIYs everything?
you've already got one of those. Seriously though, the man makes all the things. And this isn't even a really cool one. Look at this fight stick. So, the answer, of course, is more stuff for diying. We've got a drawing board, a
diying. We've got a drawing board, a combo planer jointer, some offgrid stuff. You going off the grid? >> Could I got a stove? >> I didn't order that. I think it came with the Enterprise.
with the Enterprise. >> Brilliant. There's also a gaming PC. And truck, right? >> Well, mostly that's the jackery and the tools and stuff to build stuff for the truck. Just say yes then.
>> He has the coolest truck. Now it's time to roll the coolest intro. to roll the coolest intro. >> That was kind of lame.
going to get a brand new AMD Ryzen 7 9800 X3D paired with a Gigabyte Gaming OC Radeon RX970 XT GPU. That's everything you need for high FPS performance while enjoying breathtaking visuals so you don't miss a beat through
any playthrough. The 9800 X3D can handle CPUheavy titles, while the 970 XT lets you forget why settings beyond ultra high even exist. If you're interested in this sick combo, just click the link in the video description to enter for a
chance to win your very own Ryzen 7 9800 X3D along with a Gigabyte Gaming 9070 XT. Best of luck and for the lucky winner, enjoy your upgrade. I guess the first thing we'll do is poke around a little bit as is tradition.
it. >> Woodworking is Jordan's vice. >> It's going to be a day, guys. Strap in. >> What room of the house is that? Technically, that's the dining room. >> Oh, and then this is a more traditional
>> A little bit more. Yes. >> Yeah. Okay, cool. I see you've made some >> Yeah. Okay, cool. I see you've made some upgrades since we reviewed your setup or well roasted it. This is freaking awesome. Do you use it often? I mean, it
looks it is not that dusty. >> I'm not good, but yeah. >> Yep. >> That'll be a fun game today. >> All right. >> Okay. You guys can keep score at home.
a notepad and you can keep track of your guesses are correct. If you get them all Jordan, you've got all the typical makery stuff. But then all we have to do is move a curtain aside and we find Wait, what? What am I even looking at
>> Bunch of old audio gear. >> It's kind of heavy, by the way. >> I noticed to do what? Uh, mostly that's compressors, equalizer, and then uh for doing music. >> Oh, okay. Cool. All right. PC deck here.
>> That's from a Christmas party a couple of years ago. later on. >> Heck is a hydrangeed blue edition. >> Hydrangeanger. >> Oh, that makes way more sense. Now for
our first challenge. This sliding door. >> Yeah, I made that. Nice. Moving over into the kitchen. This is probably one of the most complete LTT seen. >> Technically, you made that.
>> Technically, you made that. >> Uh, I bet I didn't. >> Seriously though, how do you end up with so much of this stuff?
>> Fit testing and modeling mostly. >> Oh, you're one of our only 3XL's on >> Yep. So, you just get one of everything >> just about somewhere over there. >> What a hack. Time for a twofer.
This fruit basket and this paper towel holder. >> No. Yes. >> Yes. I knew it. Without further ado, why don't we get started on the upgrade? >> All right. That's some kind of IKEA
>> Nice. >> Here you go, Ree. Good luck. who obviously values quality woodworking, >> what's up with all the IKEA? It seems like you go one way or completely the
other way. >> That's perfectly fine table and it's like 50 bucks. I could spend, you know, four or five hours making that or I >> But when I need something that matters, then I make it. Make the workbench.
then I make it. Make the workbench. >> Got it. >> We'll put these back now. >> Question for you. Do you make these just
for fun or is this like a side hustle? >> Mostly for fun, but I'll sell them >> Yeah. Where do people buy them? >> Uh, nowhere yet, but probably on Etsy. >> What other kind of stuff do you make for it?
there. >> That's cute. While Reese is on the >> Sure, sounds good. >> Are you sure you didn't want the fancier budget.
>> we live with this every day. >> Oh, I noticed you got some production gear. Is the plan to stream some stuff? >> No idea yet. I had money left over. >> I think you could have picked stuff with easier resale value if that was the
>> We're actually going to put the planer on that table, by the way. first time I put something on it. >> It was funnier this way. >> Great. Where do you put anything down?
