Help with a new built. Please!

TonyCarter

VALUED CONTRIBUTOR
Thanks Tony. Apologies for the ignorance, but am I looking at the motherboard? Does this mean that 11 USB is accurate?
Yes, that's a photo of the motherboard from the Asus website.

I've just simply highlighted the USB ports on the back, and the USB headers for the case ports.
 

TonyCarter

VALUED CONTRIBUTOR
So that is enough. I mean, I do not need any more, right? I am overthinking this...
More does not necessarily mean better...as it needs to be balanced. Otherwise you just create noise from over-pressurising the air in the case.

You'll have 3 front intake, 1 rear exhaust and 2 top exhaust, so it's nicely balanced. Of course there may be some fan adjustments needed to get the cooling/temps/noise levels exactly where you need them, but that can't be done beforehand.

...and after saying all that, I've got 6 intake and 4 exhaust, but I've got the 6 intakes on very low speeds so that they're silent but give the same airflow pressure as 3 intakes running at higher speeds. 3 on the bottom blow directly onto the 4090 GPU, and the 3 at the side just bring in air to the whole case (a 6500X case).

The lights on mine (picture is just from initial set-up) are currently set to give me temp warning (blue below 60ºc, yellow to 75º, then red). Only seen them at blue or yellowy-blue so far...and I'll probably change them to a 'prettier' effect once I'm happy I've got the cooling where I want it.

Building Close-Up.jpg
 
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Scott

Behold The Ford Mondeo
Moderator
Spec looks ideal. The only thing I would change is the cooler, I would opt for the 150i, purely for the aesthetic of the case for very little outlay. I wouldn't add any additional fans (as suggested you'll get an exhaust fan regardless) and 11 USBs is correct. Keep note that 3 of them are USB-C though.
 

Scott

Behold The Ford Mondeo
Moderator
H150i selected in the below. Not sure if you need Windows Pro, if you're happy with the extra £25 then fair enough but just wanted to point out as it's a particular set of features in it that most won't use.

Case
CORSAIR iCUE 5000X RGB MID TOWER GAMING CASE
Processor (CPU)
AMD Ryzen 7 7800X3D Eight Core CPU (4.2GHz-5.0GHz/104MB w/3D V-CACHE/AM5)
Motherboard
ASUS® TUF GAMING B650-PLUS WIFI (AM5, DDR5, PCIe 4.0, Wi-Fi 6)
Memory (RAM)
32GB Corsair VENGEANCE DDR5 6000MHz (2 x 16GB)
Graphics Card
16GB AMD RADEON™ RX 7900 GRE - HDMI, DP - DX® 12
Graphics Card Support Bracket
NONE (BRACKET INCLUDED AS STANDARD ON 4070 Ti / RX 7700 XT AND ABOVE)
1st M.2 SSD Drive
512GB SOLIDIGM P44 PRO GEN 4 M.2 NVMe PCIe SSD (up to 7000MB/sR, 4700MB/sW)
1st M.2 SSD Drive
2TB SOLIDIGM P41+ GEN 4 M.2 NVMe PCIe SSD (up to 4125MB/sR, 3325MB/sW)
1st Storage Drive
4TB SEAGATE IRONWOLF PRO 3.5", 7200 RPM 128MB CACHE
Power Supply
CORSAIR 1200W RMx SHIFT SERIES™ MODULAR 80 PLUS GOLD, ULTRA QUIET
Power Cable
1 x 1.5 Metre UK Power Cable (Kettle Lead, 1.0mm Core)
Processor Cooling
CORSAIR iCUE H150i ELITE CAPELLIX XT RGB High Performance CPU Cooler
Thermal Paste
STANDARD THERMAL PASTE FOR SUFFICIENT COOLING
Sound Card
ONBOARD 6 CHANNEL (5.1) HIGH DEF AUDIO (AS STANDARD)
Network Card
ONBOARD 2.5Gbe LAN PORT
USB/Thunderbolt Options
MIN. 2 x USB 3.0 & 2 x USB 2.0 PORTS @ BACK PANEL + MIN. 2 FRONT PORTS
Operating System
Windows 11 Professional 64 Bit - inc. Single Licence
Operating System Language
United Kingdom - English Language
Windows Recovery Media
Windows 10/11 Multi-Language Recovery Image - Unlimited Downloads from Online Account
Office Software
FREE 30 Day Trial of Microsoft 365® (Operating System Required)
Anti-Virus
NO ANTI-VIRUS SOFTWARE
Browser
Microsoft® Edge
Warranty
3 Year Silver Warranty (1 Year Collect & Return, 1 Year Parts, 3 Year Labour)
Delivery
STANDARD INSURED DELIVERY TO UK MAINLAND (MON-FRI)
Build Time
Standard Build - Approximately 4 to 6 working days
Price: £2,282.00 including VAT and Delivery
Unique URL to re-configure: https://www.pcspecialist.co.uk/saved-configurations/amd-am5-pc/Hf0n63Yr6s/
 

