Hey everyone! I'm in the process of building my first PC and I'm aiming for something pretty powerful (assuming RAM prices don't break the bank). Here's what I've got so far:
- **GPU:** Radeon™ RX 9070 XT (already purchased)
- **CPU:** AMD Ryzen™ 7 9700X
- **SSD:** Samsung 9100 PRO 4TB PCIe 5.0
- **RAM:** Kingston FURY BEAST 2x16GB DDR5 6000MHz CL30
- **Motherboard:** ASUS TUF Gaming B850-Plus WiFi DDR5 AM5 (still deciding)
- **Power Supply:** CORSAIR ATX 3.1 PCIe 5.1 1000W Gold Efficiency
- **Cooling:** Thermalright Phantom Spirit 120
I have a few questions:
1. My GPU, SSD, and power supply use PCIe 5.0. Do I need a motherboard with at least two PCIe 5.0 slots? Would something like the X870 MAX GAMING be more suitable?
2. Is one fan enough for cooling?
3. Should I go for a mid-tower or full-tower case? I hear that bigger cases might improve airflow, which helps keep the CPU and GPU cooler, but mid-tower cases tend to look nicer.
4. Am I missing anything important? Any compatibility issues I should be aware of?
1 Answer
You don't necessarily need two PCIe 5.0 connections. For your GPU, a PCIe 4.0 x16 slot will work perfectly. You'd mainly want to ensure that the M.2 slot for your SSD is PCIe 5.0 for optimal speed. If you're considering motherboards, I'm a fan of the Gigabyte X870 as it’s competitively priced with the B850.
I appreciate that advice! I meant to ask about case fans. I already bought the CPU fan you mentioned. Do you think that's sufficient, or should I look into more cooling? What cases would you recommend?