>> That's that's the thing. If you have surfaces, then stuff goes on them, >> So, no surfaces, >> right? Only HP, Lenovo. Okay. As ASUS, all fine. Oh jeez. >> No surfaces. Sorry, Microsoft.
>> Oh boy. Basically, this is two tools in one. We have a jointer up top. so you don't cut your fingers on here, >> right? Cuz that would be sharp. That's
Well, these guys here are sharp. >> The little carbide inserts. >> So, what this does is you set your first surface of your piece of wood. You make >> right? But that would be planing then,
>> No. Planing is doing the top surface of the wood. That would go in here. So, like, let me get a hunk of wood. >> Wherever would he find a hunk of wood in this place? So jointing is doing the short end
>> Okay. >> And then planing is for thickness. in here. >> Question for you. You You don't actually do woodworking in here, do you? >> Depends if the landlord's watching.
>> Pieces like this for cutting into pennants and stuff or cool or something. It needs to be perfectly square. in general. >> This would be more of like a a prep
tool. >> Right now, I have to do it manually, >> Yeah. >> But it's quieter. That's why there's a little bumper on it. Yeah.
>> Awesome. How's it going over there, Ree? >> I I need We need more spaces. Can we upgrades? >> Is that possible? you really not want to be able to buy anything from IKEA?
>> Yeah. Reese, always the bridesmaid is finally going to be a bride. >> Um, no. I hate IKEA. >> We have to make sure he's included something from IKEA that he has to make. >> I think we're on the same wavelength
>> power outlet. >> No, don't go in there. >> Oh, wow. You have all the cool stuff in here, Jordan. >> But like brooms. >> Battery storage. So organized.
Wait, you play badminton? >> Why do you never come to badminton night? Siri. >> It is at the head end of Siri. Thank you
>> Yeah. >> Well, look. All right. What else? You got an Index VR in here. >> Yeah. have been a little while ago, I think. >> Yeah. It's too late now.
>> We're going to make a wood. >> We're going to make a wood. >> A block. A Jordan block, you might say. >> Oh, dear.
hooked that up to a vacuum. >> Well, yeah. >> it's actually fairly quiet, too. >> Oh, right angles. Look at that. I guess >> Sure. >> All right. Cool.
>> That's a nice little piece of kit. >> Thanks, AMD. >> Probably the kitchen counter. >> All right, going back to building PCs in
case. >> Good luck. going? >> You know what? No, I don't want to know. >> Okay, I've got a challenging one for you guys. These ornamental wood pieces
Jordan made or bought? >> I bought those. >> They're pillows. This is going to be a tough one. >> This cat scratcher. Bought or diyed?
>> Where's the cat? >> No longer here. >> Me neither. >> I was about to say this is probably one
of the ultimate upgrades where it is least necessary for me to do anything to tech work longer than I did. >> Yeah, but it's funnier if you do it.
>> Oh, sorry. >> Still good. Now, Jordan, I couldn't help noticing I didn't actually see a gaming rig anywhere. >> It's in on the TV. >> Oh,
right there with the panel half off. >> That's a very Jordan gaming attempt. Are we stealing anything from it? I didn't see Oh. Oh, yeah. No, I did >> Okay. See you later, buddy. >> Yep.
>> Why don't we talk through parts rationale a little bit? I don't even remember. Um, >> AMD, AMD, >> AMD, AMD, >> AMD, AMD.
offers up all the features that you need. Very solid IO, including Wi-Fi 6E. although >> that's all I've got here anyway. >> For a gaming rig, it's probably all you need. And it offers up compatibility
with the latest CPUs. Jordan went with the 9800 X3D because gaming >> Yep. >> All right. With eight Zen 5 cores clocked at over 5 GHz boost, not to mention AMD's 3D
GHz boost, not to mention AMD's 3D vcache. This is the bee's knees when it vcache. This is the bee's knees when it comes to gaming and should last Jordan basically until uh this system looks kind of like the one that's next to his
TV. Now, for his AIO, Jordan chose the Aqua Elite 360 V6 ARGB Black from Thermal Rate. Why? Because Thermal Rate is untouchable right now for value for AIO's. It's freaking crazy. I don't know how they're
doing it. What do you plan in here in terms of like airflow situation? Cuz configured for exhaust. >> So, my entire plan was this is a Linus >> So, my entire plan was this is a Linus problem.