psyxologos

Active member
Of course there may be some fan adjustments needed to get the cooling/temps/noise levels exactly where you need them, but that can't be done beforehand.

...and after saying all that, I've got 6 intake and 4 exhaust, but I've got the 6 intakes on very low speeds so that they're silent but give the same airflow pressure as 3 intakes running at higher speeds. 3 on the bottom blow directly onto the 4090 GPU, and the 3 at the side just bring in air to the whole case (a 6500X case).

The lights on mine (picture is just from initial set-up) are currently set to give me temp warning (blue below 60ºc, yellow to 75º, then red). Only seen them at blue or yellowy-blue so far...and I'll probably change them to a 'prettier' effect once I'm happy I've got the cooling where I want it.

View attachment 40870

Thank you for this. It makes sense. I have no idea how to adjust the speed of the fans. Do I do this in BIOS? Similarly, if the fans have RGB capabilities, do I adjust the colour of the light to match the speed of the fan on BIOS or is there a different way to do so?
 

psyxologos

Active member
Not sure if you need Windows Pro, if you're happy with the extra £25 then fair enough but just wanted to point out as it's a particular set of features in it that most won't use.

I was just under the impression that Windows Pro have better protection (firewall, etc) and better functionality. Maybe I am wrong. I will google the difference and educate myself...
 

TonyCarter

VALUED CONTRIBUTOR
I was just under the impression that Windows Pro have better protection (firewall, etc) and better functionality. Maybe I am wrong. I will google the difference and educate myself...
Windows Pro is really for users who know they need network/domain related functions and bitlocker encryption.

W11 Versions.jpg
 

TonyCarter

VALUED CONTRIBUTOR
Thank you for this. It makes sense. I have no idea how to adjust the speed of the fans. Do I do this in BIOS? Similarly, if the fans have RGB capabilities, do I adjust the colour of the light to match the speed of the fan on BIOS or is there a different way to do so?
Your's may come configured perfectly to your usage, or it might not.

So, I'd get the machine first, and then come back and ask for advice.

Same can be controlled by the BIOS, some via motherboard software, and other by specific controller software (e.g. iCUE 5 for Corsair fans/AIOs)...and it's best to use a single option for them all to avoid conflicts.
 

psyxologos

Active member
H150i selected in the below. Not sure if you need Windows Pro, if you're happy with the extra £25 then fair enough but just wanted to point out as it's a particular set of features in it that most won't use.

