♡ Content Creation Recs | PC Specs, Programs I love, + More.

As of February of this year, I have been a director and content creator for two full years now! In that time I've played around with a lot of different programs and parts. As of currently these are the programs, websites, and products that I use regularly. Here's my list of picks from video editing software to sound libraries. I also included my entire PC set up since I get a lot of questions about it. You don't need these exact things, but here's all the stuff I use to make Lykaia, create custom content for The Sims 4, etc. If you have any questions about anything else I use then let me know!

COMPUTER SPECS [Part by part breakdown.]

╰┈➤ CUSTOM BUILT PC FROM NEWEGG [Built in 2022.]

𝗣𝗿𝗶𝗰𝗶𝗻𝗴: $1,667.62 on 04/28/2022 | About $2500 after later upgrades.

Overall 𝗥𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴: ★★★★★

My older sister got her custom built computer from Newegg, so naturally I got my custom built computer from Newegg. I think Newegg is great! The entire process of getting my PC built was extremely easy. It was just an add-on service that I paid for. They did a great job building it. I haven't had any issues with it as a whole. Just a few parts that didn't work for me. Which I was able to get changed out and refunded easily. They have a guide that walks you through building a PC. It helps you pick what parts you need and automatically shows you what's compatible. As someone who has never built a computer before, this was really helpful. After having it for years I'm a bit more knowledgeable. I plan on keeping this one for a while, but if I do ever decide to upgrade then I will be buying from Newegg again.

• PC Tower: Phanteks Eclipse P360A in White Steel | 𝗥𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴: ★★★★✩ - I just wish the interior was white too!

• CPU Processor: AMD Ryzen 9 5900X | 𝗥𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴: ★★★★★ - Works great. No issues.

• Power Supply: Antec High Current Gamer Series HCG750 | 𝗥𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴: ★★★★★ - Works great. No issues.

• RAM: [Original Build] (2) G.SKILL V Series 16GB | 𝗥𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴: ★★★★★ - Works great. No issues, but wasn't enough RAM for me. | [Upgraded Build] (2) G.SKILL Ripjaws V Series 64 GB | 𝗥𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴: ★★★★★ - Works great. No issues, but I may upgrade again eventually!

• GPU/Graphics Card: ZOTAC GAMING GeForce GTX 1660 | 𝗥𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴: ★★★★★ - Works great. No issues, but I would upgrade this part eventually.

• Operating System: Microsoft Windows 11 Home | 𝗥𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴: ★★★★✩ - Works fine. Have had issues with windows update previews. Rolled out an update that wasn't compatible with my motherboard and it made the OS slow on my external drive. Other than that- no issues.

• CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 RGB Black Edition | 𝗥𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴: ★★★★★ - Works great. No issues.

• Internal SSD: [Original Build] Team Group MP33 M.2 2280 1TB | 𝗥𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴: ✩✩✩✩✩ - This part was faulty and gave out within about two months of me having my PC. I bought a replacement and that one was also faulty. | [Upgraded Build] SAMSUNG 990 PRO 2TB SSD | 𝗥𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴: ★★★★★ - Works great. No issues. My PC boots up in 7 seconds at most.

• Motherboard: MSI MPG B550 GAMING PLUS | 𝗥𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴: ★★★★★ - Works great. No issues, but I should have gotten the one with wifi included! I didn't know to get it so I have to use a wifi adapter.

• External Hard Drives: (2) SeaGate One Touch 5TB HDD | 𝗥𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴: ★★★★★ - Have ran my OS on it a few times before I got my most recent internal SSD. It's a bit slow, but it got me through two full seasons of Lykaia. Ample amount of storage, so it functions great as just an external storage space.