into the GPU here. And then this triple rad is so overkill for a 9800 X3D anyway getting a little bit of reused air off the GPU. >> So, we'll go across this way. What do
of naturally. >> Yeah. Or what we could do is we could leave these here and go exhaust and just count on passive intake from the bottom and from the front. Do you have any other fans kicking
fans kicking around. >> Here's an Origin PC fan. Another Origin >> All right. >> So, that could help. >> You know what? Yeah. No, let's just let's just assist
>> let's just assist blowing fresh air onto the GPU. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. There. Let's go like that. So, we'll have a somewhat Oh, that gives us somewhat negative pressure, though. But
everything on this case. >> Yeah, we should be okay. >> Let's have Can I have a look at your GPU? Like, how how overkill is the >> That's a good question. >> Okay. Cuz if it has a super overkill
cooler, then I'd probably be comfortable putting the AIO here and then blowing CPU warmed air over the GPU, which again is not ideal. I'd describe this as moderately kill. This is the Gigabyte Gaming RX970 XT. So, 16 gigs of VRAM,
pretty darn fast GPU cores featuring AMD's RDNA4 architecture. Uh, it's not a particularly hot running GPU, but this also is not a gigantic cooler.
also is not a gigantic cooler. Um, so it would be here. >> This comes out. >> This piece comes out. Okay. Anyway, so >> Yeah, >> this is going to sound crazy. Uh-oh.
>> We switch these around. We do a top intake. >> Okay. >> That will blow more fresh air down over >> Pull out here. >> And we'll draw fresh air down for our
>> Yeah. >> And we'll balance our air flow overall >> Yeah, that's a good call. >> Okay, we're going to do it. Crazy. >> That is bigger than I thought.
>> Yeah. >> Thought it was wood. >> Take it back. No. >> Okay. Well, that's cool. the couch >> where the rock wall ledge
>> I don't think these wall spaces are going to be big enough. >> No. I mean, the entire perimeter of this room is pretty problematic. >> It's That's actually so true. Every every wall has a ledge.
ended. >> It never started to begin with. >> Okay. >> Uh landlord. >> Uh landlord. >> Love you.
feels like a very early project. >> Not for any reason. It's just zero uh care is given. >> Truly like >> I just needed something to throw in the corner. And so 10 minutes of half ass
>> a quarter ass maybe. >> Yeah, of an ass for that. >> Very little ass. >> He came to help. >> Yeah, we've been waiting for you.
>> What the heck? You guys could have worked on the computer. >> It's part of a duck. >> Now you're the detectives man, not us. >> Yeah. >> Check it out. We made a stool. No, I
don't even want your help anymore. Forget it. I'm over it. Actually, I wouldn't mind the help. Uh, do you want to throw the RAM on? >> How'd you end up with Crucial RAM? >> I ordered this many months ago. Maybe I
>> I mean, it's like a museum piece at this point, >> dude. That is worth some money. This RAM belongs in a museum, >> right? >> Next up, SSDs. one terabyte 9990 Evo
Plus. Why was it chosen? Because one terabyte is enough. drive these days, >> going more was crazy expensive. So, >> 1 TB was the magic threshold. Although,
>> Yeah. >> With that said, with games being as I play this game and only this game forever as they are now, do you need that many of those 150 plus gig games installed at once? It's not really.
>> This is super weird. >> Yeah. And then here, let me get that out of your way. Yeah. Kind of like and such, right? >> My IO is in here. >> Yeah. That kind of blows chunks.