Case
CORSAIR iCUE 5000X RGB MID TOWER GAMING CASE
Processor (CPU)
AMD Ryzen 7 7800X3D Eight Core CPU (4.2GHz-5.0GHz/104MB w/3D V-CACHE/AM5)
Motherboard
ASUS® TUF GAMING B650-PLUS WIFI (AM5, DDR5, PCIe 4.0, Wi-Fi 6)
Memory (RAM)
32GB Corsair VENGEANCE DDR5 6000MHz (2 x 16GB)
Graphics Card
16GB AMD RADEON™ RX 7900 GRE - HDMI, DP - DX® 12
Graphics Card Support Bracket
NONE (BRACKET INCLUDED AS STANDARD ON 4070 Ti / RX 7700 XT AND ABOVE)
1st M.2 SSD Drive
512GB SOLIDIGM P44 PRO GEN 4 M.2 NVMe PCIe SSD (up to 7000MB/sR, 4700MB/sW)
1st M.2 SSD Drive
2TB SOLIDIGM P41+ GEN 4 M.2 NVMe PCIe SSD (up to 4125MB/sR, 3325MB/sW)
1st Storage Drive
4TB SEAGATE IRONWOLF PRO 3.5", 7200 RPM 128MB CACHE
Power Supply
CORSAIR 1200W RMx SHIFT SERIES™ MODULAR 80 PLUS GOLD, ULTRA QUIET
Power Cable
1 x 1.5 Metre UK Power Cable (Kettle Lead, 1.0mm Core)
Processor Cooling
CORSAIR iCUE H150i ELITE CAPELLIX XT RGB High Performance CPU Cooler
Thermal Paste
STANDARD THERMAL PASTE FOR SUFFICIENT COOLING
Sound Card
ONBOARD 6 CHANNEL (5.1) HIGH DEF AUDIO (AS STANDARD)
Network Card
ONBOARD 2.5Gbe LAN PORT
USB/Thunderbolt Options
MIN. 2 x USB 3.0 & 2 x USB 2.0 PORTS @ BACK PANEL + MIN. 2 FRONT PORTS
Operating System
Windows 11 Professional 64 Bit - inc. Single Licence
Operating System Language
United Kingdom - English Language
Windows Recovery Media
Windows 10/11 Multi-Language Recovery Image - Unlimited Downloads from Online Account
Office Software
FREE 30 Day Trial of Microsoft 365® (Operating System Required)
Anti-Virus
NO ANTI-VIRUS SOFTWARE
Browser
Microsoft® Edge
Warranty
3 Year Silver Warranty (1 Year Collect & Return, 1 Year Parts, 3 Year Labour)
Delivery
STANDARD INSURED DELIVERY TO UK MAINLAND (MON-FRI)
Build Time
Standard Build - Approximately 4 to 6 working days
Price: £2,282.00 including VAT and Delivery
Unique URL to re-configure: https://www.pcspecialist.co.uk/saved-configurations/amd-am5-pc/Hf0n63Yr6s/
Good morning. I am sold. I think this set up you propose is great, and after what both you and Tony mentioned about the windows version I realise I do not really need the Pro edition. Final couple of questions please.

1. I saw a few youtube videos with people explaining some issues they had with AM5 platforms maintaining stability at 6000mhz. I understand that there have been BIOS updates from motherboard manufacturers as well as AMD releasing AGESA (I did not spend much time finding out what this is, I admit) updates, so this is probably not an issue any longer, right? I take it the motherboard and RAM kits are on the QVL (another new thing I learned), isn't it?

2. Since this is an RGB capable built, do I need to actually purchase specific components that will accommodate/enable this functionality? For example, I noticed that the RAM you chose has an RGB equivalent. I take it the fans and CPU cooler are the main RGB enabled parts here, right?

3. I still need a decent Blu Ray rewritter. I think it is best to look for a fast one that will utilize USB 3.2 capabilities. Any advice on one that won't break the bank?

All other things being equal, the built based on the 5000X case comes to £2,257.00 (plus whatever I spent on the Blu Ray rewritter), and the built based on the Fractal Design Pop XL Air RGB comes at £2,306.00 all in (including the Blu Ray rewritter).

Aesthetically they are on par, I think, it's just that the 5000X based built is sorted out by pcspeciallists, whilst the Fractal based built involves me buying from Amazon and having the case sent to pcspecialists to work on. In the case of the second option I am taking all the risk on component compatibility, fit etc, whilst on the 5000X option the onus in on pcspecialists...

