Hey everyone! I'm in the process of building a new high-end PC, and since it's only my second one, I would love to get your advice and insights. My intended use mostly includes gaming and some light graphic design work, and I want it to handle 4K gaming on the ASUS Rog Strix OLED XG27AQWMG 27-inch monitor.
Here are the parts I've chosen so far:
- CPU: Ryzen 7 9800x3D
- GPU: Planning on getting a 5090, but may switch to a 5080 depending on what Microcenter has in stock.
- Motherboard: MSI Mag X870E Tomahawk WIFI AM5
- RAM: Corsair Vengeance 32GB (2x16GB) DDR5
- Storage: Samsung 990 Pro 2TB Gen 4
- CPU Cooler: Arctic Liquid Freezer III Pro 360 (thinking of mounting it on top of the case)
- Power Supply: Corsair RMe Series RM1000e 1000W, ATX 3.1
- Fans: 3 x 140MM Noctua fans for front intake, 3x 120MM Noctua fans for the radiator on top, and 1 x 140MM Noctua fan at the back for exhaust.
- Case: Fractal North XL (mesh)
I've got a few quick questions as well:
1. How do you feel about using the X870E motherboard? I have a direct ethernet connection, but adding WiFi could be handy if I move. Is it worth it?
2. I wanna mount the Arctic Liquid Freezer Pro III 360 on top—is that feasible, or should I opt for front mounting?
3. Is a 1000W power supply the right choice, or is going overkill for my build? I'm getting this over an 850W for safety.
Thanks in advance for your help! I did some homework beforehand, but I want to make sure I haven't overlooked anything. Cheers!
4 Answers
If you're leaning towards the Fractal North, have you thought about the Antec Flux Pro? It's got some great functionality, and I think it looks even better. As for the Arctic cooler, it should fit nicely on the top in the XL case.
For RAM, aim for a kit with 6000 MHz CL30; Microcenter sometimes has 6000 CL28 kits that are only slightly more expensive. While some folks suggest economizing on RAM, if you're investing in a 5090, you might as well go all out to maximize your setup.
That Tomahawk board is solid for what you're planning. If you're looking to save, consider a B850 version, which should suit most needs without sacrificing performance.
Regarding power supply, the RMx 1000W is a better choice than the RMe; it'll be just fine with the 5090, but stick with the 850W if you opt for the 5080 instead.
I like the Fractal North XL, but I'll check the Antec! Thanks for the RAM advice; I'll definitely take that into account. Seems like I can move to an 850W for the build too. Cheers!
Heads up, the XG27AQWMG is actually a 1440p monitor. Do you already have it? Running 4K on a 27" screen doesn’t really maximize its potential—32" might be better if you haven't bought it yet.
As for the motherboard, you probably won’t need the X870E unless you specifically require those extra PCIe lanes or features like USB 4. If the B850 has everything you need, it will be fine. Performance won't suffer.
And yes, you'll need that 1000W PSU for the 5090—but 850W is good enough for the 5080.
About the cooler: consider looking into a standard thickness AIO from Thermalright; it should fit easily, and the 9800X3D doesn’t need intense cooling solutions to stay cool.
Oh, I might've included the wrong monitor! Noted on the 27" for 4K! I'll update my plans there. Thanks!
Good catch on the monitor choice! 32" makes a lot more sense for gaming.
If I were you, I’d steer clear of liquid coolers. A high-quality air cooler would be sufficient without having to stress over potential problems like leaks or corrosion. It's safer, especially when you've got expensive components—having a liquid cooler hanging around just feels risky to me. I wouldn't trust my luck with it!
Regarding your motherboard, you don't necessarily need one with built-in WiFi. You could easily get a WiFi adapter or a USB stick that works great.
For your case, you can check PCPartPicker to see how others have fitted similar AIO coolers, which could help you decide.
About the PSU, yes—you'll want more watts since your CPU maxes out at about 150 Watts and the 5090 can hit around 575. Better to be on the safe side!
Thanks for the tips! I did check the case on PCPartPicker, reviews say it fits, but the specs from both Fractal and Arctic showed different measurements. Appreciate the heads-up on the WiFi!
Why do you recommend the RMx over the RMe?