The hell? I guess this comes off easy. >> Oh, are you taking that off again? Oh, >> Well, it'll go through here. >> Yeah, it's just stupid. There's a hole >> Oh, I can I can see that. >> Are you just going to take the top off
>> No. >> I bet he will. other one. >> That's cuz the screw holes are broken. 100 years old, man. It was a crap case to begin with.
everything correctly. I don't want to do this again. Crap. really hope I don't have to undo all these screws? these screws? >> Yeah.
or if you jinxed it by recording it. Damn it. But I have to take them all out. I have to move everything down like this much. >> Oh, Just look at where all the uh front panel IO is.
>> Oh, nice. Right under those fans. Solid. I am a little confused by Duck. Do you >> like in general or >> No, like right now specifically. Do you guys need real work to do? >> It's part of the upgrade.
>> Why don't you do that poster? >> Yeah, we can find out what I ordered. >> let's let's find out what poster Jordan ordered. >> Well, I know one of the posters he ordered already. It's the uh Gigabyte
Eagle B850. It's going to post, is it not? >> Not now. Oh, you ruined it. >> It's awesome. Pawsome. It's a whole >> Wow.
>> There you go. >> It's got a very convincing texture to >> There's a frame for that somewhere. >> Nice. >> I don't know where it went. Oh, here.
>> And when you're done, no one's going to believe that you did it >> because you'll have framed What? I did the setup wrong. All right.
>> We in. Yeah. A little something like that. Very nice. Let me figure out what orientation we want on the cooler here. I get the feeling he just doesn't really I get the feeling he just doesn't really care.
>> Look how cute he is. >> It's beautiful. And it perfectly hides. >> Are you going to let me see it? >> Okay, fine. >> Oh, that is cute. Where does it go?
>> Somewhere in the living room. Do >> you have any thing to hang it? expert. He doesn't really need your help with where to put it. >> I'm trying to organize all these stupid power and RGB things coming off all
>> No. >> Oh, you're just not going to plug it in? >> I'm not going to plug that in. >> Oh, sick. Oh, that makes my life so much >> I'll just take all the RGBs. >> How many fans are over there?
a thing. >> Yep. And I'll put a twist tie on them. >> we should put a power supply in here at >> I think maybe I'm going to I'm going to play Lionus guesses Jordan's rationale
for another component. This was a perfectly chromulent power supply that delivered a reasonable amount of power >> at a reasonable price. >> Solid. Let's talk power supply orientation for a second here. Normally
down. >> Yeah. crazy. All right. >> Fan side up. >> Yeah. Because we're already bringing air kind of down this way.
>> Um Yeah. So, when you're gaming, it'll >> That a little bit. Not much. >> Yeah, I like that. >> Okay. Hold on. There is one X factor. What is that exactly?
>> I It's some kind of stand for this. This is identical to the top. >> Wait, wait. You didn't flip that right. >> We go to all the work to build the computer sideways and then they sell a
computer sideways and then they sell a stand so that you can flip it to be oriented right side. Are you kidding me? This is so trippy. >> I think this is the closest I've ever seen a 24 pin to
>> the power supply. Yeah, you you could use a cable like this long. Okay, there we go. This might actually come together kind of nice though. >> We're getting there.
>> Definitely not color coordinated. But yeah, other than that, good. Sorry. I hate to impose Jordan, but could I borrow a nail file from you? See, I just pulls, it's going to pull like right down the middle of my finger, which
sucks. This story line definitely doesn't belong in the main YouTube cut There's going to be cutting room floor stuff at lmg.gg. GG/flow plane for sure. We just see if magically something
What did we do differently? Why you got to get me struggling with this? Jordan craftsmanship or storebought? Why? Why are you recording me doing Why? Why are you recording me doing this?
turned out looking pretty good. And also this horrible ugly 25 was there. Turns out it is celebrating Thermaltch's 25th anniversary. And no, people are not pleased about that. Wow.
You know, Reese, they say that you have an interior design background, but truly I could not have anticipated how perfectly placed that Opasum was going
>> What can I say? >> Well done, Reese. It actually looks a >> I've been told that I hang things too high my entire life cuz I'm a tall guy. >> Right. >> And now I'm getting lambasted.
>> it's a little low. >> It's a little low. monitor then. >> Monitor right here.
