PC Planning
Build Objectives
- “Practically unlimited” budget, though spending has to be within reason. I won’t double the build’s cost just to squeeze 1% more performance.
- This is my current build. I will be reusing many parts.
Components I’ve settled on
I’m already settled on the following components unless there is an objectively better-performing component with no compromises:
- CPU: AMD Ryzen 9950X3D
- Main storage: Samsung 990 Pro 5TB (M.2 NVMe SSD)
- Extra case fans: Appropriately-sized premium Noctua fans.
I will also be reusing my existing components:
- GPU: Nvidia RTX 4090 (air cooled, 337mm long) (TODO: Verify the length?)
- Various existing 3.5”/2.5”/M.2 drives.
Components I’m having trouble picking
CPU Cooler
> Noctua NH-D15 G2 (Air)
> Arctic Liquid Freezer III (AIO)
- 360mm version:
- 420mm version:
- Pros:
- Effectively the best cooler on the market.
- Cons:
- It’s an AIO, so it will be less-reliable and have a shorter lifespan.
Motherboards
General Expectations
- I will expect at least 4 SATA ports.
- I will expect at least 3 M.2 M-key slots.
- I will expect built-in Wi-Fi, though I can survive without it.
- Before purchase, I must check case compatibility.
References:
- These pcpartpicker filters:
- ATX X870/X870E/X670E, but the only boards with >4 SATA ports are expensive X670E boards.
- Expanding to EATX, we find motherboards with 6 built-in ports, but they’re expensive.
- ATX X870/X870E/X670E, but the only boards with >4 SATA ports are expensive X670E boards.
- X870E vs. X870 vs. X670E
> ASRock X870E Taichi Lite EATX AM5
- pcpartpicker
- Pros: It’s an X870E board with 6x SATA ports!
> ASRock X870E Taichi EATX AM5
- pcpartpicker
- It is literally the exact same as its Lite variant. Same components, same performance, same everything.
- You’re literally paying $70 more for a black-and-gold aesthetic.
- Can be worth it if you have a tempered glass build!
RAM
General Expectations
- Must be 6000MHz because of AMD hardware limitations.
- Minimum 2x 32GB kit.
Some references:
Cases
General Expectations
- Supports my existing RTX 4090, which is 337mm.
- Supports at least 2x 3.5” drives. (I do a lot of video work, and sometimes I want to work with huge files!)
- Supports at least 2x 2.5” drives.
- Reasonable thermal performance.
- Must have dust filters or equivalent meshes. Cases with only highly-permissive meshes on the intakes are not desired.
- I’d like a GPU bracket, but realistically, most cases don’t have one.
Some references:
> Fractal Design Define R5
- official site | pcpartpicker
- External 5.25”: 2
- 3.5” / 2.5”: 4 / 2 (using one 5.25” slot, and with the RTX 4090)
- Can fit lots more without the RTX 4090.
- Height: 521mm
- Pros:
- Appropriate for home server conversion.
- Cons:
- Unknown thermal performance. It’s an old-design case with a solid front door. I should find some benchmarks though. And maybe I can brute force it by just adding more fans? The case can support a lot of fans.
- Outdated USB 2.0 front panel.
- The second 5.25” external drive bay is wasted space.
> Fractal Design North XL
- official site | pcpartpicker
- 3.5” / 2.5”: 2 / 2
- Height: 509mm
- Pros:
- Excellent thermal performance.
- Cons:
- Very few drives, and they’re difficult to access once the PC is built.
> Fractal Design Pop XL Air
- official site | pcpartpicker
- 3.5” / 2.5”: 4 / 2
- Height: 520mm
- You’ll need to buy the USB-C port separately.
- Cons:
- No front filter.
> Fractal Design Torrent
- official site | manual | pcpartpicker
- Gamers Nexus
- 3.5” / 2.5”: 2 / 4
- Height: 530mm
- Pros:
- Basically the best thermal performance in the industry.
- Cons:
- Expensive ($320), though it comes with a full set of fans.
> Lian Li O11 Air Mini
- official site | pcpartpicker
- 3.5” / 2.5”: 3 / 2
- Height: 384mm
- Pros:
- The smallest possible case that fits my needs. (It’s a dual chamber case.)
- Cons:
- No front filter.
- GPU Thermals: It’s bad. (source)
- Very tight clearance for some 2.5” drives.
- Poor QC.
> Lian Li Lancool III
- official site | pcpartpicker
- Gamers Nexus | Hardware Canucks
- 3.5” / 2.5”: 4 / ?
- Height: 523mm
- I’m not sure if it comes with enough drive caddies. Check before purchasing?
- Pros:
- It has a simple GPU brace.
- Cons:
- It doesn’t seem to have a front air filter?
> Asus ProArt PA602
- official site | pcpartpicker
- Robeytech
- 3.5” / 2.5”: 4 / 4
- Height: 560mm
- Pros:
- It has a GPU support brace!
- Cons:
- Expensive ($390).
- Incompatibilities:
- Arctic Liquid Freezer III is 38mm thick, but the case only fits 34mm. (source)
Cases (Rejected)
> Fractal Design North
- official site | pcpartpicker
- 3.5” / 2.5”: 2 / 2
- Height: 469mm
- Pros:
- Excellent thermal performance.
- Cons:
- Very few drives, and they’re extremely difficult to access once the PC is built (more than the XL).
- GPU clearance is really tight.
- REJECTED. I would prefer the XL.
> Fractal Design Meshify 2
- official site | (need to search pcpartpicker)
- Gamers Nexus
- 3.5” / 2.5”: 3 / 4
- Becomes 13 / 4 if you remove the RTX 4090!
- Height: 474mm
- Pros:
- Appropriate for home server conversion.
- Cons:
- It’s an older case that’s no longer available for a reasonable price.
- REJECTED. Too unreasonably expensive.
> Fractal Design Meshify 2 XL
- official site | pcpartpicker
- 3.5” / 2.5”: 4 / 4 (Becomes 16 / 5 if you remove the RTX 4090!)
- Height: 566mm
- Pros:
- The best case for home server conversion.
- Cons:
- Too tall. Can’t fit it under my desk.
- REJECTED. Too tall.
PSUs
General Expectations
- 1000W minimum.
- Must be modular.
References:
More References
Purchase List
- JW free shipping, no surcharge via. PayID
- Scorptec $57 courier shipping, paid by Afterpay because it has no surcharge for some reason
- Umart $9 shipping, paid by bank transfer