Please let me know what you think on the above and I think I am all set. Let me at this stage thank you all for your time and help. It really has been an eye opener...
 

SpyderTracks

We love you Ukraine
1. I saw a few youtube videos with people explaining some issues they had with AM5 platforms maintaining stability at 6000mhz. I understand that there have been BIOS updates from motherboard manufacturers as well as AMD releasing AGESA (I did not spend much time finding out what this is, I admit) updates, so this is probably not an issue any longer, right? I take it the motherboard and RAM kits are on the QVL (another new thing I learned), isn't it?
This was resolved beginning of last year, no longer an issue. There are still stability issues with 4 sticks of RAM sometimes at frequencies above 5600HMz, but this won't affect you.

2. Since this is an RGB capable built, do I need to actually purchase specific components that will accommodate/enable this functionality? For example, I noticed that the RAM you chose has an RGB equivalent. I take it the fans and CPU cooler are the main RGB enabled parts here, right?
Yes, but as they're all mostly Corsair components, they will all be routed through the included Corsair Commander Pro which comes with the cooler and case, and the software that controls it is called iCue

3. I still need a decent Blu Ray rewritter. I think it is best to look for a fast one that will utilize USB 3.2 capabilities. Any advice on one that won't break the bank?
What exactly are you using the BluRay writer for? They're very antequated systems and you may find it's not really suitable for what you're trying to do?

BluRay writers don't require USB 3.2 speeds unless you're writing data,, USB 2 is already more than fast enough. PCS sell a USB BluRay Writer in the configurator.

If that's not suitable, there is a USB 3.1 drive but it's big and bulky and pricey: https://www.scan.co.uk/products/asu...x-write-speed-bdxl-plus-m-disc-support-usb-32
 

psyxologos

Active member
What exactly are you using the BluRay writer for? They're very antequated systems and you may find it's not really suitable for what you're trying to do?

BluRay writers don't require USB 3.2 speeds unless you're writing data,, USB 2 is already more than fast enough. PCS sell a USB BluRay Writer in the configurator.

If that's not suitable, there is a USB 3.1 drive but it's big and bulky and pricey: https://www.scan.co.uk/products/asu...x-write-speed-bdxl-plus-m-disc-support-usb-32
Thank you very much for the answers. The Blu Ray will be used for burning home videos and pictures for family abroad, and the occasional viewing of movies. Nothing too taxing. The higher speed is for when I need to burn a full Blu Ray, so it does not take ages.
 

psyxologos

Active member
I just had a look at what you suggested, and it's 9nly £30 more than the ine on pcs and it's faster. I am not worri3d about it's size. I think I like it...
 

SpyderTracks

We love you Ukraine
Thank you very much for the answers. The Blu Ray will be used for burning home videos and pictures for family abroad, and the occasional viewing of movies. Nothing too taxing. The higher speed is for when I need to burn a full Blu Ray, so it does not take ages.
Consider a Plex server. Far far easier and cheaper. Anyone anywhere in the world can access it on any device and you've got one location to upload videos and photos.

It's also a doddle to set up. You can have it up and running within 30 minutes.
 

psyxologos

Active member
Consider a Plex server. Far far easier and cheaper. Anyone anywhere in the world can access it on any device and you've got one location to upload videos and photos.

It's also a doddle to set up. You can have it up and running within 30 minutes.

Thank you very much. The problem is that on the other side there are 80+ people who sometimes struggle with technology. A disk is easier for them to deal with! ;)
 

SpyderTracks

We love you Ukraine
I will certainly have a look. Thank you for the suggestion. It never crossed my mind...
It's the best piece of consumer software to hit the market in about 30 years.
I use it for media, and photos for my extended family around the world. They can also upload photos themselves straight from their phones. It's all super easy for the user.
 
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