COMPUTER ACCESSORIES

• Monitors: [DUAL MONITOR SETUP] Acer Nitro 27" in White | 𝗥𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴: ★★★★★ - I love this monitor. It's a great size and really clear. I have it mounted currently, but the stand it came with was really cool. No link because I cannot find it anywhere anymore! I got mine from Target in December of 2024. | Dell S275H 27" Monitor in White | 𝗥𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴: ★★★★★ - I LOVE this monitor so much! It has speakers built into it which is fantastic. It's nice and big. The picture is really clear. I bought it when one of my other monitors broke and was skeptical at first, but it was my favorite purchase this year.

• Dual Monitor Arm: BONTEC Dual Monitor Stand in White | 𝗥𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴: ★★★★★ - Works great. Setup was really simple!

• Microphone: FIFINE Streaming Gaming USB Mic in White | 𝗥𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴: ★★★★★ - Works great, audio sounds nice. I plan on upgrading eventually though.

• Keyboard & Mouse: LETTON Wireless Keyboard Mouse Combo in White | 𝗥𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴: ★★★✩✩ - The mouse is in an uncommon shape, so it has taken some getting used to. I find that it sticks sometimes and is hard to move around. The keyboard is fine, but the spacebar makes a squeaking sound on occasion. I will be buying a nice keyboard and mouse soon.

• Desk Mat: Ysagi Leather Desk Protector in White | 𝗥𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴: ★★★★★ - Cute and simple.

• Bluetooth Adapter: TP-Link USB Bluetooth Adapter | 𝗥𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴: ★★★★★ - Works great. No issues.

• Wifi Adapter: TP-Link - AXE5400 | 𝗥𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴: ★★★★★ - Works great. No issues.

• Headphones: Beats Studio Pro | 𝗥𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴: ★★★★★ - The noise cancellation was odd at first, but I've grown to like it. Really love these headphones. The audio sounds amazing through them.

VIDEO EDITING SOFTWARE

╰┈➤ ADOBE PREMIERE PRO [Used from 2025 - PRESENT.]

𝗣𝗿𝗶𝗰𝗶𝗻𝗴: ~$22.99/monthly as of 6/16/2025.

𝗥𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴: ★★★★✩

𝗦𝗸𝗶𝗹𝗹 𝗟𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗹: Intermediate to Expert.

I made the switch to Adobe Premiere Pro after the Tik Tok ban earlier this year. It was a bit hard for me to navigate at first. I was really intimidated by the interface after switching from CapCut, but I got the hang of it eventually! As I grow and progress in video editing things have gotten a lot easier. I would love if Adobe implemented a more simplified interface similar to the format of Capcut's. I would really enjoy that and being able to personalize my workspace more. Overall, I've been enjoying it! I would really recommend it! I think it's worth learning how to use.

╰┈➤ CAPCUT [Used from 2023 - 2025.]

𝗣𝗿𝗶𝗰𝗶𝗻𝗴: ~$20/monthly as of 6/16/2025.

𝗥𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴:★★★✩✩

𝗦𝗸𝗶𝗹𝗹 𝗟𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗹: Beginner to Intermediate.

When I first started making Lykaia, I used to use the Capcut app on my phone. I'd upload the clips to Dropbox and then import them into Capcut. It was great when I first started out. I made the switch over to the desktop version around the end of season 2. It was similar to the app, so it made it very easy to learn how to use. I enjoyed it for a while until the implementation of all the AI features. They're heavily advertised and often times hard to avoid. Accidentally clicking them was very common. Eventually I felt like there was more of a focus on AI other than the other features that Capcut offered. I don't like AI features. I make the conscious choice to not use them. That's my biggest qualm with it. I wished that they would develop the software a bit more instead; however, I still think it's a great program for beginners. It's very simple. If you aren't used to editing videos, I think Capcut is a good software to start with.

AUDIO LIBRARY

╰┈➤ EPIDEMIC SOUND [Used from 2024 - PRESENT.]

𝗣𝗿𝗶𝗰𝗶𝗻𝗴: ~$9.99/monthly as of 6/16/2025.