>> Primary the TV, >> that's secondary like Discord and stuff. No computer chair. Just >> couch. >> Straight up couch. And then Oh. Oh, time
for another round of Who built it? >> Nice. What is it? >> Well, that's my remote power cable. >> Power button. >> Remote power cable.
couch. >> Yeah. adapter >> little splitter.
>> This case really feels like the anti- Jordan block case. >> It really is. >> It's the case for people who want to faf about a bunch anytime they want to do anything. Did you Did you look at it at
>> No. >> Okay. I didn't need it, but I didn't feel like selling it. So, I just kind of hang on to it for a year or so and then problem.
>> Oh, that does look nicer. >> Turn it on. See what happens. >> That 25 is such an eyesore. >> Yeah, that's really dumb. >> We're going to put something over that. >> Yeah, it I mean, yeah, I'm sure that you
was going to do. >> You were going to do the same thing? Double-sided tape. >> Oh, nice. I thought you were going to get a thing to put there. Oh, you were just going to get the tape. Yeah. Nice.
>> Heads. >> Heads. All right, let's do it. >> Fire it up. Let's see what happens. >> Are you an Auntu all day, everyday guy,
to be Debian. >> Oh. >> To get around to doing that, but uh this is just quicker to set up for now. >> Got it. But yeah, I'm Debbian guy for like 20
card. >> Uh, yeah. >> Yeah, it wasn't good. >> AMD doesn't always love it if I tell you exactly what GPU he was using. Let me put it this way. It is 10 years old and
put it this way. It is 10 years old and I'm 80% sure that titanium is a really good metal. >> Don't never see through that one. It is not suitable for 4K really much of anything these days. This is a huge
do. >> Yeah, >> I can't get over how cool this thing is. think, right? >> March, maybe.
>> Give or take. >> You can fit so little stuff in this. Except that's not actually true because the size of the bed is not that different from like a big North American truck that uses way more fuel. And Oh,
yeah. Oh, Jordan's working on the party trick.
>> so freaking cool. So, the plan is to convert this into like a camper, right? I'll look a canopy camper kind of pop-up thing probably. And that I guess would just go on top of the canopy. And then a Jackaryi Explorer
1000 that's going to be good for like at the very least overnight. But sun for a couple of days, I think you'd be good on this bad boy. something like >> Yeah. Yeah. A drill for 4 hours.
>> That's a lot of drilling. >> I think we'll be okay. microwave for like 52 minutes. >> Make a chicken or something. >> I I I think you'll be all right. This is
freaking cool. And the craziest part is just like how much room do we waste in North American designed vehicles because the cab is it's not even small.
>> No, you can stretch your leg out like a foot in front of you like foot in front of you like >> like the bed is normal size. >> Yeah. >> I just don't understand.
>> I want one so bad. >> So cool. I don't know how safe these are >> Is this all that's left then? >> I think so. >> I don't know. >> 95% of people would trust a random
person wearing a Star Trek shirt >> over a random person wearing a Star Wars >> Oh, 100%. I will be honest. I would judge depending on what Star Trek shirt >> cuz it depends on the series, right? >> GS9.
>> Oh, yeah. >> Okay. Reboot movie. >> I'm okay with it. >> But no, but it's not whether you're okay >> Like, would you trust the person Star Wars guy?
decks. >> Lower Decks is just Next Generation >> Okay. Well, which one wouldn't you trust more? Original series. anyway, though. Well, no, but we're not talking about
the actors. Jordan, >> most of the fans were dead, too. >> Felt like 60 years, but somehow we got through today. And we got a lot done.
Woodworking tools. We built an entire new PC setup. We checked out Jordan's truck with his awesome looking new solar generator setup. And you guys built for that. While I was busy working, >> we were unsupervised.
about those guys. >> He wasn't part of the duck. >> How did I not notice >> you were busy? >> Just like I'm busy thanking AMD once again for sponsoring AMD Ultimate Tech
partner and they make incredible technology which always makes it really easy for us to integrate AMD tech into these upgrades. Sick gaming rig, sick at the next one. >> Thanks, A MD.
check out the one we did with Robert from our creator warehouse team. It was also very DIY ccentric. He even had a welder. That was cool. That was really welder. That was cool. That was really cool.