I'm gearing up to build my first PC and I've got some questions. My setup includes an RX 7800 XT, Ryzen 7 9800X3D, Gigabyte B850 AORUS Elite motherboard, 32GB of 7000MHz RAM, an NZXT Kraken Elite cooler, two NVMe SSDs (one Gen 4 and one Gen 3), and a Core Reactor II 850W PSU in a Cooler Master HAF 500 mid tower case. Here are my questions:
1. Should I install the power supply upside down as some videos suggest?
2. I have a Corsair Force Series MP510 240GB Gen 3 SSD and a Lexar 2TB NM790 PCIe Gen 4 SSD. Which one should I use for Windows? I intend to use the Lexar for gaming.
3. If I'm not using the Gen 5 M.2 slot on the motherboard, can I leave the heat sink cover on, or should it be removed?
4. Regarding my RX 7800 XT, is it better to use two separate PCI-E 6+2 cables or a single cable with two heads?
5. I've seen that the NZXT Kraken Elite AIO comes with thermal paste pre-applied. Is that enough, or should I add more on the CPU?
2 Answers
1. It really depends on your case's airflow. If there are ventilation holes at the bottom for the PSU fan, face it towards those for better cooling.
2. The difference in performance between the two SSDs will be minimal for Windows. You won’t notice much variation in loading times between them.
3. You can leave the heat sink cover on if you're not using the Gen 5 slot; it's not a must to remove it.
4. It's generally better to use two separate PCI-E cables for the GPU for optimal power delivery, but one cable could work too if you’re in a pinch.
5. The pre-applied thermal paste on your cooler should be sufficient, but if you feel more comfortable applying a bit more, that's fine too! Just be careful not to overdo it!
1. Yes, it often helps with cooling to have the PSU fan facing a vent, just check your case.
2. Either SSD is fine for Windows, you won't see any major differences.
3. Leave the heat sink cover on if you’re not using that slot. It won’t hurt anything.
4. It’s preferable to go with two cables for stability while gaming.
5. The thermal paste they provide is usually good enough!
Thanks for the tips! Good to know the pre-applied paste is usually okay.