𝗥𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴:★★★★★

𝗦𝗸𝗶𝗹𝗹 𝗟𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗹: Beginner to Intermediate.

I have a yearly subscription for Epidemic Sound. $119 a year. That's how much I love it and I swear by it. I used to peruse YouTube to find music and sounds. Most that said they were royalty free- were not. It was always a hassle. Epidemic Sound has been amazing. Originally I thought it was just for music, but they have a massive library of sounds also. Rain, city traffic, busy coffee shops, etc. It has made doing audio for every episode so easy. While I do have a creator code for you to use, this is not an ad. I just genuinely love this program. It's worth the money. Sometimes I will still get a copyright notice from YouTube about a sound, but it never stays for long. I always submit an appeal to let them know I have a license from Epidemic and the claim gets removed. The audios are genuinely royalty free. If you want to get into creating content- regardless of the niche, I would recommend Epidemic. Using my referral link you can get a free trial to the program. I joined the affiliate program just to be able to do that. Please be advised that if you get a subscription using that link after the trial ends I will earn credits for it. You don't have to do that if you don't want to, but for sure take advantage of the free trial. Test it out. See if you like it. I love it. 10/10.

GRAPHICS

╰┈➤ CANVA PRO [Used from 2023 - PRESENT.]

𝗣𝗿𝗶𝗰𝗶𝗻𝗴: ~$15/monthly as of 6/16/2025.

𝗥𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴:★★★★✩

𝗦𝗸𝗶𝗹𝗹 𝗟𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗹: Beginner friendly.

I really like Canva! Again, I don't care to use any of the AI features so it isn't a selling point for me. I just find the interface easy to use and navigate. I love that it has a myriad of templates for different things to choose from. I enjoy it and I plan to continue to use it for a while. I want them to implement a better layering system. I want to be able to multiply or burn layers. That's one of the major things missing from the program. In addition to a downloadable program.

╰┈➤ PROCREATE [Used from 2021 - PRESENT.]

𝗣𝗿𝗶𝗰𝗶𝗻𝗴: ~$12.99 One-time as of 6/16/2025. Only for Apple Products.

𝗥𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴:★★★★★

𝗦𝗸𝗶𝗹𝗹 𝗟𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗹: Beginner friendly.

I love Procreate. I've done digital art for years, so I'm used to using the program. I often use it to create logos for the series. I used it to draw the official Lykaia logo. No notes. It's a perfect program. I use it on my iPad with my Apple Pencil.

FILE HOSTING

╰┈➤ DROPBOX [Used from 2023 - PRESENT.]

𝗣𝗿𝗶𝗰𝗶𝗻𝗴: ~$24/Monthly as of 6/16/2025.

𝗥𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴:★★✩✩✩

Does it work? Well yes. I have a few TB of storage space which is nice, but I don't enjoy paying for Dropbox. I use it to host Patreon episodes for the series and I don't like it. I would like to be able to embed the videos directly into Patreon posts, but I am unable to. I would prefer to host the episodes through a site that would allow me to embed the videos. As an 18+ creator I'm unable to directly upload videos to Patreon, so it creates an extra step for patrons to take. I'm not fond of it.

3D MODELING

╰┈➤ BLENDER [Used from 2023 - PRESENT.]

𝗣𝗿𝗶𝗰𝗶𝗻𝗴: FREE as of 6/16/2025.

𝗥𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴:★★★★★

𝗦𝗸𝗶𝗹𝗹 𝗟𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗹: Beginner friendly.

Version I Use: Blender 4.3

I love Blender! It was really hard to use starting out. You definitely have to learn how to use it by reading and following tutorials. It is worth the effort though! It's such a great program to be free! It's great for making custom content for The Sims 4, but also for making video graphics. I made the break screens for Lykaia and my Ophernelia branding clips directly in Blender. I've also made logos using Blender too! It's not a program you would think to use for video making and content creation, but it is one that is really versatile. I highly recommend it.