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)

• pcpartpicker

> 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.
• 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:

• This pcpartpicker filter

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:

• This pcpartpicker filter

> 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:

• 1000W

More References

• Build samples with the case and cooler

Purchase List

pcpartpicker

• 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

Full Parts List

view on pcpartpicker